 Hal Davidow Named 2013
John Batley Award Recipient
April 17, 2013 - One of the traditional highlights of the PAISBOA Annual Meeting is the presentation of the John Batley Award, our highest honor. A former CFO of Westtown School, recipient of the Visionary Award, and the man for whom the John Batley Award was created, John’s legacy is one of selfless giving and inclusion in PAISBOA. We celebrate his character, competence, and consistency each year with the selection of the John Batley Award winner.
For 2013, the John Batley Award was presented to
Hal Davidow of William Penn Charter School.
Prior to becoming Business Officer at William Penn Charter in 1996, Hal spent 23 years holding increasingly responsible positions at SEPTA. Beginning as a systems analyst in 1974 as a recent graduate of Drexel University, Hal steadily climbed the corporate ladder, becoming Assistant General Manager and then Chief Planning and Development Officer. He had a vast responsibility which included union negotiations, transit and railroad scheduling, and overseeing transportation operations as well as massive capital projects. Along the way, he acquired an MBA in 1983, from the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania.
During his 17 year tenure at Penn Charter, Hal has been instrumental in overseeing such major capital projects as the Gold LEED-certified Kurtz Center for the Performing Arts, a new Middle School and the addition of 7 squash courts. The expansion of the Lower School was accomplished by means of Hal’s creative partnering with a neighboring church. The consummate professional, Hal works quietly and efficiently in his office at Timmons House, tucked away from all the campus activity, always in his dark suit and white shirt uniform.
Hal’s service to PAISBOA includes serving on the board since 1998, holding the office of Chair of the Purchasing Consortium since its inception that year. His SEPTA experience of reviewing and negotiating contract agreements made him well-qualified for this position. He and Al Greenough have been responsible for tracking the 18 active vendor agreements that gross in excess of $6 million in products and services to the 80+ member schools at discounted pricing.
Hal is also a devoted board member at KenCrest, an organization that provides opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and autism. In his 28 year tenure on KenCrest’s board, Hal has held many leadership positions.
Hal’s outside interests include his passion for long-distance running. He gets his best thinking done when he is jogging along the Wissahickon Trail. He is a veteran of over 70 marathons, including over 20 consecutive years running in the famed Boston Marathon. He commemorated a recent “milestone” birthday by clocking in one of his best times ever. Hal boasts of having – and conquering- the latest in technology and can be counted on to be the first to own the most up-to-date Apple products on the market. He has been known to have no less than 4 devices on his person at all times. Even though he is a long-time vegetarian, Hal’s grilling skills are legendary.
Hal resides in Lafayette Hills with Bonnie, his wife of 30 years; they have two sons Evan and Lee and two dogs Delilah and Samantha.
The PAISBOA Board and staff are sincerely grateful for Hal’s tireless time and effort on behalf of the Association.
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