Karockas (Doc Rock) Watkins, Ph.D., Th.D.

Chief Executive Officer/President, Vision Excellence Company (VEC)

Contact

301 Sparkman Drive
Huntsville, AL 35899
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Biography

Dr. Karockas Watkins is the CEO and president of Vision Excellence Company, a leadership and business consulting company. He is also the CEO, president and executive director of Ability Plus, Inc. in Huntsville, AL which employs over 500 people statewide. He currently serves as board overseer/lead pastor of Emmanuel The Connection Church in Huntsville, AL and president of ICM (International Covenant Ministry). In addition, he serves in the capacities of international motivational and keynote speaker, leadership trainer, business mentor and executive/leadership/life coach for individual leaders, corporations and nonprofits. He holds seminars, conferences and corporate trainings both domestically and internationally.

Dr. Watkins serves as a leadership mentor to several domestic and international leaders. His travels extend to over 31 countries of the world including Nigeria, Kenya, China, Honduras, Israel, Philippines, Brazil, India, UK and others.

Dr. Watkins is a "Distinguished Thesis" graduate of Kettering University (formerly General Motors Engineering and Management Institute), where he received his bachelor's in mechanical engineering. He also holds a master's in theology, a doctorate of theology and a doctorate of philosophy all from North Carolina College of Theology. He has a certification in business excellence from Vanderbilt University Owens Graduate College of Business. Dr. Watkins has worked in management for General Motors Corporation, International Business Machines (IBM) and calibration with Johnson Controls, Inc. Karockas was the recipient of the Excellence Thesis Award for Development and Implement Complete Quality Plan for the Saturn Plastic Radiator Tank Molding and Subassembly Cell. His thesis has been cited as confidential since its completion. At IBM, he served as a project leader and on the development team and was listed on the Executive Management “Watch List”. During his time at Kettering University, he was a founding member of the Sigma Phi Iota honor society.

Dr. Watkins serves on several boards and participated in several programs including the Cadence Bank Advisory Board, LAUNCH 2035 Executive Committee, Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce Board and Executive Committee, Heart of the Valley YMCA Board Chair, Huntsville Committee of 100 BizPac Board Vice Chair, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle’s Mobility Advisory Council, Alabama A&M School of Business and Public Affairs Advisory Board, Alabama A&M Business Cluster Board, Harold Coomer Evangelism Association Board, Huntsville/Madison County Flagship L30 Class, Leadership Alabama Class 30 and many others.

Dr. Watkins is a native of Decatur, AL. He is married to Dr. Audra Watkins, his wife of 30 years and of their union they have two daughters, Brianna 27, Christian 23, and a 17-year-old son. Dr.  Watkins has been an ordained minister for 34 years and is very passionate about seeing people live productive lives. Though he is graced to serve in all of these capacities, he is just honored to be a servant of people to help them maximize their core values and lifelong potential.

Curriculum Vitae

LinkedIn


Education

  • Graduate Certificate, Business Excellence, Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Business
  • Ph.D., Theology, North Carolina College of Theology
  • Th.D., Theology, North Carolina College of Theology
  • M.A., Biblical Studies, North Carolina College of Theology
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Kettering University

Affiliations

  • Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee
  • Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle’s Mobility Advisory Council
  • Huntsville Hospital Foundation Board
  • Huntsville Committee of 100
  • GMI Presidents Council
  • Decatur Entrepreneurial Center Board
  • Drake State Community College Foundation Board
  • Cadence Bank Huntsville Regional Advisory Board
  • LAUNCH 2035 Executive Committee
  • Heart of the Valley YMCA Current Board Chair

Honors & Awards

  • Russel G. Brown Executive Leadership Award Finalist, 2018

Expertise

  • Certificate in Business Excellence (CBE)
  • Certified Executive Coach and Certified Executive Leadership Coach (ECCP)
  • Certified in Emotional Intelligence (EICC), Train the Trainer

Recent Publications

  • Watkins. (2022, November 30). No Bad Days: Seize Your Opportunity.

  • Watkins. (2021, October 8). God-A-Tude: An Attitude Based on the Word of God that Brings Success to Your Life.

  • Goodson, Johnson, Francis-Jones, Kelly, Longmire, Owens, Watkins, Ripley, Schaffer, & Wood. (2020, December 2). The ABCs of Influence.

  • Carolina Jr., Merriweather, & King. (2020, June 23). The Purpose and Power of Mentorship. Amanda Goodson.