Background
Watkins, Hays Thomas was born on January 26, 1926 in Fern Creek, Kentucky, United States. Son of Hays Thomas Senior and Minnie Catherine (Whiteley) Watkins.
Watkins, Hays Thomas was born on January 26, 1926 in Fern Creek, Kentucky, United States. Son of Hays Thomas Senior and Minnie Catherine (Whiteley) Watkins.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Western Kentucky University, 1947. Master of Business Administration, Northwestern University, 1948. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Baldwin Wallace College, 1975.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), Alderson Broaddus College, 1980. Doctor of Laws (honorary), College of William and Mary, 1982. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Virginia Union University, 1987.
With, C. & O. Railway Cleveland, 1949-1980; vice president finance, C. & O. Railway Cleveland, 1964-1967; vice president administrative group, C. & O. Railway Cleveland, 1967-1971; president, chief Executive officer, C. & O. Railway Cleveland, 1971-1973; Chairman of the Board, chief Executive officer, C. & O. Railway Cleveland, 1973-1980; with, B. & O. R.R., 1964-1980; vice president finance, B. & O. R.R., 1964-1971; president, chief Executive officer, B. & O. R.R., 1971-1973; vice Chairman of the Board, chief Executive officer, B. & O. R.R., 1973-1980; chairman, chief Executive officer, Chessie System, Inc., 1973-1980; president and co-chief Executive officer, CSX Corporation (merger of Chessie System, Inc. and Seaboard Coast Line Industries, Inc.), Richmond, Virginia, 1980-1982; Chairman of the Board, chief Executive officer, CSX Corporation (merger of Chessie System, Inc. and Seaboard Coast Line Industries, Inc.), Richmond, Virginia, 1982-1989; Chairman of the Board, CSX Corporation (merger of Chessie System, Inc. and Seaboard Coast Line Industries, Inc.), Richmond, Virginia, 1989-1991; chairman emeritus, since 1991.
Vice-rector board visitors College William & Mary, 1984-1987, rector, 1987-1993. With Army of the United States, 1945-1947. Member National Association Accountants, American Certified Public Accountants Institute.
Clubs: Commonwealth (Richmond, Virginia). Country of Virginia (Richmond).
Married Betty Jean Wright, April 15, 1950. 1 son, Hays Thomas III.