TDW and Associates has nearly four decades of experience in creating, building, managing and leading complex organizations in the public, nonprofit and private sectors. Concentration in Behavioral Health, education, business and China.

Working with a dedicated community board, staff and community provider network manage and lead a comprehensive system of care, treatment and support for over 70,000 people with mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance abuse.

Tom Watkins is president of TDW and Associates an LLC formed to provide trusted advice to not-for-profit, education, healthcare and business clients. With a lifetime interest in China Tom has traveled, written about and worked in China for over 3 decades. Tom served as president and CEO the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority, state superintendent of schools for the State of Michigan 2001-05, president and CEO of the economic council of Palm Beach County, Florida, 1996-2001, special assistant to the president of Wayne State University, 1990-96, deputy and director of the State of Michigan, department of mental health, deputy chief of staff and deputy campaign manager for Governor Blanchard. He help establish a shelter for runaway youth, the first charter schools in Michigan and Florida.Tom is the proud recipient of numerous awards for his work including: * 2010 Upton Sinclair Award from EdNews.org. * 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from Leadership Detroit/Greater Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce. * 2012 Leadership Tribute from Chinese Association of Greater Detroit for a lifetime of achievement of building educational, economic and cultural bridges with China.2013 Diversity Award from Corp. Magazine and the Michigan Business and Professional Association.Tom is a prolific communicator and sought out commentator with hundreds of essays in columns in domemagazine.com, edviews.org, The Lansing State Journal, chinausfocus.com and regular columns in various newspapers across Michigan.Two educational reports of note: * 2004 Structural Funding Issues Facing Michigan Schools in the 21st Century.A report advocating for schools and municipalities to share services and address rising health care and pension costs. http://www.michigan.gov/documents/michiganschoolfunding_110803_7.pdf * 2005 The New Education (R)evolution e-learning for Michigan Schools: www.inacol.org/research/docs/e-learningreport.pdf