Following the announcement of his death yesterday from undisclosed causes, Georgia Aquarium CEO Brian Davis is being remembered by friends and colleagues as a caring leader and an advocate for both marine life and for Georgia.
Gov. Brian Kemp’s office released a statement praising the late community leader: “The Kemp family is deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Brian L. Davis. Brian was a strong and valued advocate for marine life and rehabilitation, and he was instrumental in the growth and success of the Georgia Aquarium.”
The statement also noted Davis’ work with the Georgia Tourism Foundation. “As a member of the Georgia Tourism Foundation Board, he also championed our state as a premier destination for visitors.”
Mark Jaronski, Chief Marketing Officer at the Georgia Department of Economic Development, who leads Explore Georgia, the Department’s tourism office, and the Georgia Tourism Foundation Board, echoed those sentiments. ”Dr. Davis was a valued member of Georgia’s tourism community and the Georgia Tourism Foundation Board,” Jaronski said. “His leadership of one of our state’s most iconic attractions and the enduring value his team creates for millions of Georgia travelers leaves a legacy that inspires us all.”
Atlanta was one of the primary beneficiaries of Davis’ work at the world class aquarium, and many who worked with him offered praise for his leadership. “Brian was a tremendous leader at Georgia Aquarium and provided great counsel as a member of our board of directors,” said William Pate, president and CEO, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. “His focus on the customer experience lifted our entire hospitality community.”
District 4 Atlanta City Council member Jason Dozier also highlighted Davis’ commitment to the community in a statement posted on X. “Dr. Davis’s commitment to excellence extended beyond the walls of the aquarium,” Dozier said. “He was a steadfast advocate for community partnerships and outreach, working closely with our District 4 office to foster educational and environmental initiatives that benefited our constituents. His collaborative spirit and dedication to building strong community ties have left an indelible mark on Atlanta.”
Davis was a valued friend and mentor to many of his colleagues. He hired Joe Handy to join the Georgia Aquarium leading visitor services before it opened, recruiting him from the American Museum of Natural History.
“Brian is the whole reason why I moved to Atlanta to be part of the opening team of Georgia Aquarium,” said Handy, former Georgia Aquarium COO and now Clearwater Marine Aquarium CEO. “He convinced me to come down to Atlanta and convinced me about a better life in Atlanta and being part of something great at Georgia Aquarium.”
“We, at @SanAntonioZoo are shocked and saddened by this news,” reads a post on X from Tim Morrow, president and CEO of the San Antonio Zoo. “We send our thoughts and prayers to the team at the aquarium, his family and the communities where Brian had an impact. He was a friend and mentor to me and I will miss him immensely.”
In 2021, Davis was sworn in as the first Black chair of the board of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and his stature in that area was noted by Central Atlanta Progress President A.J. Robinson. “In his career, I think he is revered in the animal management world,” Robinson said. “He had a very warm and engaging style, and the type of laugh of someone who really loved life and loved what he was doing in life,” Robinson said.
