CGA Team
Doug Watson, Senior Advisor
Doug Watson recently retired from the Department of Homeland Security where he served as Technical Assistance Branch Chief, Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP), Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In his role was responsible for developing and distributing IED-specific protective measures for critical infrastructure during elevated threat levels, participating on various interagency IED working groups, and providing subject matter expertise on DHS policy efforts to counter IEDs.
Prior to joining DHS Doug spent over 40 years in leadership providing operational, fiscal, and strategic leadership to the world’s most visible and influential brands, including U.S. Army and the Walt Disney Company. Adept in leading large organizations; crisis action centers; emergency operations centers; customer relationship management; business planning and development; developing and coordinating-Counter-IED plans and programs, performing Counter-IED capability and vulnerability analysis of national scope; project and program management; business reinvention; operational process involvement and operations management; risk management; security; law enforcement; crisis management; physical security; anti-terrorism; force protection; major event planning; audit and vulnerability assessments; critical infrastructure security and resilience; operations & policy development, training, and continuity of operations(COOP) planning, development, and execution.
Select achievements include: Significant accomplishments in the execution of major security events (examples being Disney’s 50th Anniversary, 2003-2014 Disneyland’ New Year Eve parties, and Pirates of the Caribbean World Premier). In January 2017 received Mission Excellence Award from DHS for leadership and support during Hurricane’s Harvey, Maria, and Irma. Empowering team builder who effectively interacts, motivates, and mentors a diverse workforce, and thrives on collaborating with diversely talented team members. Have led large-scale companywide initiatives for operations, special projects, security, emergency/crisis management, human resources, and financial planning. Critical thinker and strategist-develops creative solutions to drive organizational improvements, solve complex business challenges, increase output, and reduce costs.
Doug is the past Chairman of the Board of Directors, American Red Cross, Orange County Chapter, California Desert to Sea Region and former member of the Diversity Leadership Advisory Board, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
A retired U.S. Army Colonel, Doug holds a BA from Norwich University and multiple Masters degrees, including from National War College, Naval War College, Central Michigan University, and Shippensburg University. He’s a graduate of the executive leadership programs at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University and Harvard Kennedy School.