David Watson Joins Williamson’s Board of Trustees

David Watson, vice president of engineering at Campbell Soup Co. and son of the late Wayne Watson 4W8 longtime board chairman, has joined Williamson’s board of trustees announced William J. Bonenberger 7W9, board chairman.

Bonenberger said, “Dave brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from the engineering and plant facilities perspective, having spent a large part of his career overseeing Campbell’s international operations. He also has the unique perspective of having a grandfather and uncle as alumni, and a father as the longest serving board chair in our history.  Dave has literally been exposed to Williamson since he was old enough to remember. Although not an alumnus he is a Williamson man in every way and the board couldn’t be more excited about having Dave coming on board to help us lead Williamson into the future.”

President Michael Rounds said, “We are delighted to have a board member with Dave’s engineering knowledge in addition to his experience as a project manager and executive leadership. He has always been a part of the Williamson family — his grandfather, uncle, and father all graduated from Williamson. Dave knows our unique mission well and is committed to helping us take Williamson to the next level. It is exciting to have Dave be a member of the board his father chaired and served for so many years.”

Watson said, “My father devoted a good portion of his life to Williamson, serving 33 years as chairman of the board of trustees. As his son, I shared the visits to Williamson as a child, including Alumni Day and Founder’s Day events. I also learned about the mission of the school and now recognize how important this mission is in the world we live in today. I look forward to working with Bill Bonenberger, Michael Rounds, and the members of the board as we continue the journey that my father set in place during his tenure as chairman.”

Watson has over 30 years of experience in the food industry, currently serving as vice president, engineering, Global Biscuits and Snacks, Filling and Packaging, at Campbell Soup Co. He is responsible for overseeing engineering activities across Campbell International and Pepperidge Farm; leads the Global Filling and Packaging function; and leads all engineering activities for Campbell in Europe, Latin America, Australia, Indonesia, China, and Malaysia. In 2008-11, he lead the soup manufacturing startup in Moscow, Russian Federation, and Xiamen, China.

Earlier, he spent 25 years at Pepperidge Farm in several capacities, including as a project manager for the design and construction of three state-of-the-art food plants. He left as vice president of engineering.

He earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering at Drexel University and an MBA at Saint Joseph’s University.

He has served on the American Society of Baking Executive Committee, Bakery Equipment Manufacturers Association Advisory Committee, Biscuit and Cracker Manufacturers Association board, the American Baker’s Association Environmental Committee, and the International Bakery Show 2010, 2013, and 2016 Executive Committees.

His numerous awards include the Campbell Influence with Honor Award, the Pepperidge Farm President’s Award, and two New Food Plant of the Year Awards.

His hobbies are antique cars, hunting, and fishing.