Prior to election to the 105th Congress, Watkins served as president of World Export Services, Inc., an oil, real estate, and telecommunications investment company in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Previously, Watkins served 14 years in the U.S. Congress, from 1977 to 1990. During that time, he served his first four years on the Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs Committee and the Science and Technology Committee.

From 1980 to 1990, Watkins took a seat on the House Appropriations Committee. He was a founding member of the Congressional Trade Caucus and president of the House Rural Caucus.

Prior to his (1976) election to the U.S. House of Representatives, Watkins served two years in the State Senate and was in private business for nine years as owner and CEO of a residential construction and land development company.

He has earned B.S. and M.S. degrees from Oklahoma State University. 

He and his wife Lou, have three children, three grandchildren, and live in Stillwater, Oklahoma.