Dr. Watson is an expert on econometric and statistical analytics, valuation analysis, economic and financial damage claim computations, and risk management. He teaches Security and Asset Valuation at Rice University. He also serves as faculty advisor to student teams working as consultants to businesses as part of the school’s Advanced Learning Project. Dan is a Certified Valuation Analyst.
Dan has recently advised a large industrial firm on the probability that non-tradeable executive stock options would “in the money” at specific dates prior to expiration. As part of an on-going negotiation, he has used options models to value complex purchase and sale contracts between power producers. He has also provided valuation and advisory services to a major industrial gas consumer regarding purchase of natural gas properties as a physical hedge against rising prices.
Dan has testified in a proceeding of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Texas Banking Commission.
Prior to joining Accumyn, Dan co-founded and served as Chief Investment Officer of Capstone Asset Management Company, managing $4.1 billion in assets. He chaired the investment policy committee and the securities valuation committee that was responsible for establishing the fair value of non-traded, illiquid distressed securities including issuers in bankruptcy. These valuations rose in importance following the financial meltdown of 2008 and subsequent changes in regulation and accounting standards.
Dan was Chairman of Tenneco Financial Services and led the management buyout of Tenneco Financial following the sale of Tenneco’s insurance operations. He also served as assistant to the Chairman of the Board of Tenneco, Inc. In this capacity, he assisted the chairman in acquisitions, divestitures, capital allocation, project review, and corporate strategy. He led the company’s efforts in Washington, D.C. to secure desired changes in the Natural Gas Policy Act and related tax legislation. Dan presented his analysis of the NGPA to members of both legislative houses, their staff, and regulatory staff.
He has also worked at JP Morgan Chase (Texas Commerce Bank) as an analyst with research responsibilities for acquiring or creating banks for the parent holding company. He served as speech writer for senior management.