Davis to speak at GCC speaker series

IRONWOOD — The Entrepreneurial Center for Innovation and Development at Gogebic Community College is excited to host Rob Davis from the Green Bay Packers for the annual spring speaker series on Tuesday, April 19.

Davis is the Director of Player Development for the Green Bay Packers and spent 12 years playing in the NFL.

During the event, Beth Steiger, a GCC business professor, said Davis will facilitate a number of fun, engaging and educational sessions to students, area businesses and the community during his visit. 

As the director of player engagement, Davis oversees the Packers’ wide range of programs designed to meet the needs of players and their families in today’s NFL. The department provides a framework of assistance within which players and their immediate family members can address the pressures created by daily life and complicated by the demands of playing professional football.

The program is also set up to get players prepared for life after football, and helps players seek educational and vocational opportunities.

Davis also developed a mentorship program, aimed at joining Packers players with community leaders who serve as professional mentors. Davis served as the Packers’ long snapper for 11 seasons (1997-2007) and played 167 straight games in a Green Bay uniform, the third-longest streak in team history. Only Brett Favre (255) and Forrest Gregg (187) played in more consecutive games for the Packers than Davis.  

Steiger said Davis will deliver a luncheon training session on the topic of teamwork to the local business community. The session will focus on teamwork within companies, with other businesses, and with community organizations for greater success.

Additionally, Steiger said Davis will be interacting with students at the college’s Spring Idea Bounce business plan competition. During this annual event, students have the opportunity to pitch their business idea to a panel of judges to win cash prizes. This event is scheduled to begin Monday afternoon at 3 p.m. in the Lindquist Center. This event is open to the public.

 Following the Idea Bounce, Davis will deliver a free presentation entitled “Community Teamwork for Success.”

Steiger said Davis’ discussion will focus on using teamwork to engage and help younger people, to inspire community leadership collaboration and to develop a culture to promote more success and growth in our region.

“Davis’ interactive session will leave you energized and motivated to take initiative, work with others and get involved in making a difference in our community,” Steiger said.

She said audience members will also have the opportunity to ask Davis questions and hear about his experiences with the Packers organization. The community presentation will start at 6:00 p.m. in the Lindquist Center and is a free event open to the public. A social reception at Maplewood steakhouse will follow the evening presentation. 

Steiger said these events have been made possible by a series of contributions from the business community.

Those interested in attending or participating in any of the programs, contact Beth Steiger at Gogebic Community College. She can be reached directly at 906-307-1247.

—Tom Stankard