Robert Watkins
Robert Watkins was introduced to the game of rugby by his Welsh father, but it wasn’t until he attended San Diego State University in the 1960s that he actually took the field.
Bob enjoyed a good playing career but, it was off the field that he left his mark on U.S. Rugby. Bob is a past three-term president of the United States of America Rugby Football Union. He also served in a number of other capacities for the USARFU, including manager of the Men’s National Team, the Eagles. Bob was also a three-term president, founder and first commissioner of the USA Rugby Super League. Along with being a Director of the U.S. Rugby Foundation, he also served as a Past Chairman. Bob was inducted into the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame in 2015.
Bob established R.J. Watkins & Company, Ltd., an executive recruiting firm in San Diego, in 1980. He serves as the company’s President and Chairman. His experience includes President & CEO of a $200 million operating company and Managing Director for the San Diego office of the international consulting firm of Russell Reynolds Associates. He has held executive positions with American Hospital Supply Corporation, serving on the corporation’s acquisition and divestiture team. He also served as management Consultant for the national accounting firm Deloitte & Touche. Bob was a candidate for Congress in 2008.
Bob currently sits on the boards of MSG, Inc. Owners of 1904FC, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation; Chair, Cali Baja MegaRegion; and the San Diego History Center, San Diego Art Alliance. Previously Chair, San Diego Regional Airport Authority, President, San Diego County Board of Education. He is currently a managing partner of Tollbridge Ventures LLC, a seed capital venture fund and a Board Member of Armor Designs; Power Waste Gasification LLC and MLEP LLC; Former Board Member of Regenesis Biomedical and Urigen Pharma, Inc.
Bob is a Founding Member and Trustee of the U.S. Olympic Training Center in San Diego, a board member of the San Diego Sports Alliance Foundation, and previously served on the Board of Directors for the San Diego International Sports Council; the YMCA of San Diego County; was Chairman of the Board of the San Diego County American Red Cross; and was the President of the San Diego Natural History Museum’s Board of Trustees. Robert Watkins is a graduate of San Diego State University.