A Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) graduate is moving up at Chick-fil-A Supply after earning an associate degree in Supply Chain Management and Logistics.
Rome native Grant Davis said he became interested in business operations and supply chains because he enjoyed problem solving and driving for results. He completed his program online and graduated in December 2021.
“I enjoy getting to meet new people and working to solve their problems and concerns in a timely manner,” he said. He became familiar with the supply chain process as a teenager while he worked at a small grocery store.
“My dad owned and operated furniture stores, so I grew up around business, inventory procurement and retail operations,” Davis said. “I began my career with Chick-fil-A Supply in July 2019; I started as a warehouse team member and have strived to learn as much as possible while taking on new opportunities.”
Davis started classes at GNTC in 2020 and completed his degree while working full-time. He previously worked at the Chick-fil-A Supply distribution center in Cartersville in operations coordination, supporting daily operations.
About 20 months ago, Davis became a customer service representative in restaurant services for Chick-fil-A Supply, supporting Chick-fil-A restaurants that receive deliveries from Chick-fil-A Supply distribution centers.
In his job, Davis fields calls and requests to fill the needs of local Chick-fil-A Owner-Operators and their team members for daily operations at their stores, he said.
“Service is at the heart of what we do here at Chick-fil-A Supply, which allows the stores that we service to best serve their communities,” he said. “I plan to continue to learn and grow in my career while keeping excellence and service at the forefront of my mind.”
“In Supply Chain Management and Logistics, you deal with a lot of moving parts—literally and figuratively,” said Graceful Beam, director of Online Learning and Development at GNTC. Beam was Davis’s Supply Chain Management and Logistics instructor.
Things go wrong often when least expected, including delayed deliveries, back-ordered parts or weather complications, she explained. Tackling these issues requires a person who can stay calm, think clearly and work the problem without getting flustered—all while maintaining constant communication with vendors, drivers, warehouse teams, corporate offices and others.
Technology changes, procedures evolve, and customer needs shift in this fast-paced field. Davis said his coursework at GNTC provided solid foundational knowledge for this career path.
Davis said he selected GNTC because it was affordable, achievable and directly applicable to his career plans. He continues to be inspired by his instructors’ encouragement to keep an open mind and to never stop asking questions and learning, he said.
Beam said she was impressed by Davis’s initiative, adaptability, attitude and capacity to think both big and small.
“Grant never waited around to be told what to do,” Beam explained. “He was the kind of student who saw what needed to be done and took the lead. Whether it was jumping into a group project or figuring out a process on his own, he was always moving forward, not waiting on permission.”
“Some students focus on the task in front of them and miss how it fits into the larger picture,” Beam said. “Grant was different. He understood how all the pieces worked together, and he asked questions that showed he was thinking strategically. That kind of mindset is rare, and it’s exactly what makes someone valuable in logistics.”
Beam observed that people naturally responded to Davis’ leader demeanor even when he was not in a leadership role because he was steady, respectful and supportive of others.
“Grant doesn’t panic; he just gets to work,” she said. “Grant can keep things professional and positive, even when the pressure’s on.”
“He’s got that combination of intuition, a genuine love of process and natural leadership that sets people apart,” Beam said. “He doesn’t just follow instructions. He understands why things work the way they do and thinks about how they could work better. That kind of mindset, paired with how he carries himself, is exactly what leadership in this field looks like.”
Davis and his wife, Olivia, now live in Rydal, near Cartersville. Olivia earned an associate degree in Radiologic Technology, as well as a diploma and certificate in Human Lactation, at GNTC.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma or a certificate in aviation, business, health, industrial or public service career paths. This past year, 13,775 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. GNTC has an annual credit enrollment of 8,836 students and an additional enrollment of 4,939 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start.
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