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 ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ. 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 ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ. 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-Wyoming
M.S. - Master of Science in Human Security and Resilience, ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ
M.B.A. - Master of Business Administration, University of California-Irvine
B.S. - Bachelor of Science in History, United States Naval Academy
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.Â
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:Â 08/15/2020
Coach Training Alliance Certified Coach (CTACC):Â 08/15/2018
OD Certified Professional (ODCP), Institute of Organization Development:Â 03/28/2017
Certified Grant Writer®, American Grant Writers’ Association: 02/22/2014
Mediator for Federal Sector Workspace Disputes, Federal Executive Board:Â 01/14/2011
Career in Transition Coach, Chapman University:Â 2005
Project Management Professional (PMP) – ID #204717, Project Management Institute: 11/09/2004
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE):Â 10/30/2001
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP):Â 10/19/2001