Director, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department

Hardy Watkins serves as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.  Watkins was appointed in March of 2006 by the Tourism and Recreation Commission, after serving one year as President and CEO of the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce.

Watkins had served with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department from November 2002 to April 2005.  He was originally appointed as Director of the Travel and Tourism Division, and was responsible for coordination of marketing, advertising, industry relations and other Travel and Tourism Division activities, as well as the day to day operations of the agency. Prior to joining the Tourism and Recreation Department, Watkins was owner’s representative for the Oklahoma City National Memorial and the Memorial Center Museum, and coordinated all activities related to the construction, completion and opening. Representing the Memorial Trust and Foundation, Watkins facilitated an on-time and within-budget completion of the outdoor symbolic memorial and Memorial Center Museum.

A native Oklahoman, Watkins is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a major in journalism.  He is married to Kari Watkins, who along with their son Ford and daughter Caroline, reside in Edmond.