Theresa Blair Davis: A Lifetime of Dedication to Safety and Community

In the heart of Bowling Green, Kentucky, a hometown hero is preparing to retire after 44 years of service. Theresa Blair Davis, The Director of Safety and Training at Warren Rural Electric (WRECC), is set to retire in September.

Born in Akron, Ohio, Davis was part of a warm, loving Christian family that eventually moved to Bowling Green. She’s the eldest sibling of six, whose parents instilled in her strong work ethics from their jobs at the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company.

“We were raised in a very warm and loving home,” Davis said with a smile, reminiscing her upbringing.

Davis’s career path began at Firestone, where she worked as a high school student gaining firsthand experience. However, it was in 1980 that the course of her life changed when she joined WRECC as a secretary to the Superintendent of Operations, following the shutdown of the Firestone textiles plant.

“When the plant shut down, I applied for a position at Warren Electric and was hired,” she reminisced, remembering her journey from a senior secretary and switchboard operator to an administrative and dispatch supervisor.

The safety of the company’s 162 employees has always been a paramount concern for Davis. “When I first started, several fatalities happened because of electrical contact accidents. We didn’t have safety controls back then”, she remembers. Davis was grateful for the advancements in safety regulations and devices, saying, “Such incidents are now rare.”

Her faith has played a vital role in her career. “I have a strong core belief in God and was taught to read and study the Bible daily. I believe God gives us all gifts and talents.” she expressed. Her gifts of teaching, administration, organization, and encouraging others have been vital to her career.

Davis stressed the value of community and partnerships, recounting the challenges she faced during the ice storm, when organization and mutual aid between states were vital in restoring power.

With her retirement approaching, she’s excited about her future plans which include spending more time with family and traveling to places like Israel, Ireland, Scotland, and Mexico.

As she wraps up her remarkable career, Davis will be leaving behind a legacy of dedication and passion, acknowledging, “I’ve always cared passionately about people’s safety and development.”

Theresa’s departure from WRECC will indeed be a significant loss for her work community and the Bowling Green community at large.