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R. K. Davis Construction staff in front of the 46,800 s.f. Total Truck Parts building project in Port St. Lucie.
Richard K. Davis Construction: History with a Strong Future
Mr. Richard K. Davis
When Richard K. Davis ran away from his West Virginia home at 15-years old in 1945, he made his way to South Florida, traveling through Fort Pierce. Though he eventually returned home to West Virginia, Florida kept calling his name. After graduating from West Virginia University, marrying his high school sweetheart, Nancy, and being awarded a Purple Heart for his service in the Korean War, he moved his young family to Fort Pierce in 1958. Richard founded Richard K. Davis Construction Corporation in 1960 and, after 64 successful years, the company has become a professional and philanthropic leader on the Treasure Coast.
Richard’s son Douglas joined the company in 1980 after receiving his degree from the University of Florida. In 1997, when Richard retired, Douglas assumed the second-generation position of company President and steered the company through a new era utilizing his more than forty years of business experience. Douglas completed many notable projects during his tenure: the Humane Society of St. Lucie County, Expert Shutters in Port St. Lucie, and Palm City Presbyterian’s Huizenga Family Life Center in Jensen Beach.
Richard and Douglas were joined by associate Roger Priest in 1989. Roger grad-uated from Clemson University and used his technical training in design to assist with the company’s many design/build construction projects. With Douglas’ retirement in 2021, Roger continues as the company’s President. Some of Roger’s recognizable projects include Westside Church’s grand 1,740 seat sanctuary, more than 350,000 s.f. of plant expansions for Pursuit Boats over the span of four years, Maverick Boat Group’s expansion in 2021, and Trinity Episcopal Church in Vero Beach.
The R. K. Davis Construction volunteer crew helped rebuild the Jaycee Park on Fort Pierce South Beach.
The company’s future continues to look bright with the next incoming generation of family! Dalton Smith, Douglas’ son-in-law, joined the company in 2019 and has already tackled significant construction projects like the 46,800 s.f. Total Truck Parts, a classroom building expansion for Christ Lutheran School in Port St. Lucie, and several projects for John’s Island Club in Indian River Shores. Armed with a business administration degree from Florida Tech, Dalton will prove to be an asset to the company, guiding us with his business knowledge into many more prosperous years.
Brian “Andy” Chambliss, another soon-to-be son-in-law, joined the company in 2021 and hit the ground running. Andy took on long-time client Whole Family Health Center completing many projects in both Fort Pierce and Vero Beach. Andy, with a degree in biochemistry, gained a love for construction through past experience in building and maintaining cell towers. Current projects include a golf maintenance facility for McArthur Golf Club and an expansion for Prodim Systems in St. Lucie County.
Richard K. Davis’ grandson, Nathan, graduated from Florida Tech with a construction management degree and joined the company last year. Nathan currently assists the other project managers while gaining great experience through their tutelage. He is already slated to manage his own projects in 2024.
The company’s future continues to grow stronger with each new generation of project managers and administrative staff.
P. O. Box 186, Fort Pierce, Fl 34954
