Jason Davis is up at 4 a.m. seven days a week. By the time most of Fort Walton Beach is pouring its first cup of coffee, the city manager has already showered, worked out and started on his inbox. Just don’t offer him the coffee. His one daily indulgence is a Sour Apple C4.
Born in Colorado and raised in South Florida, Davis came to the area for the city manager job. His career in local government started far from the spotlight, as a county card access administrator, and grew into construction management, utility operations and anything else he had the gumption to learn.
These days, he’d rather be out at city properties watching his team in action than sitting behind a desk at City Hall.
In this edition of How I Work, sponsored by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, Davis talks about his “nobody waits on me” rule, the late-night lesson that taught him to stand up for his team and why he has the Chamber’s new logo tattooed on his right knee.
Are you a lifelong local? If not, where are you from originally and how did you end up in the area?
I am originally from Colorado but grew up in South Florida. I came to the area for the city manager role.
What’s your current job title and where do you work?
City manager, City of Fort Walton Beach. My office is in City Hall.
What’s your morning routine?
I wake up at 4 a.m., take the hottest shower possible to get my bones to wake up, take my vitamins and creatine, and do a feeder workout (arms or shoulders, rotating daily), then a protein bar and C4. Seven days a week.
Describe what a typical workday looks like for you.
I use my Outlook calendar for everything. If it’s not on my calendar, I will forget. Some days I meet with council, and any citizen who wants to meet gets placed on the calendar. I try to get out to see our properties so I get to see the team in action and get eyes on our stuff. I’m in around 6:30 a.m., check emails, then attend meetings or go out into field ops. I am not a sit-in-the-office type of person.
What’s the first thing you do when you get to work (or start your workday)?
Check emails. I email myself all night long so I don’t forget to check certain things. Every day is a blur. I usually start by 6:30 a.m., and before I look up, it’s after 4 p.m.
What tools, apps or gadgets can’t you live without?
I check my email about 73,000 times a day, so I always have my phone, Apple Watch and laptop nearby. I have a “me” rule: Nobody waits on me for anything, so I’m super responsive to emails and text messages.
Apple or Android?
Apple, but I miss the BlackBerry days.
What’s your go-to coffee (or tea) order?
I do not dig on coffee. I allow myself one C4 Sour Apple a day, but would totally drink 20.
What’s your go-to lunch spot or work snack?
I usually eat tuna and eggs in my office, but Chicken N the Egg makes me nine scrambled eggs with avocado and English muffins, and that is wonderful.
What’s one local business you love supporting?
I try to support every business that is not a franchise-type business: the unique restaurants on Brooks Street, the pontoon dolphin tours, Wooden Nickel Barbershop.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
Stand up for your team when it’s the right thing to do.
The greatest learning moment of my career involved a hotel guest complaining about one of my team members. Rather than stand up for him, I took the easy way out and apologized to the guest. The guest then went on a 30-minute rant about how my coworker should be fired and demanded free room nights and complimentary meals for the duration of his stay.
I had to call the CEO at 10 p.m. and explain the situation. The CEO calmly walked over to the hotel, called the guest and simply stated, “You will not speak to my staff in that manner, you will not be gifted any room nights or dining experiences, and you will be asked to leave immediately if you behave like this during the remainder of your stay.”
I was all of 19 years old, so it was a great learning experience. I not only let my coworker down by not standing up for him, but I also shifted my responsibilities to the CEO because I was not ready for that moment.
If you could give your 20-year-old self a piece of advice, what would it be?
Figure out how to have a better work-life balance. County and city administration is demanding of your time, and I do not know how or have the ability to step away. I’ve missed my kids’ birthdays and anniversaries, stepped out of many date nights, missed family get-togethers and so much more because I cannot turn off my brain for work. My family and friends deserve better.
How do you unwind after a long day?
I’m a TikTok junkie. The dumber, the better, so I can laugh away whatever the day brought me.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
People are most shocked to learn that I grew up playing soccer instead of football. I don’t even know the rules to football, which, oddly enough, infuriates people. I haven’t watched a football game since I was in middle school, but I get down with some World Cup action.
What’s your favorite local event or tradition?
I am not a parade person in any capacity, but watching how much people enjoyed the Christmas parade last year was super fun for me. Otherwise, the only thing I do is go to a Tampa Bay Rays game every year with my dad and uncles.
What’s inspiring you right now (book, podcast, person, hobby)?
Any Augie Garrido clip. I can watch them repeatedly for hours.
Early bird or night owl?
Early bird. I serve no purpose past 8 p.m.
Most used emoji?
Flexed bicep.
Music while working — yes or no? (And if yes, what’s on your playlist?)
Yes, I need the white noise to focus. Metal is my favorite genre, but I dig on a little of everything.
Favorite motivational quote?
“Nobody cares. Work harder.”
Standing desk or sitting? Mix?
Sitting. I exceed the maximum weight limit to stand on my feet for too long.
If you could give any advice to someone getting into the same field as you, what advice would you give?
Tough question. When I got into government, I felt like I was actually making a difference in my community. My job was boring. I started as the card access administrator and architect of the master keying philosophy for the county. Then I was able to learn construction management, utility operations and anything I had the gumption to learn. I genuinely enjoyed learning new stuff and giving back to the community.
Now, the political environment has turned ugly. Just working in government makes me the bad guy to a large portion of the community. So, I’m not sure I would recommend getting into this line of work unless you can wear the mean comments. Avoid social media at all costs; it will damage your calm on a nice day.
The best thing about my role is helping others fulfill their professional goals, and I still feel like I can make a positive impact in the community. So, weigh this career path carefully. If at all possible, avoid government and become a rock star or professional athlete.
Are you a member of the FWB Chamber of Commerce?
The city has had a membership with the Chamber for many years; however, this year, the Chamber graciously waived its membership fees due to some budget shortfalls we are navigating. However, I think I am an honorary mascot because I got their new logo tattooed on my right knee. Ted gave out temporary tattoos celebrating their rebranding, but I don’t do temporary. All in or all out, and I am all in.
Anything we missed that you want to add?
I’m always out in the community, so if anyone wants to dice up city business, just grab me and it shall be so.
