Leadership
Leadership
Leadership & Staff
Meet the Team
Kevin Watts
Chief Executive Officer/President
Kevin Watts is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of National Trade Institute, LLC, where he leads the organization with vision, integrity, and a deep commitment to student success. With more than 19 years of experience in corporate training, staff mentoring, coaching, and leadership development, Kevin has built his career around empowering individuals and strengthening organizations from the inside out.
Throughout his professional journey, Kevin has designed and implemented comprehensive training programs that drive measurable performance improvements while fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and continuous improvement. His leadership style is rooted in service. He believes that great leaders exist to elevate those around them. By investing in people, developing clear systems, and setting high standards, he has consistently helped teams exceed expectations and reach new levels of performance.
Kevin is widely respected for his ability to build meaningful, long-term relationships with clients, students, and strategic partners. He leads with honesty, transparency, and trustworthiness, understanding that sustainable success is built on credibility and character. His strong business acumen, combined with a people-first mindset, enables him to make sound strategic decisions while remaining deeply connected to the mission of the organization.
As CEO of National Trade Institute, Kevin is passionately committed to delivering high-quality education and practical career training that creates real opportunity. He believes education should be transformative, equipping students not only with technical skills but also with confidence, discipline, and professional standards that prepare them for long-term success. His unwavering dedication to student outcomes drives the institute’s culture, operations, and growth strategy.
Kevin’s ultimate goal is to inspire others to pursue excellence, take ownership of their futures, and realize their full potential. Through his leadership, National Trade Institute continues to expand its impact helping students build meaningful careers and stronger lives.
Annie Vallarino
Director of Operations
Annie Vallarino serves as Director of Operations at National Trade Institute, where she focuses on ensuring every student experience is organized, supportive, and results-driven.
With over 15 years of leadership experience, Annie specializes in building strong systems, improving processes, and creating clear pathways for student success. She works closely with the Admissions, Student Success, and Leadership teams to ensure that students receive accurate information, smooth onboarding, and consistent support throughout their program.
Annie believes that structure creates confidence. Her approach is centered on accountability, transparency, and making sure students understand exactly what to expect from enrollment through graduation. By strengthening internal operations and refining the student journey, she helps ensure that NTI delivers a professional, streamlined, and reliable educational experience.
Her commitment is simple: when students choose NTI, they deserve clarity, organization, and a team fully invested in their success.