Dr. Mark Watson, Oak Ridge City Manager, will discuss “The State of the City of Oak Ridge.”

Dr. Mark Watson has served as Oak Ridge City Manager since August 2010. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration and city management from the University of Kansas. In 2019, he received his doctorate degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in public administration and American government.

Dr. Watson is a second-generation city manager. He held this position in six cities in Texas, Montana and Arizona before coming to Oak Ridge. He has received numerous awards and honors, including an award by the International City/County Management Association (ICCMA) for his 40-year career in public service. In 2019, he received the ICCMA Community Partnership Award for his efforts in developing a public – private partnership for the redevelopment of the American Museum of Science and Energy and re-use of its former site in Oak Ridge.