CONWAY — John W. Bachmann, senior partner for Edward Jones, will present the inaugural Davis Family Lecture on Feb. 25 on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas.
The Davis Family Lecture Series highlights prominent business men and women from across the country.
The lecture will being at 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium in the College of Business.The business lecture series is the result of a generous gift from the Davis family of Conway. Milton and Claudia Davis, along with their son and daughter-in-law, Granger and Jan (Preuitt) Davis, committed $50,000 last year to endow the Davis Family Lecture Series and the Davis Faculty Enhancement Fund. The enhancement fund will be used to support professional development opportunities such as continuing education, travel, research and conferences for faculty members in the College of Business.
“We are very fortunate and appreciative of the continued generosity of the Davis family” said Dr. Pat Cantrell, dean of the College of Business. “As pillars of the UCA and Conway communities, they are generous with both their time and financial support. The College of Business is lucky to have such dedicated and passionate alumni.”
Bachmann began his career at Edward Jones as a part-time college intern in 1959. He worked his way up through the ranks, gaining experience in strategic planning, corporate finance and technology. In 1980, Bachmann succeeded Edward D. “Ted” Jones Jr. as managing partner of Edward Jones. Bachmann built upon Mr. Jones’ philosophy of serving the needs of individual investors. During Bachmann’s tenure, Edward Jones grew from 200 offices in 28 states to more than 9,000 offices throughout the U.S. as well as its affiliates in Canada and the United Kingdom.
In December 2003, Bachmann stepped down after 24 years as managing partner to become senior partner.
Bachmann has been involved in several organizations. He is currently active in the Canadian Honorary Consul in Missouri; is a emeritus trustee of Wabash College; chairman of the Board of Visitors of the Peter F. Drucker Center and trustee of the Claremont Graduate University; trustee of Washington University in St. Louis; Senior Council Board Member of United States Chamber of Commerce; director of AMR Corporation; American Airlines Inc., director of The Monsanto Company and director of Missouri Baptist Medical Center.
His has served as chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (2004-05); chairman of the Executive Committee of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (2005-06); campaign chairman of the United Way of Greater St. Louis (2002); chairman of the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (2000-02).
Bachmann received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Ind., and an MBA in finance from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. He is the recipient of an honorary doctor of laws from Wabash College and an honorary doctor of arts from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
“We are delighted to have Mr. Bachmann as the speaker for the inaugural Davis Family Lecture Series,” Cantrell said. “Given the Davis’ long tradition of business in downtown Conway, I couldn’t imagine a more perfect speaker. Mr. Bachmann’s experiences throughout many sectors of business will be valuable compliments to what our business students are learning in the classroom.”
