Daryl Watkins

Title
Professor, College of Business
Email
Department
Department of Management
College
College of Business
Daryl Watkins


Dr. Watkins is an educator and US 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 Embry-Riddle Worldwide College of Business. 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 US 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-Wyoming
  • 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

  • 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 (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 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