W. David Watkins President and CEO

David Watkins with his best helper, grandson, Web.
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David Watkins (aka "Bokky") with granddaughter Douglas.  She says she loves me "more than your King Edward."  Wow, it doesn't get any better than that!

Whitney Luckett Watkins, 1974-2007

Whitney Luckett Watkins, 32, our beloved daughter-in-law and mother of two grandchildren, died February 14, 2007 after a courageous and inspiring battle with melanoma.

Charles Mortimer - Chief Operating Officer

Charles L. Mortimer is the new Chief Operating Officer for Watkins Development, LLC, with responsibilities for the operations and finance functions at the firm.
Charles has broad experience in banking, investment management and finance. He spent 15 years with Deposit Guaranty National Bank, first as a commercial lender and later as the manager of the bank’s Specialized Finance Department which offered investment banking services to the bank’s larger customers.
Prior to joining Watkins, Charles served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for On2Locate, Inc, a Ridgeland based technology company. Previously he also served as CFO of Gail Pittman, Inc., a dinnerware and accessories manufacturing company.
Early in his career, Charles served as vice president/shareholder of Windsor Association, Inc., a Dallas based investment advisory firm. He co-managed equity portfolios, option hedged portfolios and convertible debt portfolios for foundations, individuals, corporations and insurance companies.
Charles has also taught undergraduate investments courses as an adjunct professor of finance at Millsaps College in Jackson.
Charles earned a Bachelor of Science degree in banking and finance from Mississippi State University and an MBA with a concentration in corporate finance from Southern Methodist University.
He has served in many volunteer leadership positions including Habitat for Humanity of Metro Jackson, the Mississippi Opera Association and Galloway United Methodist Church. Charles is an avid backpacker and leads a group of fellow hikers on an annual trip to the western US mountains. Charles and his wife, Kay, live in Jackson and have two children, ages 24 and 20.

Jason Goree - Vice President

Jason Goree is the new Vice-President of Watkins Development, where he works side-by-side with current president, W. David Watkins, in Planning and Designs, Development Proposals, creating public/private partnerships, and an intense focus on the enhancement of the quality of life for the  citizens of Jackson.

Jason Goree is the son of Janace Goree, Chancery Court Judge of District 11 Sub-District 1.  Jason has been facilitating real estate deals before he was able to get his driver’s license.   Born and raised in West Jackson, Jason has always possessed phenomenal leadership skills and was awarded the 100 Distinguished Gentlemen Scholarship upon receiving his diploma at Jim Hill High School.  He is a Graduate of Mississippi State University with a degree in Business Information Systems.  Upon graduating, Jason successfully managed his mother’s campaign for Chancery Court Judge, there he learned, “when you have the audacity to believe in yourself, you can achieve anything”.  Mr. Goree spent over 7 years in Dallas, TX where he continued his passion in Real Estate Development along with owning and operating two insurance and financial management offices.  After making the decision to focus more on commercial developments, Goree moved back to Jackson, MS and is quoted as saying, “I need Jackson and Jackson needs me”.  Jason moved back home and began working with local government and business leaders to continue to push the agenda of “A Better Jackson”. 

Jason and his beautiful wife, Khylah, have a 3 year old son named Isaiah and any day now is expecting another baby boy. 

Eric Bluntson - Chief Financial Officer

Eric Bluntson is the Chief Financial Officer for the Company.  He is also heavily involved in the strategic operations of the Company. 

Mr. Bluntson has 13 years experience in progressively challenging bank branch executive positions. His expertise encompasses all operational concerns, including human resources, employee training and development, accounting, marketing, data processing, policy/procedure creation and electronic banking, customer service and problem resolution.

His prior banking experience included executive positions at BankPlus, BancorpSouth, First Trust and Bank of Mississippi.  Mr. Bluntson holds an MBA in Business/Finance and a B.B.A in Economics from the University of Mississippi and is past president of the Middle Mississippi Football Officials Association and the Alpha Epsilon Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. 

Brad Franklin (aka "Kamikaze") - Director of Entertainment

Brad Franklin, also known as "Kamikaze," is our newest employee.  He is our Director of Entertainment and will assist in the development, coordination and management of the entertainment activities in the Farish Street Entertainment District. 

Warren Bowen - Director of Construction

Warren Bowen is our Director of Construction and is responsible for the day to day planning and operations of construction activities on the Farish Street Entertainment District.

Mr. Bowen is graduate of Jackson State University with a B.S. in Science and Technology, majoring in Design, Industrial Management and Construction Management.  He has attended numerous schools and academies in construction and facilities management and is a certified Building Inspector SBCCI/IBC and Certified Disaster Inspector FEMA.

He has been employed as Facility Manager for Jackson State University, Physical Plant Director for Tougaloo College, Code Specialist/Plan Reviewer for the City of Jackson and as a Technical Advisor/Project Coordinator for for Tuscan Construction.  Most recently, he has served as Project Manager/Designer for Builders Alternative, Inc.

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