Our leadership team has received consistently high marks for being approachable, transparent, and ethical. Here’s who they are, and what they have to say:
Watkins has done many things well, but one thing it has done exceptionally well is focus on the customer. I believe that if you take care of your customers, they will take care of you. I try to see things through their eyes, and put myself in their shoes. That said, the customers are not always right. As a part of our organization by extension, like most groups, our customers are looking to be led. They want to know that someone here at Watkins is looking ahead, innovating and has the wherewithal to take appropriate risks at the appropriate time. So to sum it all up, our goals are to do right by our customers and employees, but also to focus on the future—what’s next—and whenever possible be the first to get there.
People choose to work here because we actually “walk the walk.” We post our values and do our very best to live by them. Also, nothing is boring at Watkins. We try new things. We push the envelope. We are never standing still.
I’ve spent the majority of my time in sales, marketing and senior management roles, at the retail and manufacturing levels. This experience gives me perspective from the customer and company viewpoints, which allows me to share insights with our employees on the industry and the customer experience.
A key responsibility for me is to guide the strategic direction of our company and brands. This involves casting a vision so others can execute our strategy. As they do so, I am able to provide coaching and feedback to help our people accomplish their objectives.
Watkins feels like a “family” business. I believe this is our No. 1 strength. Who you work with is as important, if not more so, than the work you do. That, coupled with quality working conditions—including getting the right tools and resources to get the job done—creates workplace excellence. We are also the industry leader, with a proven record of growth that provides stability in good times as well as tough times.
I joined the Watkins family in 1992 as the Human Resources Manager. I was promoted a few years later to Director, and became Vice President of Human Resources in 1999. As the Vice President of the People Strategy and Services group, I oversee everything from recruitment and employee training to benefit administration, compensation and payroll and employee safety and wellness. One of my team’s main objectives is to create programs that make a difference in the lives of our employees and those they support.
It is important to me to support an environment where people enjoy coming to work each day. We all need to work, so why not have fun doing it? Treating each other with respect, being open and honest and genuinely caring for one another are equally important. Watkins received a 97% favorable score in our recent company survey, with a 91.4% employee response rate. So I’m not the only one who enjoys working here—many others do, too!
On a personal note, I am a native San Diegan who loves to fish, spend time with my family and friends and volunteer with charitable organizations. I’ve been on the Board of Directors for the Vista Boys and Girls Club and served on the Board of Directors for North County Solutions for Change, a homeless shelter. Charitable giving is important to me and it is a Watkins core value.
Prior to joining Watkins in 2015, I was the Director of Operations for Owens Corning, where I oversaw facilities in the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Brazil. I also served at Watkins from 1990 to 1996 in various capacities, including Materials Manager, Plant Manager and Vice President of Manufacturing. Having worked at Watkins in the past, I am familiar with the honest and open leadership, the friendly culture, the company’s commitment to employee safety and the impressive quality and value of the products we produce. All are best in class, which creates an exciting and dynamic environment.
One reason I was so thrilled to re-join the Watkins team? Employees here are encouraged to develop their full potential and are empowered to bring their best game to work each day. While Watkins has enjoyed phenomenal success over the years, I am convinced the best is yet to come. I am very excited to be part of it.
Prior to joining Watkins Wellness, I spent many years gaining valuable experience in both the automotive and irrigation industries, which is where I became passionate about advanced engineering technology and developed a strong focus on project management.
When I joined Watkins Wellness in July 2017, I was struck by how special the culture is here. This team operates with a refreshing level of openness and honesty as we work towards solutions every day. In my role as Vice President of Engineering, I oversee New Product Development, R&D, Creative Design, Tooling, Quality Improvement, Test Lab, and Product Compliance.
When I’m not at Watkins Wellness, you will find me spending time with my family, reading, or practicing Karate and Krav Maga.
I have extensive experience implementing, converting and upgrading Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. This gives me knowledge and expertise in leading the IT function, as well as an appreciation for all key systems and processes that keep the company running effectively and efficiently.
I spent two years living and working in the UK, two years as a Materials Manager and one year as Project Director of a major ERP system implementation. This temporary deviation from a traditional finance and accounting career path was a great learning experience for me.
Some of the best things about working here? Watkins provides an excellent benefits package, is passionate about providing a safe work environment and runs a best-in-class wellness program that benefits not only employees, but also their families.
I transferred to Watkins Europe in Belgium as International Customer Service Manager and then was selected for the position of European Sales Manager in 2003. In that role, I was responsible for business development, managing regional sales managers and the European marketing team.
I transferred back to Vista, Calif. as Director of Sales & Marketing–Europe and in 2012, I took on the challenge of VP of International Sales & Marketing. I am responsible for the sales and marketing initiatives outside North America, working with a talented group of team members and dealer partners in more than 70 countries.
I love working at Watkins because the average tenure of our employees is 10+ years. That is testimony to a great company where people like to work. The management team truly cares about every team member.
In 2017, I became Vice President of Sales, North America. In this position, I led both the field and internal sales teams and developed and executed our strategic sales plans. I had the pleasure of working with our high-performing sales team and our outstanding dealer partners in the United States and Canada.
Since 2020, I have served as our Vice President of Marketing, North America. In this role, I lead our efforts to drive awareness and preference to our portfolio of specialty retail brands. We’re passionate about the products we build, and we strongly believe in the vast physical and emotional benefits derived from their daily use. As a marketer, this is truly an exciting and rewarding message to convey.
My life outside of Watkins remains lively with my wife and our two children. They are both very active in sports, so most weekends you can usually find me on a baseball diamond or volleyball court somewhere in sunny San Diego!
Prior to joining Watkins Wellness in 2020, I gained over twenty years of sales and marketing management experience in the building products industry. I have led sales and marketing teams in the faucet, window and cabinetry categories selling through multiple distribution channels, including retail and large specialty dealer segments.
I was drawn to Watkins Wellness because of the great culture and the people that make this an exceptional company. I believe in the products we manufacture and the physical, emotional and relational wellness benefits that come from owning one of our hot tubs. My experience has been that everyone believes in the “Watkins Way” values and lives them every day out of passion to serve our customers and help others feel good and live well.
I strive to live a congruent life in all that I do and all that I am, both at work and away. For fun I like to play golf, seek adventure, and spend time with friends and family, especially my lovely wife and two adult children.
As Vice President of American Hydrotherapy Systems, I lead the sales and marketing teams. I’m also responsible for strategic planning for the AHS business segment, driving our goal of achieving continuous growth across multiple distribution channels. AHS products make it possible for more people to enjoy the wellness benefits of hydrotherapy, and it’s a gratifying experience to contribute to its success.
Without a doubt, I’d say the best thing about my job is the people. My team works hard to keep the needs of our customers front and center – but I make sure we also take time to have fun. The strong relationships we’ve built within the team, the company, and across our dealer network are a big part of our success. When you’re working with people you consider friends and doing something that you’re passionate about, it doesn’t feel like work.
In my off time, you’ll find me spending time with my wife and two daughters, on the golf course, or rooting for my favorite sports teams – The Phillies, Eagles, and 76ers.
I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to work in multiple capacities at Watkins, starting in the Engineering team, followed by Operations, and now in the Service team. Experience in all of these areas has provided me with a broad range of knowledge in both products and processes, and that helps me effectively lead my teams.
Watkins has a great working environment and truly cares about its employees. For a long time, we’ve viewed ourselves as a family, and we all treat each other that way. Without a doubt, the biggest strength of this company is its culture (The Watkins Way), and our employees have always made this company what it is today.