Davis Tarwater is a speaker, investor, entrepreneur, and 2012 Olympic Gold medalist as a member of 4 x 200 free relay in the London Games. After a distinguished athletic career that included competing in three World Championships (2005, 2007, and 2009), Davis also held the American record in the 200-meter butterfly (Short course meters) from 2011-2013 and won three NCAA titles at the University of Michigan. He retired from professional swimming in 2012.
In 2013, Davis co-founded Gulfstream Capital, LLC, a private wealth management firm located in Knoxville, TN, where he remains a partner. Currently he is the CEO of DT Capital, a private equity fund designed to develop the southeast as a joint venture with their corporate partner Steamline brands, the fast-growing company in the space, to develop Safesplash swim schools, warm water teaching facilities in retail locations. Additionally, he speaks and consults with athletes, entrepreneurs and businesses on how to effectively engage transition.
He is currently serving as the vice chair of USA swimming, the first athlete to serve in that position. USA swimming is the national governing body for the sport of swimming.
Davis earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Oxford (2010) in Latin American Studies and his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan (2006). During his senior year at Michigan, he was awarded the prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor, given to the University’s top student athlete.
Davis also serves his community by participating on a variety of non-profit boards. He is the Board President of Tennessee Aquatics, the largest swimming club in Knoxville. Additionally in his local community, he serves on the board of the Webb School of Knoxville and the East Tennessee YMCA. Finally, he has served as a member of the USA Swimming Board of Directors, participating on the investment committee and national board of review.
He currently lives in the Knoxville area with his wife, Brittany, a WVLT News Anchor and Multimedia Journalist.