James D. Watkins

James D. Watkins

Admiral James David Watkins (March 7, 1927 – July 26, 2012) was a United States Navy officer and former Chief of Naval Operations who served as U.S. Secretary of Energy during the George H. W. Bush Administration and chaired U.S. government commissions on HIV/AIDS and ocean policy. Watkins also served on the boards of various companies and other nongovernmental organizations and as the co-chair of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative.

Watkins' important positions within the United States Government include:

  • Chief of Naval Operations during part of the Reagan Administration (1982-1986)
  • Chairman of the Watkins Commission on AIDS (1987-1988)
  • Secretary of Energy (1989 - 1993)
  • Chairman of the United States Commission on Ocean Policy (also known as the Watkins Commission) (2001-2004)

He has also served several non-Governmental roles:

  • Co-chair of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative (JOCI) (2004-)
  • A Director of the Joint Oceanographic Institutions, Inc. (1993 - 2000)
  • A Director of GTS Duratek since April 1997
  • A Director of Southern California Edison Co.
  • A Director of International Technology Corp.
  • A Director of Philadelphia Electric Co.
  • A Director of VESTAR Inc.
  • Trustee, Carnegie Corporation of New York (1993-1998)
  • President of the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education (1994-March 2001)
  • Member, Naval Academy Endowment Trust Board of Directors
  • Life Member, USNA Alumni Association
  • Member of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation

Read more about James D. Watkins:  Biography, Awards

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