Chairman

Marc Watts is President of The Friedkin Group, a privately held and diverse consortium of businesses and investments in the automotive, hospitality, entertainment, golf and adventure industries, including Gulf States Toyota, one of the world’s largest independent distributors of Toyota vehicles and parts.

Prior to joining The Friedkin Group, Watts was Vice Chairman and Managing Partner-Houston of the 700-attorney law firm of Locke Lord LLP, with over 26 years of experience in corporate and securities law, governance and related matters.

Watts is the chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Houston Branch Board of Directors and was the 2018 board chair of the Greater Houston Partnership. He serves on the board of Service Corporation International, Cabot Oil & Gas, and Highland Resources, Inc. In addition, Watts is a member of various civic and community boards including, United Way of Greater Houston, and Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation.

Watts earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University and a law degree from Harvard University.