Background
Watkins, William was born on August 12, 1932 in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States. Son of William James and Willie Ree (Blount) Watkins.
Electric power industry executive
Watkins, William was born on August 12, 1932 in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States. Son of William James and Willie Ree (Blount) Watkins.
Bachelor of Business Administration, Pace U., 1954; Master of Business Administration, New York University, 1962; postgraduate advanced management program, University of Michigan, 1979; postgraduate executive program, Edison Electric Institute, 1988.
Staff assistant, Consolidated Edison Company New York, New York City, 1957-1964;
system manager, Volkswagen American, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1964-1971;
vice-president, director administration, New England Power Svc. Company, Westboro, Massachusetts, 1972-1982;
vice-president, director human resources, New England Power Svc. Company, Westboro, Massachusetts, 1986-1992;
vice president, district manager, Narragansett Electric Company, Providence, 1982-1986;
executive vice president, Narragansett Electric Company, Providence, 1992-1997;
retired.
Board directors Peerless Precision Corporation, Lincoln, Rhode Island, 1982-1991.
Chairman Rhode Island Urban Project, Providence, 1984, Rhode Island Council for Economics Education, Providence, 1984. Member Governor's Commision on Health Care Reform, 1993-1994. Trustee Rhode Island Hospital, 1995-1996, Lifespan, since 1996, Roger Williams U., Bristol, Rhode Island, 1991-1994.
Board directors Bank Boston Southern Region, since 1987, Rhode Island Hospital Finance Corporation, Providence, 1987-1991, Inroads, 1993-1997, Leadership Rhode Island, 1993-1995, National Conference of Christians and Jews, 1993-1997. Member resource and development commission EpiscopalDiocese Massachusetts, 1988-1992. Chairman of the board of trustees RISD, since 1998.
Member N.E. Economics Developers Association (board directors 1993-1997), Rhode Island Urban Bankers Association, Kappa Alpha Psi.
Married Sylvia I. Mulzac, October 16, 1955. Children: Cheryl, Rene, Linda.