Jame' Davis: 'Why not?'

Jame' Davis acquired her spunk from her upbringing.

Davis, recently promoted from membership director to vice president of tourism and membership at the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce, is the youngest of four girls.

"I fought for everything I wanted from attention to bathroom space growing up," she said. "My older sisters have given me great guidance and inspiration my whole life, and still do to this day."

"Going for it" was instilled in Davis at a young age.

"I tried out for both football and wrestling as a kid and it wasn't until I didn't make the cut that I realized it was time to move on to soccer and basketball," she said. "I always have carried the philosophy of 'Why not?'"

Davis moved to Post Falls about five years ago from the Boise area when her husband Ryan, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County, was hired here.

"We have many fond memories of southern Idaho, but with a great opportunity we made the leap and have never looked back," she said.

Davis grew up in Lewiston - she says she's a "valley girl" at heart - and she and Ryan lived in Sedona, Ariz., for two years before moving back to Idaho.

"We missed seasons and green grass," she said.

How else are you involved in the community and why?

I am on the board of directors for the Post Falls Library Foundation. I am really proud to see how we can positively impact our community through supporting the current state of excellence at the Post Falls library. I am also on the leadership team with Heart of the City Church. This is a church of people who want to see lives changed for the better, and do something about it. Whether it is meeting a need in the community, or praying for our local leaders, they make it happen.

You're also involved in the Boys and Girls Club. Was that nonprofit a part of your upbringing as it was with a lot of volunteers and staff?

I grew up going to a Boys and Girls Club (Lewis-Clark Valley). This is where a great deal of my character was developed, I learned how to win and to lose. This was a place that kept me busy and out of trouble. I love to give back to an organization that gave me so much when I most needed them.

With Ryan also being involved in a community position, do you guys work together in some ways or is it best to keep a distance in that regard?

We refer to our family as "Team Davis." This is a mindset that we have whether it is raising our children or making a major life decision. Because we are a team we are very like-minded, and we have the same goals for our family and our community. We are involved in many of the same organizations, but we also have separate causes. We actually work very good together, we know each other's strengths and weaknesses, and complement each other well. All our good disagreements generally take place in committee meetings.

Why do you like being on staff at the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce?

I believe in our mission and the work that we do for the business community. If I didn't work here, I would still be an active volunteer.

What has being on the chamber's staff been like?

I joined the Post Falls Chamber team about 16 months ago as the membership director. I love being a part of this organization because I am given the freedom to really dream and develop new ideas. I thrive in a goal-oriented environment, so this has been a great fit for me with the vision and the direction of our chamber.

Why were you interested in the new position of VP of tourism and marketing?

This is a perfect combination of what I love to do, and what I am good at. I believe our CEO Pam Houser recognized my passion and skillsets and developed this position accordingly.

What are your ideas/goals for the position?

In regard to tourism, our primary goal is to be awarded our full tourism grant we presented in early May at the Idaho Travel Council meeting. This will ensure that we can maximize the impact we have for not only our tourism partners, but our entire community. As for marketing, we are always looking for additional ways to provide benefits for our members, and to stimulate the local economy. It is fun to be able to help market so many great businesses.

Why do you think Post Falls is different and/or unique in terms of tourism as a community?

When our family first moved here, I really took the approach of being a tourist to get to know the area. It is like a little hidden gem, with so much to offer. From having first-class rock climbing, to an award-winning shooting range, we really run the gamut as far as things to do. Our visitor center is just fabulous, and has almost tripled in the amount of traffic through the doors in the last two years. I posted a poll on Facebook just last week - "Why do you love Post Falls?" - and it was enlightening to hear all the reasons people listed. This is probably why our population continues to increase each year. As Post Falls grows, tourism grows.

Do you think there's areas where Post Falls could really grow in terms of tapping into tourism or has it reached its potential in that area? What are areas where Post Falls could tap into with tourism?

