Zachery Chavis: Former Norfolk School Coach Uses Team Training Skills in Private Industry

By Glen Mason
The New Journal and Guide
Arts and Culture Correspondent
Suffolk

When Zachery Chavis graduated from Old Dominion University he went into education. He knew how impactful education had been in his family’s life so it was important for him to “pay it forward” as a teacher and coach.

As the Site Operations Director for MSI Surfaces, Inc. in Suffolk, Chavis has taken what he experienced as a coach and used it as a foundation for professional development and management at MS International, Inc.

MSI is a leading supplier of flooring, countertops, tiles and industrial surfaces like astro turf in the nation. In the fall, it broke ground on a new, massive 548,000 square-foot distribution center in Suffolk. According to sources, it took almost a year to complete. In addition, there are plans to create at least 80 new jobs.

Chavis squeezed in a telephone interview with the New Journal and Guide. The first question he was asked was where did acquire his zest for  progressive leadership skills from?

“Leadership has always been a blend of experience, observation, and self-awareness for me,” said Chavis. “I’ve been fortunate to learn from strong mentors and challenging roles that pushed me to grow. It might appear to be innate to people that know me, but it’s really about being committed to growth and understanding people.”

MSI approached Chavis with a unique expansion project for a young management supervisor. It begged the question what were his initial thoughts about such a challenging project?

“I saw it as a huge opportunity to prove myself and contribute something impactful,” said Chavis, in a voice more calming than instructing. “My first thoughts were focused on the possibilities, the challenges we’d face, and how I could bring a team together to ensure success. The Suffolk move enhances our operational reach and positions us better for key markets.

“It also gives us room to innovate and scale in ways that weren’t possible before,” continued Chavis.

Zachery Chavis said he grew up in Norfolk’s Norview community in a family of musicians and athletes. His late father Reginald Chavis worked for Norfolk Public Schools in security. His mother, Patsy Darlene Chavis, coached softball and cheerleading at Maury High School.

A Dodson Scholar, he starred in football and wrestling at Norview High School. He won the Eastern District heavyweight wrestling title his junior (2006) and senior year (2007) with the Pilots for acclaimed prep wrestling coach Robert Toran.

After Chavis graduated from ODU with his business degree, he went into education, and became a head coach at Norfolk’s Ruffner Middle School. There he built a middle school championship wrestling program, winning two middle school titles. Chavis said he took those assets of instruction, team building, and communication into his current position at MSI.

“Building that program at Ruffner taught me the power of discipline, consistency, and fostering trust within a team,” said Chavis, with a maturity that belies his years. “I’ve carried those lessons into my management career by ensuring open communication, setting clear goals, and committing to developing people to achieve their best selves professionally and personally.”

“MSI represented the perfect mix of challenge and opportunity for me. I was inspired by the company’s vision and felt that my skills could help drive real progress while allowing me to grow personally and professionally,” he continued.

Chavis’ colleagues say he seldom does anything without a well-thought-out plan. He was asked about the comment, and what was his plan for the Suffolk expansion?

“My plan is focused on ensuring operational efficiency, leveraging the new location’s resources, and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration” said Zachery. “We’ve laid out a phased approach to align short-term goals with long-term growth. To sum it up, my vision for this site is to achieve results, inspire people and create solutions.

“What excited me most was the potential for growth – not just for the company, but for me as well,” said Chavis. “I’ve been deeply involved in analyzing the strategic benefits, coordinating with stakeholders, and shaping a vision for what this move means for MSI’s future.”