US Presidential Cabinet Secretary, US Navy Admiral. From 1989 until 1993, he served as the US Secretary of Energy during the administration of President George H.W. Bush. His father was a business executive, his mother was active in the political arena, he graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1949 and served under Admiral Hyman Rickover. He attained his MS degree in Mechanical Engineering from the US Naval Postgraduate School in 1958 and during the course of his career, he garnered a Bronze Star, a Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit. Admiral Watkins served as Commander-in-Chief of the US Pacific Fleet from 1981 to 1982 and Chief of Naval Operations from 1982 to 1986, prior to being selected by President Reagan to head the administration's commission on AIDS. During his tenure as US Secretary of Energy, he prioritized modernizing America's nuclear weapons program and devised a proposal for the purpose of shutting down outdated nuclear plants throughout the United States. He oversaw efforts to conserve energy, while Middle East oil production was halted during the Persian Gulf War. He was later tapped by President George W. Bush to serve as the US Commissioner on Ocean Policy. He died of complications from congestive heart failure.
US Presidential Cabinet Secretary, US Navy Admiral. From 1989 until 1993, he served as the US Secretary of Energy during the administration of President George H.W. Bush. His father was a business executive, his mother was active in the political arena, he graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1949 and served under Admiral Hyman Rickover. He attained his MS degree in Mechanical Engineering from the US Naval Postgraduate School in 1958 and during the course of his career, he garnered a Bronze Star, a Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit. Admiral Watkins served as Commander-in-Chief of the US Pacific Fleet from 1981 to 1982 and Chief of Naval Operations from 1982 to 1986, prior to being selected by President Reagan to head the administration's commission on AIDS. During his tenure as US Secretary of Energy, he prioritized modernizing America's nuclear weapons program and devised a proposal for the purpose of shutting down outdated nuclear plants throughout the United States. He oversaw efforts to conserve energy, while Middle East oil production was halted during the Persian Gulf War. He was later tapped by President George W. Bush to serve as the US Commissioner on Ocean Policy. He died of complications from congestive heart failure.
Bio by: C.S.
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