DURHAM, NC, June 03, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Otis Ronald Chavis has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Born in North Carolina during the time of segregation in America, Mr. Chavis learned at a young age about the importance of hard work. Raised in a poor family by parents who made their living in tobacco factories, his youth was balanced between his formal education under persevering Black teachers who had been determined to help the less fortunate and the development of his work ethic, which began at the age of 11 as a shoe-shiner at a local shoe shop. He was also greatly inspired by his grandmother, Delia Barnett, an ex-slave whose incredible wisdom and life lessons has since been passed onto his own children and grandchildren. Committed to earn his own money and value the work that his parents had put forth to ensure that he had food and shelter, Mr. Chavis continued to garner his own money as a caddy at a local golf course, a position in which he sometimes would carry two bags across 18 holes for $1.50 per bag.
During this time, Mr. Chavis desired to eventually find a job where he could utilize his mind instead of his back, and subsequently flourished in his formal education. However, after graduating Mary Potter High School knowing that he could not attend college due to financial and circumstantial obstacles at the time, he briefly pursued a career in New Jersey before having been called back to North Carolina for drafting in the U.S. Army. So he decided to enlist in the U.S. Air Force as an Aircraft Mechanic. Which he served a year's tour at Da Nang Airbase in the Vietnam War during 1968-69, he was concerned about facing battle as many of his neighborhood friends had passed in combat in the Army, Mr. Chavis seized the opportunity to acquire a skill that could be utilized in civilian life while traveling around the world with the plane to which he was assigned.
Mr. Chavis briefly considered a long-term career with the U.S. Air Force before returning to North Carolina, accepting a post at a government hospital that harbored a behavioral institution. Though the job had good benefits, he was eventually encouraged to continue his academic efforts by a licensed practical nurse while struggling to adjust to post-military life. He enrolled at Durham Technical Community College, from which he obtained an Associate of Arts in business administration in 1972 before enrolling in business administration coursework at North Carolina Central University. Soon thereafter, Mr. Chavis withdrew from his studies to focus on his professional and family obligations.
During this time, Mr. Chavis found success in manufacturing with IBM, advancing from a lower level role before thriving in the business sector of the research and development department. He further excelled with IBM in varying capacities between 1973 and 2010, handling product structure, system analysis, interface liaison work and multiple administrative roles. Upon his retirement in 2010, Mr. Chavis was notably presented with a Letter of Appreciation from the chief executive officer and president of IBM in recognition of his stellar tenure with the company.
Beyond his primary professional responsibilities, Mr. Chavis has been incredibly active in his community, operating as a Little League basketball coach, a board member for Operation Breakthrough, a board member and President for the Mary Potter National Reunion Club and the president of the Durham County School Parent Teacher Association. He has also been associated with the Union Baptist Church of Durham as a member of the church budget committee since 2013. Likewise, Mr. Chavis has been affiliated with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the John Chavis Historical Society, for which he was recruited as a board member.
Attributing his success to his ability to overcome challenges and obstacles, Mr. Chavis has been additionally motivated by the lifelong support of his wife, his colleagues and his mentors. Proud of his ability to respectfully and effectively communicate with IBM plants around the globe, he fondly recalls turning his life around as a civilian following his military service as the highlight of his career. He has also enjoyed parlaying his business skills into his personal life, from completing his own accounting and taxes or participating in the stock market and instilling practices in his household to live comfortably. Looking toward the future, Mr. Chavis hopes to continue cementing his humble legacy in his retirement while devoting his spare time to his church and growing family.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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