Happy Birthday To Dothan Businessman John Watson

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 4473

Posted by: RStokes
[email protected]
3347901729
Date: Feb 12 2020 10:48 PM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to John Watson. 

Mr. Watson is a successful husband, father, and grandfather first. In addition he is a successful Dothan businessman who is a mover and shaker in Dothan and in Alabama.

Smith’s Incorporated was established in Dothan Alabama in 1954 by Bay Minette native Jim Smith and George Bagwell.

Mr. John Watson interviewed with Mr. Smith and was hired. Then in 1966 Smith’s Incorporated was purchased from Mr. Smith by John Watson, John Danford and Jimmy Danford.

Mr. Watson is the man behind many a successful businesses in Dothan. He is the man behind many businesses being located in Dothan and jobs for the wiregrass area.

Watson can take a project and get it completed with precision, on schedule and within budget, quality constructed, and the business open doing business while others are still thinking of how to get started.

Since the late 1970’s I have known Mr. Watson. He is the same personable and approachable man today that he was when I first met him decades ago. He is perhaps the biggest mover and shaker in the wiregrass who quietly goes around making things happen with a profit.

Recently a young man talked to me about business opportunities. I recommended he talk with Mr. Watson, not to set him up in business but advise of what to do in order to start some type of business. He asked me to set the appointment and I refused telling him no, do it yourself. Without hesitation Mr. Watson met with him for almost an hour talking with him about how to be a successful businessman and get started.

Now Mr. Watson and I have been crossed over politics and issues. Do you always agree with everyone? NO. 

Disagreements have never meant that I do not like or respect someone. And John Watson is someone that I highly respect and watched over recent years.

Serving on the City of Dothan - Houston County Communications District Board and working with Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management, covering news for many years, these last few years I have thought about being "on" boards, commissions, elected officials and who has moved the ball forward more for the people.

When my term was expiring on the City of Dothan - Houston County Communications District Board I asked not to be re-appointed. And a key factor in my decision was Mr. Watson. Now I never talked with him about it, but it was watching him, how the board, commissions and elected officials work verses what really gets done.

My conclusion was, John Watson has never held an elected or political office. And his accomplishments and lives that he has made better exceeds that of any elected official that I know of. And he sits in the background with many never knowing him. But one thing for sure, every person seeking office from national to local, knows John Watson. And every one wants his support when they seek elected office.

So my conclusion is, to accomplish things, more can be accomplished in the background than in a political office or really on the board. It is a matter of knowing how to move that ball forward, a few yards at a time or the entire football field in one run.

Mr. Watson, thanks for all you do to make the wiregrass a success. While some political issues we have been opposite, you are one person that I have extremely high admiration for.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

<- back