DAVID J. WATSON
Bryan,TX
Summary
Dynamic and detail-oriented Executive Assistant with over a decade of success supporting C-suite and senior leaders across higher education and corporate sectors. Adept at managing complex calendars, coordinating global travel, handling expense reporting, and preparing high-level communications. Proven ability to lead confidential projects, streamline executive workflows, and drive cross-functional collaboration. Recognized for aligning daily operations with strategic objectives, fostering productive partnerships, and delivering proactive, solutions-oriented support. Brings professionalism, discretion, and operational excellence to fast-paced, high-impact environments.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Assistant III to the Dean
Texas A&M University – College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts
03.2024 - Current
- Serve as strategic advisor and chief liaison to the Dean of a newly established college, providing executive-level support to initiatives impacting 130+ faculty and 30+ staff across multiple academic units.
- Oversee the Dean’s complex meeting cadence, including executive leadership sessions, advancement strategy discussions, and university-wide planning forums; manage scheduling, logistics, briefing preparation, and follow-up across Concur and Emburse platforms for travel and expense management.
- Managed executive calendars, scheduling meetings and appointments and coordinating travel arrangements to optimize time.
- Lead the development and execution of college-wide strategic planning, cross-campus collaborations, and high-level advancement efforts, including donor engagement and alumni relations.
- Directly supervise and mentor a team of three, fostering a high-performance culture grounded in collaboration, equity, and operational excellence.
- Lead planning and execution of high-impact events, including donor receptions, advisory board meetings, and supporting advancement, recruitment, and community engagement goals.
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Presidian Hospitality
04.2023 - 04.2024
- Advised the CEO of a $250M+ multi-asset hospitality enterprise, providing high-level strategic support across operations spanning 10+ hotel properties, industrial holdings, and hospitality ventures.
- Served as project lead on complex real estate initiatives, including air rights negotiations and cellular tower asset management, directly supporting long-term revenue generation and asset optimization.
- Oversaw all aspects of executive scheduling, domestic and international travel, and high-level communications, ensuring seamless execution of priorities and sustained alignment with corporate objectives.
Executive Assistant to the Provost & Office Manager
University of Montana – Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
10.2022 - 03.2023
- Acted as de facto Chief of Staff to the Provost, directing strategic communications and advancing key institutional priorities across academic affairs, including coordination with 11 main academic units and their deans.
- Led and coordinated cross-campus initiatives focused on academic program assessment, policy development, and operational alignment across diverse academic units.
- Collaborated with the Provost to prioritize strategic engagements, manage complex day-to-day scheduling, and efficiently coordinate domestic and international travel logistics.
- Managed high-impact executive projects and served as a trusted advisor, facilitator, and strategist to the Provost, navigating complex operational challenges while supporting long-term planning and ensuring seamless execution and resolution of critical issues to achieve successful outcomes.
Program Coordinator II
Texas A&M University - Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness
02.2022 - 04.2022
- Developed standardized recruiting frameworks, HR best practices, and strategic communications.
- Served as advisor to executive search committees across multiple university departments.
- Directed academic executive searches for 9 high-level roles, ensuring confidentiality and stakeholder alignment.
Administrative Associate V / Operations Supervisor (concurrent role)
Texas A&M University - Provost's Development Office / Public Partnership and Outreach
09.2018 - 02.2022
- Managed development operations, budget oversight, and donor engagement supporting AVP and executive leadership.
- Collaborated with Texas A&M Foundation to create 40+ gift agreements and 150+ new accounts.
- Supervised 30–50 staff for university-wide COVID-19 testing coordination, modeling operational excellence.
- Supported and enhanced the development process, which included managing 40+ gift agreements and 150+ new accounts, resulting in improved donor research and engagement.
- Directed a large department budget and spending activities for the Academic Affairs Development department, ensuring financial efficiency and compliance with university policies.
- Analyzed donor interactions to generate data and insights on giving and its impact on the university, leading to the creation of new endowments and accounts.
- Set agendas, organized logistics, and planned events for executive-level meetings and donor engagement, enhancing meeting productivity and strengthening donor relationships.
- Managed the AVP for Development of Academic Affairs schedule, coordinating international and domestic travel and speaking engagements, which ensured seamless operations and maximized executive productivity.
- Served as a liaison between the Texas A&M University Provost Office and The Texas A&M Foundation, led initiatives that improved communication and streamlined processes for executive staff.
- Oversaw facilities and collaborated with external services to complete projects, ensuring timely completion and adherence to quality standards.
- Supervised 30-50 member staff, ensuring accurate data collection and effective communication within CDC guidelines to the Brazos County and university community totaling over 250k in population.
Administrative Associate
The University of Texas School of Law
01.2016 - 09.2018
- Supervised all 4,200+ School of Law course instructor surveys and records, ensuring accuracy and timely completion.
- Enhanced the student experience by optimizing the management and oversight of Exam4 software for 800+ students.
- Supervised all classroom reservations for 1400+ professors, teaching assistants, and students.
- Processed 600+ incoming certifications per semester from students and alumni from the Board of Law Examiners in all 50 states.
- Managed final exam operations, including proctor training, exam review, and processing.
- Recognized with the Employee of the Month award in April 2017 for consistently outstanding performance.
Administrative Associate
Sam Houston State University - School of Music
08.2013 - 01.2016
- Oversaw the scheduling of 100+ classes, recitals, studios, ensembles, and major performances each year.
- Led department accounting in the absence of the accounting director, maintaining accurate financial records and ensuring continuity of operations.
- Conducted interviews, hired and managed 20+ student workers, and monitored all projects, timelines, and timesheets.
- Communicated with 2,500+ parents and campers on 700+ Music Summer Camp registrations, tracking $250k in funds.
- Managed the facilities and scheduling of an 800-seat concert hall and 175-seat recital hall.
- Supervised all social media efforts and grew the audience by promoting events and camps.
Policy Analyst
AmeriCorps
07.2012 - 05.2013
- Worked directly with the CFO, providing data analysis and insights to inform policy strategy and development.
- Conducted research to identify best practices and implement them, including policy writing and structure studies, to improve the organization's standards.
Education
Master of Public Administration -
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TXBachelor of Business Administration - Management
The University of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TXSkills
- Strategic Advising & Executive Partnership
- Executive-Level Communications & Briefing Preparation
- Project Leadership & Execution
- Stakeholder Engagement & External Relations
- Complex Scheduling
- Meeting Cadence & Executive Logistics Engagement
Timeline
Executive Assistant III to the Dean
Texas A&M University – College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts
03.2024 - Current
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Presidian Hospitality
04.2023 - 04.2024
Executive Assistant to the Provost & Office Manager
University of Montana – Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
10.2022 - 03.2023
Program Coordinator II
Texas A&M University - Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness
02.2022 - 04.2022
Administrative Associate V / Operations Supervisor (concurrent role)
Texas A&M University - Provost's Development Office / Public Partnership and Outreach
09.2018 - 02.2022
Administrative Associate
The University of Texas School of Law
01.2016 - 09.2018
Administrative Associate
Sam Houston State University - School of Music
08.2013 - 01.2016
Policy Analyst
AmeriCorps
07.2012 - 05.2013
Master of Public Administration -
Tarleton State University
Bachelor of Business Administration - Management
The University of Texas At San Antonio