Free Agent Investor Ron Watson: A CDA Pathfinder

Real estate and investment adviser Ron Watson has had several careers. When Dr. Helen Harkness counseled Ron about his future in the 1980s, she suggested that his accounting position might be too restrictive for his creativity and entrepreneurial temperament. It turns out she was right.

On a visit to CDA in May 2007, he discussed future opportunities in real estate investment and detailed his evolution from Big 6 accountant to independent businessman and investor. Mr. Watson’s presentation was part of the ongoing Pathfinder Career Conversations/Career Choices Workshops held regularly at CDA. The presentations are generally open to the public.

“I credit Dr. Harkness for introducing me to the concept of working as a free agent,” Ron says. “During our work together I began developing a personal philosophy of thinking outside the box, thereby allowing myself more freedom to be creative in my lifestyle and career choices.”

Doing business now as Watson Realty Investment Advisors, Ron is managing partner of Rocky Mountain Real Estate, LLP, the largest brokerage firm in Gunnison, Colorado, and he invests on his own account. He has 30 years of accounting, real estate workout, development, finance, investment and brokerage experience. Ron is a real estate broker in Texas and Colorado, is a Certified Public Accountant registered in the state of Texas, and is a Certified Mediator.