With over 25 years of experience driving digital transformation and business growth, Gary Watkins is an inspirational technology executive and disruptive change agent. He is passionate about motivating high-performance teams, developing people, and turning vision into reality. Watkins has held various leadership roles across multiple industries, including automotive, manufacturing, communications, banking, ecommerce, and healthcare.

At Amazon Web Services (AWS), Watkins helps customers build secure, high-performing, and efficient cloud solutions that exceed their needs and achieve greater business value by realizing the full potential of running in the cloud. As a trusted customer advocate and executive advisor, he provides cloud adoption and digital transformation thought leadership, while leading a team of high-performing solutions architects and strategists.

Prior to his role at AWS, Watkins spent almost 20 years at KAR Global, a leading international automotive marketplace platform. During his tenure, he held several key positions, including CIO of Digital Services & International Markets and CIO of IT Shared Services (ITSS). As CIO of Digital Services & International Markets, he was responsible for conceptualizing, developing, and leading the digital transformation of the business, as well as overseeing the company’s international expansion into underserved and emerging markets. As CIO of ITSS, Watkins executed a rapid turnaround and transformation of the IT shared services function, enabling business growth while controlling costs.

Watkins is recognized for his industry expertise, thought leadership, and has received numerous awards, including the CIO 100 Award, the Digital Edge 25, and a ranking in the Information Week Elite 100. He is also a member of the Forbes Technology Council and co-chair of the Indianapolis CXO Executive Summit.

Watkins holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Ball State University and holds various industry certifications from TOGAF, CIPM, CISM, PMP, and AWS.

Raised on a farm in Ohio, Watkins developed a strong work ethic and a passion for learning from an early age. He now resides in central Indiana with his wife and two daughters, enjoying golfing, hiking, and traveling. He is actively involved in charitable organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors for TechPoint Foundation for Youth, Westfield Youth Assistance Program, and Indianapolis Habitat for Humanity.