Eric Davis is the founder of Davis Tool Systems, a company built around a patented modular connection platform for manual and powered tools.

He began developing the system to solve a fundamental problem in tool use: lack of control, poor ergonomics, and limited adaptability in real-world applications. What started as a single invention evolved into a broader platform designed to connect multiple tools, attachments, and power systems through a unified interface.

In 2019, Eric partnered with Gary Young and Chris Meister of Avela Corporation, a sourcing and manufacturing specialist, to bring the system into production. Together, they established the foundation for global manufacturing, prototyping, and product refinement.

With 37 years in the airline industry, Eric brings a unique perspective shaped by global exposure, operational discipline, and continuous problem-solving. His background has directly influenced the system’s design philosophy, focusing on efficiency, adaptability, and user control across a wide range of applications.

Development of the Davis Tool System continued through the challenges of the COVID period, with ongoing iteration, testing, and refinement. The result is a growing ecosystem of tools built around the Davis Connector, enabling both manual and powered operation within a single integrated platform.

Today, Davis Tool Systems is positioned as a scalable tool platform with expanding applications, supported by patented technology and early industry recognition. The company is focused on bringing its first production runs to market and building a new category of connected, ergonomic tool systems.

Gary Young received his Bachelor of Science from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. After gaining a real-world education serving in leadership capacities for various companies, Mr. Young launched his own company, Vela Productions, in 1984 which specialized in educational publishing. He then launched a second company in 1988, Ad Lib, a boutique advertising agency.

Mr. Young operated both ventures separately, until merging the two in 1996 to create a full-service advertising agency called Avela Corporation. The name derives from the “A” in Ad Lib followed by “Vela,” the name of his first business. Avela Corp.

When Mr. Young visited China in 2002, he had no idea that the visit would change the course of his life and the direction of his company. Captivated by the Chinese culture and the country’s business dynamic, Young transformed Avela Corporation from an ad agency to a company that would source products and services for his existing ad-agency customer base. Since then, his list of clientele has grown tremendously, as has his knowledge of and appreciation of China, its people, and its customs.

Mr. Young is married with three adult sons, all of whom are electrical engineers. He is a member of Vistage International; enjoys dividing time between his home bases of Houston, Texas, and Shanghai; is a seasoned world traveler, and is an avid reader of science and technology literature.

Chris Meister brings a multifaceted background to his position as Marketing Director for Davis Tool Systems that includes graphic design and consumer safety messaging for a Fortune 500 corporation. Rounding out his resumé is his experience as a business owner and a writer with published articles and books on a diverse range of history to his credit. He lives in Royal Oak, Michigan.