Mayor Tom Watson

Tom Watson is the former president and co-owner, with his wife, Barbara, of Tom Watson's Prosthetic and Orthotics Labs, Inc. He recently retired after fifty years in the prosthetics industry. Tom studied at the Northwestern University Medical School at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. He entered the field of prosthetics and orthotics in 1972 after a construction accident left him in need of a prosthesis but without resources to procure one. 

Tom has served on many local, state and national boards and has spent many years as a paraprofessional football and baseball coach at the high school and collegiate level. He was a founding member of the KFL youth football league, for which he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with youth sports. Watson was a recipient of the Owensboro Public School Hall of Achievement Award and was honored by the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Assn. as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in prosthetic care for people with limb loss. He currently serves on the Foundation Board for the Owensboro Community and Technical College, the You Decide, Kentucky! (YDK!) Board, as well as the Kentucky League of Cities, Inc. Board of Directors.



Watson first served as Mayor of Owensboro from 2005-2008. He was re-elected for a second term in 2016 and is now serving his third term. Tom and his wife Barbara have two sons, David and Jeff Phelps, two daughter-in-laws, Trisha and Krystal, and seven grandchildren.

Faith, family, and community make all the difference in our ability to face life’s greatest challenges.  Tom Watson is an overcomer who took great personal tragedy and turned it into great triumph.  He continues to pay it forward every day and is a true inspiration. 

Over the past few years, I have been honored to work alongside Tom Watson on various projects and have seen first-hand his gifts in leadership. These include his ability to see the bigger picture along with his ability to bring people together. He is a gifted communicator and helps bring clarity and understanding to the table when needed. He makes AND takes the time to listen to all sides valuing each unique perspective in order to make the most informed decisions.

Tom Watson leads from the heart and keeps faith, family, and community at the center of every decision. It is no wonder that he has twice been elected. I believe that during these unprecedented times, continuous leadership is especially important to keep our community moving forward. 

Owensboro has truly been blessed by his leadership and I respectfully ask for your vote for Tom Watson for Mayor.