John Davis

John F. Davis III (born 1953) was a billionaire entrepreneur, educator, and a member of the Texas Christian University Board of Trustees. He is a co-founder of 1-800-Flowers and a former CEO of Pegasus Solutions, Birch Street Systems and Room Key.

Early life Davis was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he attended Broadmoor High School. He is the oldest of five siblings. Davis graduated from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas with a bachelor's in business administration. Following his graduation, Davis briefly became involved in politics, serving as U.S. Senator John Tower's campaign director during Tower's successful 1978 reelection bid. By the time he sold the business in 1989, ATC Communications had 1,200 employees. At THISCO, Davis created a computer switch that linked the individual chains’ reservations with airline Global Distribution Systems. In 1994, Davis led the launch of TravelWeb, then an online travel and hotel catalogue.

Davis led Pegasus' acquisition of REZsolutions, a hotel marketing and reservation provider in 2000. In 2006, Prides Capital acquired Pegasus solutions for $275 million. Davis retired from Pegasus in July 2008.

Birch Street Systems (2008–2010) In November 2008, Davis became CEO of Birch Street Systems, an e-procurement and back office automation solutions provider. Room Key launched in January 2012 and is owned by Choices Hotels International, Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, InterContinental Hotels Group, Marriott International, and Wyndham Worldwide or their respective affiliates. He is also a member of Texas Christian University's board of trustees. Davis was appointed Honorary Consul of the Principality of Monaco in Dallas by Prince Rainier III on June 24, 2003.