The "Saving Money" Legend of Steve Davis
Steve Davis, a long-time associate of Elon Musk and currently the president and CEO of tunnel boring company The Boring Company, is heralded as a "savings expert." Davis's collaboration with Musk dates back to 20 years ago, as he was a key member of Musk's team during the early days of SpaceX and played a pivotal role in the acquisition and reorganization of Twitter.
According to insiders, Davis is known for his tight cost control, handling procurement projects for as little as a few hundred dollars. He often tells his employees: "Go back and ask again." In 2004, he designed an actuator for SpaceX at only $3,900, while the supplier's quote was as high as $120,000.
Radical Reforms at Twitter
After Musk took over Twitter, he entrusted Davis with financial review responsibilities. Davis demonstrated his core capabilities in extreme frugality and decisive decision-making. He personally led the reduction of 80% of Twitter's workforce to achieve rapid goals. Reportedly, Davis was so dedicated to his work at Twitter that he once slept in the office with his partner and baby.
This aggressive approach has sparked concerns about similar measures that might be adopted by the Department of Government Efficiency. Some analysts believe that Davis's involvement could cause short-term chaos in the federal government, but may also increase efficiency and cut unnecessary expenses.
A Dynamic Entrepreneur in Multiple Fields
Davis shows outstanding capabilities not only in his work but also has an impressive academic background. While pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics, he not only worked full-time at SpaceX but also ran a frozen yogurt shop, integrating his business experience into his academic papers.
His mentor, Alex Tabarrok, described him as "energetic, very entrepreneurial," and stated that his becoming one of Musk's most trusted aides was both unexpected and exciting.
Prospects and Potential Impact of Reforms
Davis's participation could introduce more efficient management practices to the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency. His previous experiences at Twitter and SpaceX demonstrate his skill in making bold decisions to cut costs and drive the fulfillment of institutional goals. However, this aggressive style might also pose challenges to the stability of the federal government.
In the future, his performance in the Department of Government Efficiency may become an important observation point for reforms in U.S. federal administrative agencies, offering new ideas for innovation in government management methods.