There is a misconception about what tourism is. There are many businesses that bring 20 to 40 out-of-town guests to our city every week that might not consider themselves in the tourism industry, but they really are. When people come into town to go to a specific business, they stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, buy gas and shop right here. In the past, Post Falls was a stop between Spokane and Coeur d'Alene, but we are really making a name for ourselves and are on people's radar of places to stay and play. We have a great tourism committee made up of business professionals who believe in collaborating with our neighboring cities to best represent North Idaho to visitors from around the region. This committee works very well together, sharing ideas, marketing dollars and resources so that all of us can benefit from each dollar spent here.

In this tough economy, is being a chamber member a tough "sell?" Why or why not?

I always cringe when people refer to me as a "sales person" for the chamber. I love to invite people to attend a chamber event as my guest. I believe by them having that "Post Falls experience," they understand what sets us apart from other organizations. In regard to the economy, sure some businesses feel like their chamber membership is not a necessary expense, but I have seen some of those same people re-engage because they realize the value. I guess for some, you just don't know what you have until it is not there anymore. It is hard to put a price on referrals, relationships and advocacy.

How many chamber members are there?

Right around 450 members. We continue to grow the membership and focus on retaining our current members. I believe there is great power in a person's testimony, and our members are our greatest tools for building our membership base. They love our staff, board of directors and the personal touch we all infuse.

What are some common falsehoods about the chamber that need to be clarified? Any?

Many people think that we are an arm of the city or even the state. We are not. We are a nonprofit funded in full by business members, fundraisers and community donations. We have a small staff of four, including myself, that work with dozens of volunteers to provide professional services, programs and events to our customers each month.

Why is being a chamber member a good deal?

We have a benefit guide that lists out the benefits of membership, and the value associated with these benefits, but to be honest I feel like a Post Falls Chamber membership is priceless. We are an extension of these businesses, we work on their behalf, and even if they never attended a single event throughout the year, it would still be a great value because of this service. We provide opportunities to build relationships through business and community partnerships for the success of all. We have something to offer every business in Post Falls, big or small.

Can you share any personal experiences you've had at the chamber or from living in the community so far that make it a great place to work and live?

Post Falls is by far the most generous community I have ever lived in. Whether it is a large gala, or a small fundraiser to help a local family in need, the community comes together and gives. Oftentimes, the large businesses or very wealthy families are the ones to carry the burden, but that is just not the case in Post Falls. This is a city full of big-hearted people. I am proud to call it my home.

Date of birth: March 25, 1973

College: Lewis-Clark State College, bachelor's in business and communications

Family: Husband Ryan, two children, Emily, 13, Sam, 11

Number of hours on average you work in a week: 30-40

Number of hours on average you sleep in a night: I like to call it "recovery" so I try to get at least 8, but I love 9.

Hobbies: Cooking, training and participating in triathlons, volunteering, and apparently sleeping

Favorite author: David Sedaris

Favorite book: "Wild at Heart" by John Eldridge. This book helped me to understand that my son would not always be clean, he might get a bruise in his lifetime, and that he needed and craved adventure. And, as a mom, you have to learn to trust God and just let go. He knows what He is doing.

Favorite spectator sport: I love to be a spectator at my family's events, whether it is my husband competing in Ironman, my son running cross country or my daughter playing volleyball. But I do really love a good basketball game.

Favorite type of music: I am pretty random, anything from Edith Piaf to Johnny Cash.

Quality you admire most in a person: A commitment to excellence

Best advice you ever received: "Do one thing every day that scares you." This causes me to push past limits that I would normally set for myself.

Any one thing you consider your greatest accomplishment: Having a happy and healthy family.

Historical figure you most admire: My father-in-law, Don Davis. He is only 60 (does that make him historical?), but as far as someone I admire he takes the cake. From being elected a county commissioner, to starting several businesses, he takes calculated risks and follows his passion and dreams. Maybe when I grown up I can be just like him.

Any one person who most influenced your life and why: My husband, Ryan Davis. We have been married for more than 16 years and in that time he has been my biggest cheerleader, supporter, counselor and partner. He challenges me in every area of my life, and makes me laugh until I cry. He was a good catch.