Dr. Watkins is an educator and U.S. Navy Combat Veteran with a background in higher education, public transportation, information technology management and military aviation.
As an associate professor of leadership, he teaches courses in leadership, transformation and change at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Dr. Watkins has taught, facilitated workshops and presented research in Mexico, Spain, India, Singapore, Japan and Trinidad and Tobago. He researches leadership topics such as leading in complex environments, toxic leadership, leadership competencies and critical thinking.
Dr. Watkins held positions as interim dean, associate dean, assistant dean, department chair and program chair within the College of Business on the Worldwide Campus. Prior to joining ERAU, Dr. Watkins was an operations manager and general manager of two toll roads in Orange County, California. He also flew F/A 18 Hornets off the aircraft carrier, USS Midway, during Operation Desert Storm.
He is a 1987 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, where he majored in History. Daryl received his MBA from the University of California, Irvine, and his Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix School of Advanced Studies. He also earned a Master of Science in Human Security and Resilience from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He holds certifications in coaching, career coaching, CliftonStrengths coaching, project management, organization development, mediation and grant writing. He has also served multiple years as an examiner for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the California Award for Performance Excellence.
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 spent 13 years as a U.S. Naval Officer. He is a decorated combat veteran from Desert Storm and was an F/A 18 Hornet Fighter Pilot based off the aircraft carriers Midway and Independence. During his tenure in the World's Finest Navy, he created an award-winning aviation safety program that was recognized in the top 2 percent of the fleet.
After leaving the Navy, Dr. Watkins enjoyed a short career within the Transportation and Tolling Industry in the capacity of Operations Manager at the Transportation Corridor Agencies Toll Roads and General Manager of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) 91 Express Lanes. He also managed organizational change initiatives and a portfolio of information technology projects as a Project Management Consultant at OCTA.
Dr. Watkins co-founded two high-tech start-ups – OC Networks and SourceNet Professionals in Technology. He is the President and CEO of Leadership Development and Research Consultants based in Orange, California.
Associate Certified Coach (PCC), International Coaching Federation: 10/04/2021
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 Workspace Disputes, Federal Executive Board: 01/14/2011
Career in Transition Coach, Chapman University: 2005
Project Management Professional (PMP) – ID #204717, Project Management Institute: 11/09/2004
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE): 10/30/2001
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP): 10/19/2001