(This is one of 20 profiles on the recipients selected by an anonymous committee out of an extensive list of nominees for the 2023 Rising Lincoln Leader Award. The Lincoln Parish Journal thanks Mayor Ronny Walker and the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for their support of this award).
_____________________________________________
Name: Tori Davis
Age: 29
Employer: Experience Ruston
Title: Director of Marketing and Communications
Hometown: Shreveport
How long have you lived in Lincoln Parish: 8 years
Civic-volunteer organizations: United Way NELA, Ruston Cultural District
Professional Highlights: Downtown Ruston Wine Walk – I am still super proud of starting the Wine Walk event in Downtown Ruston during my time as Main Street Director. Nothing filled my cup quite as much as seeing 500+ attendees walking through downtown and going into local businesses they might not have normally visited. The patrons loved it, the business owners loved it, it was such a win for the downtown community. And it continues to be a staple of the Downtown Ruston calendar of events. Louisiana Peach Festival – I am also very proud of what the Convention & Visitors Bureau and Downtown Ruston have accomplished with the Louisiana Peach Festival over the last three years. We were able to open the festival up to the community for most of the event, highlight local artists and performers, and set record numbers for festival attendance year-after-year. It has been such a major accomplishment for our small festival planning team. The Bulldog Project – The Bulldog Project has been one of the coolest projects to be involved in throughout the years. From working with the artists on the execution of the pieces, to placing them around town before dawn, to then auctioning them off as a major fundraising event for the Ruston Cultural District. It’s been an honor to be involved in the evolution of this project.
Amy Stegall on Tori Davis: Tori served as an intern for the CVB when she was in graduate school at Louisiana Tech. I’m pretty sure the second she stepped foot in Lincoln Parish, she became a force for good here. I’ve known Tori since the tornado in 2019. She was then the Main Street director for the city of Ruston. We quickly became good friends and then in May of that year, about a month after the tornado, we became coworkers. Tori’s biggest strength is vision and organization. She has the ability to see something in the big picture and the skill it takes to bring it to fruition. Whether it is an event, a marketing campaign, or an out-of-the-box idea, Tori is always able to get it done beautifully. Tori’s presence is an invaluable asset to any team she collaborates with. Working together on numerous projects for downtown, it’s evident how integral she was in the planning process. One standout example of her immense value is the Cultural District Bulldog Auction, where her contributions made a significant impact. Not only does she work tirelessly, but she also inspires and supports others, making the work environment both productive and enjoyable. Another remarkable instance of her dedication was during our joint efforts for the Peach Festival. Despite being in a different roll last year and serving as a volunteer, Tori’s commitment to our shared goal never wavered. She consistently puts the welfare of our community at the forefront of her priorities, making her an exceptional individual. Tori’s strong work ethic shines through as she goes the extra mile, even staying up late to ensure tasks are completed on time. Her dedication and unwavering determination to get the job done make her an extraordinary team player.
Q&A with Tori Davis:
What makes Lincoln Parish special?
My very first week when I moved to town, I remember walking around Downtown Ruston and thinking “this place is special.” You could just feel a true sense of community. Since then, I’ve seen it in action so many times. Businesses collaborating together and supporting each other. Neighbors showing up with chainsaws after a tornado. Friends singing Christmas carols under the twinkling lights in Railroad Park. It’s a feeling I’ve never found in any other place I’ve called home. At the end of the day, the people of Lincoln Parish truly live out the rule to “leave it better than you found it.”
How do you see your role in improving Lincoln Parish?
I’m so blessed that my job at Experience Ruston is to help develop and promote Ruston and Lincoln Parish as a destination. It allows me to have a hand in showcasing our incredible local businesses, planning cultural events, finding opportunity for community partnerships, and dreaming up ways to make the area even better. There have been generations of people who have helped push Lincoln Parish forward, while maintaining that sense of community pride that feels so unique to this area. Now I view it as my responsibility to give my time and talents to this community so that it can continue to thrive. This feels especially important now that we’re raising a family here.
Who has played a pivotal role in your professional development and why?
The list of people who have played a significant role in my professional development is a long one; but if I had to pick just one person, it is without a doubt Amanda Quimby Carrier. Amanda has been a sounding board and mentor for me throughout every phase of my professional career. She gave me guidance and support when I was her marketing assistant back in 2015, and she continued to advise me as I began my career in marketing. The last several years she has mentored me while I found the right fit for me career wise. I am thankful that I now get to work on her team and directly under her leadership. She’s a powerhouse and I’ll always be thankful for her mentorship.
