John Watret, Ph.D. FRAeS

Florida Virtual School Leadership

Florida Virtual School is led by a team of executive experts who bring extensive experience and rich backgrounds in education, technology, business administration, and public policy. The Executive Leadership team is focused on delivering the highest quality educational solutions to students and families, administrators, schools and districts nationwide.

Board Member, Florida Virtual School

Chancellor, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide

Dr. John Watret, Chancellor for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide provides leadership and strategic direction that fosters growth, maintains academic integrity and promotes efficient operations for the Worldwide Headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida and the more than 130 campus locations worldwide.

Dr. Watret has overseen the growth and expansion of online education for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. His commitment and dedication to leading the campus to provide accessible, tech-forward degree programs is reflected in the award winning, highly recognizable programming and curriculum that is used with more than 23,000 students annually. Under his direction, the Worldwide Campus has experienced an increase in accredited programs, an expansion of highly qualified faculty and staff, and the introduction of research initiatives all of which help to advance the university’s relationships throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America. Embry-Riddle Worldwide has been ranked #1 in the country by U.S. News & World Report for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for 2021 and has held rank in the top five for the last seven years.

Dr. Watret is active with organizations both nationally and internationally, serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Asia, Ltd. in Singapore; as a board member for the Greater Miami Aviation Association; as an elected member for the Flight Safety Foundation Board of Governors; as a board member for the Aerospace Alliance, Inc.; and as a board member and former board chair for the Florida Virtual School Board of Trustees. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS) and has been a featured speaker and panelist at several national and international conferences. During his 30-year tenure with the University, Dr. Watret has served in several administration roles and he is a tenured Professor of Mathematics.

A licensed private pilot, he holds a Ph.D. and Master of Science in Mathematics, both from Texas A&M University, and a bachelor’s degree with honors from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland.