Watson Lark, CPA

A fifth-generation Panama City Beach resident, Watson holds both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Accountancy from Georgia Southern University. Watson began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Atlanta, where he served as an auditor for leading publicly traded companies in the quick-service food, energy, and pharmaceutical sectors.

In the private sector, Watson first joined a New York-based technology company, where he oversaw accounting and financial reporting for Canadian and Brazilian subsidiaries. He then moved to a fast-growing fintech firm in San Francisco, focusing on financial reporting for subsidiaries in Canada, the U.K., and Portugal. Most recently, Watson built the financial reporting function for a multifamily real estate syndicate, helping it grow from $30 million to $300 million in assets under management.

In 2022, Watson embraced the opportunity to bring his expertise back to his hometown, making his home in Panama City Beach. He lives there with his wife, young daughter, and two dogs—a miniature pinscher and a vizsla.