His teaching, research, and applied work focus on leadership development, complex adaptive systems, toxic and grey leadership, organizational change, critical thinking, stakeholder governance, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in research and education. He has taught, facilitated executive development programs, and presented research across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
Dr. Watkins has served the Worldwide College of Business as Interim Dean, Associate Dean, Assistant Dean, Department Chair, and Program Chair. Before joining Embry-Riddle, he held operational and executive roles in the transportation and technology sectors. During 13 years as a U.S. Naval Officer, he flew F/A-18 Hornets from USS Midway and USS Independence, including combat operations during Desert Storm, and led an aviation safety program recognized among the top two percent in the fleet.
Dr. Watkins holds a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix, an MBA in Information Technology Management from the University of California, Irvine, an M.S. in Human Security and Resilience from Embry-Riddle, and a B.S. in History from the U.S. Naval Academy. He is an International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach and serves on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Board of Examiners and the California Council for Excellence CAPE Council.
D.Mgt. - Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership, University of Phoenix-Arizona
M.S. - Master of Science in Human Security and Resilience, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
M.B.A. - Master of Business Administration, University of California-Irvine
B.S. - Bachelor of Science in History, United States Naval Academy
2025 Member of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Board of Examiners - Malcolm Baldrige
Certificate of Training - Baldrige Performance Excellence Program
Certified Practitioner in Systemic Team Coaching - Systemic Team Coaching
RCTLE RefreshER 2025 - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2024 Member of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Board of Examiners - Malcolm Baldrige
Systemic Team Coaching - Team Development Essentials
2024 Baldrige Program Examiner Training - National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
CAPE Examiner of the Year Award - California Council for Excellence
Principles You Debrief Certification - PrinciplesYOU
What is Generative AI? - LinkedIn Learning
2022 Baldrige Returning-Senior-Master Examiner Training - Baldrige Performance Excellence Program (BPEP)
Program Examiner Preparation Course - Baldrige Performance Excellence Program
Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service to the Nation - U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology
Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service to the Nation - Malcolm Baldrige/U.S. Department of Commerce
GALLUP: Coaching Individuals, Managers and Teams - Gallup Incorporated
Baldrige Performance Excellence Program Examiner Preparation Course - Baldrige Performance Excellence Program (BPEP)
Harassment Prevention for Employees - Higher Education Edition - Skillsoft
Bridging the Diversity Gap - Skillsoft
Examiner Refresher Training - Baldridge Performance Excellence Program (BPEP)
GALLUP's Successful Strengths Coaching Course - Gallup Incorporated
2019 Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award Board of Examiners - United States Department of Commerce
Examiner for the 2019 California Awards for Performance Excellence Program - California Council for Excellence
CAPE Examiner of the Year Award - California Council for Excellence
2019 Kevin Mitnick Security Awareness Training - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Lean Six Sigma: Yellow Belt Certification - Electronic Training Solutions, Inc.
Baldrige Performance Excellence Program Examiner Preparation Course - Baldrige Performance Excellence Program (BPEP)
ERAU Hunt Library Evaluating Sources - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Hunt Library
ERAU Hunt Library Basic Training - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Hunt Library
Certified Coach - Coach Training Alliance
Organization Development Certification Program - Institute of Organization Development (IOD)
Coursera: Model Thinking - Coursera
Coursera: Critical Thinking in Global Challenges - Coursera
Best Conference Paper 2013 - The Academic Forum
Critical Thinking - University of Phoenix
Certificate of Completion of Action Research Faculty Training - University of Phoenix
Entry Level Facilitation Workshop - University of Phoenix
SAS Faculty & Learner Colloquium - University of Phoenix
Basic Mediation Skills Training - Greater Los Angeles Federal Executive Board
Career Transition Coach - Chapman University
Project Management Professional (PMP) Certificate - Project Management Institute
Certificate of Completion: Faculty Certification Workshop Series - University of Phoenix
Microsoft Certified Professional - Systems Engineer - Microsoft
Microsoft Certified Professional - Microsoft
Examiner for the 2023 California Awards Performance Excellence (CAPE) Program - California Council for Excellence
Dr. Watkins served 13 years as a U.S. Naval Officer and F/A-18 Hornet pilot aboard USS Midway and USS Independence, including combat operations during Desert Storm. His leadership assignments included flight instruction, aviation safety, operations standardization, and department leadership. He developed an award-winning aviation safety program recognized among the top two percent in the fleet.
In the transportation sector, he served as General Manager of the OCTA 91 Express Lanes and Operations Manager for The Toll Roads, leading operational, customer-service, technology, and process-improvement initiatives. He also managed organizational-change programs and a portfolio of information-technology projects as a project management consultant.
Dr. Watkins co-founded technology ventures and is President and CEO of Leadership Development and Research Consultants. Through LDRC and Embry-Riddle, he designs and delivers executive coaching, leadership development, organizational development, and performance-excellence programs for aviation, transportation, government, and corporate clients.
MyWorldView® (MWV) Authorized Practitioner, Global Leadership Associates: 11/20/2025
Certified Practitioner in Systemic Team Coaching®, Coaching.com: 05/23/2025
Professional Certified Coach (PCC), International Coaching Federation: 11/10/2024
PrinciplesUs Pilot Enablement Program, Principles: 09/22/2023
PrinciplesYou Certified Coach, Coaching.com: 04/04/2023
Associate Certified Coach (ACC), International Coaching Federation: 04/15/2021
Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach: 08/15/2020
Coach Training Alliance Certified Coach (CTACC): 08/15/2018
OD Certified Professional (ODCP), Institute of Organization Development: 03/28/2017
Certified Grant Writer®, American Grant Writers' Association: 02/22/2014
Mediator for Federal Sector Workplace Disputes, Federal Executive Board: 01/14/2011
Career in Transition Coach, Chapman University: 2005
Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute: 11/09/2004
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE): 10/30/2001
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP): 10/19/2001
Board of Examiners, Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award: 2019–Present
California Award for Performance Excellence (CAPE) Council, California Council for Excellence: 2024–Present