Mr. Watson has served as Director of Research at Alerian since 2009.

Previously, Mr. Watson was a portfolio manager and led the MLP research effort at Swank Capital LLC, a Dallas, Texas, based MLP specialist. From 2002 to 2005, he covered the MLPs and diversified energy sector for RBC Capital Markets in the firm's Equity Research Division. From 1996 to 2000, Mr. Watson worked for Prudential Capital Group helping to analyze, structure, and invest in debt private placements issued primarily by companies involved in the energy industry including those involved in oil field services, midstream services, and oil and gas exploration and production.

Mr. Watson earned his MBA from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin in 2002 and earned his BBA from the University of Texas at Austin in 1996. Mr. Watson has been a CFA charterholder since 2000.