Davis, a standout safety in the early 1990s when the Florida State Seminoles were annually in the hunt for the national football championship, has also served as president of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida and once held a leadership role at the Republican Party of Florida.
Davis grew up in Pahokee and earned a political science degree from FSU. He drew national attention in 1990 when he intercepted a pass near the end zone with three minutes left as the Seminoles defeated Penn State 24-17 in the Blockbuster Bowl.
The secretary position has been vacant since January, when Randall Hunt resigned abruptly after less than two months in the job that paid $142,000 a year. The Orlando Sentinel reported a background check on Hunt turned up an allegation of domestic violence.
Davis will take over an agency that has more than 400 employees and produces more than $6 billion in sales a year. Because of the coronavirus, the agency recently reopened to the public but only through appointments.
“The Florida Lottery’s mission to maximize support for public education is closely aligned with my work over the years in the greater Orlando community to support our youth and students and help them achieve their dreams,” Davis said. “I look forward to furthering this mission at the Lottery and working with elected officials and our business partners to meet our education and sales goals.”
Davis has been with the Orlando chamber since January 2018. He worked for the state Republican Party after being part of now-Congressman Charlie Crist’s successful 2006 gubernatorial run. Crist at the time was a Republican but is now a Democrat.
Davis later was external affairs director for the state Department of Children and Families.
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