Larry A. Davenport ’72

Larry Davenport graduated magna cum laude from BGSU’s Schmidthorst College of Business, specializing in accounting. Like many other outstanding accounting majors from BGSU, he started his career with a Big Four international accounting firm. It turned out to be a great place to start and complete his first business career.

Davenport spent 35 years, 24 as a partner, at Ernst & Young, LLP (EY). During his distinguished career, he served many public and private companies. For the last 20 years, he led the firm’s efforts in serving entrepreneurial and private equity owned companies. Davenport was responsible for the tremendously successful EY practice in Northwestern Ohio and Southeastern Michigan serving entrepreneurial and emerging companies.

Davenport brought the EY Entrepreneur of the Year program and the successor program, the Entrepreneurial and Business Excellence Hall of Fame, to Northwest Ohio. The program has recognized over 150 individuals and their companies for their achievements over the last 24 years.

Upon retirement from EY, Davenport teamed with Mike Hanf to found Davenport, Hanf & Company, LLC, a client services firm specializing in financial, operational and organizational development. He is also proud to work with his BGSU sons, Adam and Brandon, in the family business, Gorillas & Gazelles, LLC. This enterprise, run by Adam, serves high school and college students in career selection and provides human resource assistance to corporations.

Davenport was instrumental in the founding of the Entrepreneurship Center at BGSU. He has served on the BG Foundation Board and the Schmidthorst College of Business Board of Advocates for many years. Davenport was recognized by the Entrepreneurial and Business Excellence (EBE) Hall of Fame for outstanding service to the community. EBE now recognizes a local leader each year with the Davenport/Longenecker Lifetime Achievement Award.

Davenport is very proud of being named to Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School’s Hall of Fame, being recognized as a BGSU Schmidthorst College of Business Accomplished Graduate, and recognized as a Christian business leader. Perhaps more importantly, Davenport is proud to be married to his high school sweetheart, Susie, for over 40 years.

Published: 2013