Congratulations to Volunteer of the Quarter, John Davis, a volunteer driver for Salinas clients and newly appointed board member for the second quarter fiscal year 2025-26! John began volunteering with Meals on Wheels Salinas Valley delivering meals in January 2021.  He shared that “I was looking for opportunities to support the local community as we began to emerge from COVID.  Both my grandmother and my husband's mother had volunteered with Meals on Wheels in their respective communities, so, I was familiar with the mission and it seemed like a great place to plug-in.”  

John’s favorite part of being a volunteer with MOWSV is how much he loves seeing the clients on his meal delivery route.  “I always joked with friends that my dream retirement job would be as a Fedex or UPS delivery driver where people are always happy to see you,” said John.  “It's the same with Meals on Wheels, although I don't get a uniform!”  In addition to the clients on his route, John enjoys the interactions with the other volunteers and staff.  He feels that their professionalism and dedication to the mission are so appreciated and make his volunteer experience even richer.

John was busy in his career when he began volunteering with MOWSV in 2021, making the decision to retire in 2025.  He shared two main chapters to his financial career.  For the first 16 years of his career, John worked in various roles as CPA, auditor, and financial management of for-profit companies.  Then, from 2001 until his retirement in 2025, he was able to utilize his financial skills and experience in various financial management roles at non-profit organizations focused on social and environmental change.  During this time, John worked as Chief Financial Officer at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Controller of The Trust for Public Land - a national environmental organization based in San Francisco, Controller at Monterey Bay Aquarium, and finally Senior Director of Finance at Nia Tero Foundation - an international environmental organization based in Seattle.  

John grew up on a farm in Southern Illinois and graduated from University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.  He’s lived in many places throughout the United States including St. Louis, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and most recently Corral de Tierra, where he moved with his husband, Bob Kovacs, in 2018.  John was married to Bob for 20 years until his passing in October, 2024.  Bob also volunteered with Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley.  John said “I love spending time with Bob's three siblings, five nieces and nephews, and four great-nieces and nephews!  My most recent dog, the almost 15-year-old Cody (the best corgi ever), crossed the rainbow bridge in August, 2025.”

In addition to John’s volunteer activities, he enjoys biking, cooking for friends and travelling both internationally and in the US.  “I've participated in the AIDS LifeCycle ride 7 times - riding from San Francisco to Los Angeles - to raise money for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation,” said John.  “One of the highlights of 2025 was a 5-week-long cross-country drive (and back), visiting friends and family along the way,” he stated.  Other highlights of his trip included seeing Diana Ross in concert, visiting the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone and Badlands National Parks, and the Baseball Hall of Fame - Go Giants!

Thank you, John, for the time and energy you give to MOWSV as a volunteer driver and board member! Congratulations, again, on being honored as Volunteer of the Quarter.