Garland Davis

A Wythe County native who graduated from Frank Beamer's alma mater, Carroll County High School, Garland Davis said he caught the Hokie spirit early. 

Davis received his master's degree in Mining and Minerals Engineering from Virginia Tech in 1986, doing his thesis on coal preparation and ultra-fine coal slurries under the supervision of Professor Emeritus Greg Adel and University Distinguished Professor Roe-Hoan Yoon. Davis received his bachelor's degree in geology at James Madison University. 

Today Davis is the senior regional sales manager for Metso Outotec USA, with a focus on processes and equipment required recovery of base and precious metals from hard rock mining operations in the western U.S.

He has also provided leadership in capital equipment sales, services sales, and technical sales support roles with FLSmidth and GE/ABB. Much of his early career focused on engineering responsibilities with producing companies including Barrick, FMI, and Newmont, along with a select listing of other major and mid-tier operators. His work has taken him to every continent except Antarctica.

Davis is an active member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, serving at the local, national, and international levels. He currently is past chair of the Mineral and Metallurgical Processing Division and leads efforts in scholarship funding, member engagement, and workforce initiatives. In this role, he enjoys working with Associate Professor Aaron Noble.