A Final Bow for Maestro Morgan Davis
Morgan Davis served TowneBank for nearly 25 years. He retired at the end of 2022 as CEO.
Our greatest showman took his professional bow as he retired as chief executive officer of TowneBank on December 31, 2022. Morgan Davis has been the company’s most animated champion since our founding almost 25 years ago. He began his career at TowneBank as our Virginia Beach president. He later became the first president and CEO of Towne Financial Services where he successfully constructed the foundation of a group of diversified businesses including Towne Insurance, Towne Realty, TowneBank Mortgage, Towne Wealth Management, Towne 1031 Exchange, TowneBank Commercial Mortgage, and Towne Vacations.
Morgan’s unparalleled energy level accompanied by a brilliant mind proved invaluable during his tenure at Towne. As executive chairman Bob Aston shared in his Chairman’s Report, “Morgan has a unique ability to translate ideas and concepts drawn from a highly diverse range of sources to an action plan that always delivered value to our company. Additionally, he is one of those people we encounter in life’s journey who leaves a lasting impression on our hearts while always having a positive impact on all of those around them.”
Bob Aston, Executive Chairman, gives a heartfelt speech about his longtime friend Morgan Davis during his retirement celebration.After graduating from Old Dominion University in 1972, Morgan began his career in banking with First and Merchants Bank. In 1985, he became founding president and CEO of Princess Anne Commercial Bank, before joining the founding team at TowneBank. He was named president of the bank in 2011 and became CEO in 2018.
His TowneBank family gathered to celebrate him in March, where his world-famous backup singers, the Morganettes, joined him on stage for a special rendition of “TowneBank Girls” (with apologies to Billy Joel). Longtime friends shared stories of Morgan’s adventures throughout the years, including work trips that inevitably ended with songs around pianos that seemed to appear out of nowhere.
Well-known around Hampton Roads and in his beloved hometown of Virginia Beach, Morgan has left his mark on many local charities and nonprofit boards, including Physicians for Peace and Goodwill. Named Virginia Beach Citizen of the Year in 2017, he also served as King Neptune in 2005 and was instrumental in efforts to build the King Neptune statue on the Virginia Beach boardwalk.
While the curtain may be closing on his executive career, he will continue his gig as the Tuesday night pianist at The Historic Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach. Additionally, he looks forward to wide-ranging travel with his wife Sheri and being a doting father and grandfather to his 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Congratulations, Morgan! We’ll see you at the next cabaret!