James A. Davis was born in Toledo, OH, on January 18, 1930. He received the B.A. degree in engineering physics at the University of Toledo in 1957, and the Ph.D. degree in theoretical solid-state physics at the University of Pittsburgh in 1964.From 1954 to 1967, as a Senior Scientist at the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory in West Mifflin, PA, he performed research into basic theoretical problems in reactor physics. In 1967 he changed fields and worked at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, MA, as a Research Associate in underwater acoustics. While there, he developed several models for underwater sound propagation and participated in the design, implementation, and analysis of numerous at-sea acoustic experiments. In 1974 he joined the Naval Oceanographic Office in Suitland, MD, where he contributed to survey design techniques. In 1975 he became a Branch Head of the Numerical Modeling Branch in the newly formed Naval Ocean Research and Development Activity at NSTL, MS. In this capacity he directed acoustic modeling efforts over a wide range of activities spanning basic research, exploratory development, and advanced development. In 1982 he joined Planning Systems, Inc. (PSI), as a Principal Scientist in Slidell, LA, and in 1986 moved to the company's branch office in New London, CT. While at PSI he has been active in numerous areas of underwater acoustics, including model and database development, evaluation and application, as well as experimental design and data analysis. Dr. Davis is the author or coauthor of over 100 articles, papers, and technical reports in the areas of solid-state physics, reactor physics, and underwater acoustics.