Austin, TX—CapMetro’s board held a moment of special recognition on Monday to honor its President and CEO Dottie Watkins for her 30 years of public service to the agency.
Board chair Jeff Travillion led the discussion at Monday’s board meeting, in which he applauded Watkins for her loyalty both to the agency and to the field of public transportation over the last three decades.
“It’s rare in today’s world for someone to commit their career to one organization, especially someone like Dottie who could be running any transit agency in the country,” said Travillion. “It’s evident that Dottie’s connection to the community and care for this organization runs to the bone, and we’re fortunate that she’s chosen to remain in Austin to build her career and improve the community where she grew up.”
Watkins tenure at CapMetro began in 1994 as a shuttle bus operator at the University of Texas, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in social work. She took the part-time job as an operator during her junior year while she was a full-time student and played in the marching band.
“It was tough managing my time between classes, homework, band activities, and driving the shuttle,” said Watkins. “Juggling my schedule with these responsibilities gave me an even deeper understanding of the importance of timing, and I learned firsthand how much our customers depend on our service to get them to their destinations on time. Being reliable is critical for public transit, and it's also an attribute I try to bring to my leadership style for our team and customers.”
Watkins earned several promotions over the years, serving as the VP of Bus Operations before becoming the Chief Operations Officer and then later Deputy CEO. The CapMetro board named her President and CEO in February 2023, and last month marked her first full year of leading the organization.
“This month we are recognizing the contributions of women close to home and more broadly, and I’m proud to know that Dottie is counted among the most influential women in Austin,” said Vice Chair Leslie Pool. “Her work has direct impacts on the quality of life of Central Texans, helping us all reach the places we need to go to live, work, and play. Thank you, Dottie, for your dedication and heart for service!”
