Dottie Watkins

First, her professional life: Dottie Watkins serves as CapMetro's president/CEO in Austin, Texas. She began her transit career in 1994 driving part-time for CapMetro while she attended the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to her appointment as head of the agency in January 2023, Watkins served as deputy CEO, chief operating officer and vice president of bus operations and maintenance. She also served as the interim president/CEO beginning in June 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Texas and a Master of Business Administration from St. Edward's University in Austin.

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What do you like best about your current city of residence?

Being born and raised here, I know there is so much to love about Austin. I would say, though, what I love most is that this region truly embraces its tag line, Keep Austin Weird. The meaning behind it goes so much deeper and truly shows how welcoming of a community we are. Although we've changed drastically over the years, we're still a unique community. We accept everyone, and that's truly why I love this place so much.

Favorite travel destinations?

I love to travel anywhere with a lovely beach, but Hawaii is by far my favorite. I've visited every island with hotels with my husband. There is something about where the water meets the land that is within every human to love and feel at peace, and it's worth appreciating. I could spend hours on end just enjoying the beach; it's my happy place.

'You'll run the place one day,' Watkins father quipped, when she started her career in transit as a University of Texas shuttle bus operator. Shown here guiding passengers during a recent SXSW event.

Favorite current TV shows?

The one show I watch consistently is "Bridgerton." I fell in love with it when Season 1 came out a few years ago because it feels like what a soap opera version of a Jane Austen novel might be.

If you had to watch one movie multiple times, what would it be?

It would have to be "Princess Bride." I have loved that movie since it came out because it's a little kooky, ironic and weird, especially for that era of movies at the time. I recently made my daughter watch it, and she didn't love it as much, but it still is one of my favorites.

What book are you currently reading?

I recently finished A Week at the Shore by Barbara Delinsky. I usually read books on my iPad Kindle app, but this one is a paper copy because we're endeavoring as a family to read more to demonstrate to my daughter the importance. So, on Sunday afternoons, we're all sitting down to read together with our paper copies.

If you had to read one book multiple times, what would it be?

Pride and Prejudice. To me, Jane Austen is the original romance author, and there's a sort of wittiness about her that I love.

Are you a fan of any of the "Pride and Prejudice" films/series?

I love the Keira Knightley version, as well as the original black-and-white film from 1940. I haven't seen the series yet, but it's definitely going on my list. I'm all about a good lady power moment.

With her husband, Herb, in Hawaii. Watkins enjoys traveling any place that has a beach.

Favorite food?

Ice cream! What's not to love?

Favorite flavor?

It's definitely a tough choice. It all depends on my mood, but I'm a Blue Bell gal through and through. If I had to choose just one flavor, though, it'd be Blue Bell pecan pralines and cream.

Favorite podcasts?

I am an avid podcast listener. My absolute favorite is the "Care and Feeding" parenting podcast. It's extremely funny and brings me comfort in realizing a lot of us parents are going through the same things raising a kid. I also love the podcast "Amicus," which is about the Supreme Court. It's fascinating to learn and understand the layers to that branch of government from someone who is an expert and can explain it in a way that helps me clearly understand.

Favorite way to stay active?

I love to swim. I grew up around water so it's always been something that I've loved to do. Plus, growing up in Austin, it's hot and swimming is a good way to cool off.

Favorite guilty pleasure?

Reality TV. I really like "Love is Blind." Some other transportation women recommended it to me and I was immediately hooked. It's such a fascinating way to demonstrate the complex layers of a human relationship, and it's also entertaining to watch.

An avid French horn player, Watkins performs in a community band and enjoys playing John Williams' film scores.

Favorite transit system?

CapMetro, of course. We run a great system here and it's also one I know so well. I grew up in Austin, so I've never lived in a city where I could know a different system as well as this one. I know how to navigate through it and, to me, that's such a big component in loving and feeling confident maneuvering about a transportation system.

Tell me about a memory you have of using public transit. . .

I was in about sixth or seventh grade, and like most kids, I wanted to hang out at the mall. To my surprise, my dad handed me 50 cents for the bus fare and simply told me when to be home. It was a moment when I had an epiphany about my growing independence and the opportunities ahead, and that's what transit represents for so many.

What would surprise people to learn about you?

Most people would not know that I grew up playing the French horn and actively play it to this day. It's the one thing I have done since I was 12 and I played in high school and college, so it feels very core to who I am. I am part of a community band today, and I really love it because it's like a forced meditation. When we rehearse or perform, I must be mentally and physically present, which helps take my mind off other things. There are few other opportunities like that in my life.

Why the French horn?

When I joined the band in grade school, my older sister was also in the band, and I wanted to pick an instrument different from hers (the flute). I was torn between the oboe and the French horn, but since I couldn't make a sound on the oboe reed, the French horn it was.

What is your favorite piece of music to play?

Almost anything by John Williams. Nearly all of his movie scores feature a soaring French horn line, so they're fun to play.

What do you think you'd be doing if you didn't work in public transportation?

When I was a kid, I was determined to be a teacher. I even had a teddy bear that I was constantly teaching lessons to in elementary school. My first major in college was music education, and for a very brief moment, I thought about getting certified in something else, too, like math. However, I ended up switching my major to sociology.

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