Rene Watson-Capsule Biography

Believing in oneself is not always easy. Believing in others is often much harder. But when good people share a clear vision for an improved world, then the collective belief that all things are possible becomes a wellspring of confidence in the abilities of everyone involved. Rene Watson has made it her life’s work to help bring various individuals and groups together to overcome sometimes daunting cultural and political differences, to visualize and express common goals, and to work toward achieving better lives for everyone on Planet Earth.

Born in Yokosuka, Japan, to a native Japanese mother and an American Serviceman during the War in Vietnam, Rene has internalized the importance of bridging cultures, languages, and personal belief systems while embracing the value of diversity in all things. As a practicing Nichiren Buddhist, she is determined to make a positive impact on everyone she encounters. This stated mission holds true for her business philosophy, as well. Rene firmly believes that with absolute integrity and a strong conviction that most people want good things for others as well as for themselves and is her true north that guides both her business and personal path. This core belief, along with her innate creativity and ability to “think outside the box,” has made her a successful business presence in Las Vegas.

In line with her desire to help people, Rene began her career in the healthcare industry. After studying Psychology at Cameron University, she began to focus on Medical Staff Management, Administration, and Business Practices while continuing her education in computer science and learning 10 computer programming languages to enhance her abilities to understand technology and its effect on the future. However, even in the midst of building a very promising career, she found time to participate in activities for many non-profit groups benefitting such diverse causes as Guiding Eyes for the Blind, The Earth Ethics Society, Childrens’ Diabetes Foundation, Chelsea’s Light Foundation, Disabled American Veterans and many others. Soon, she began to see a global need for individuals and organizations capable of building business relationships to cross geographical, political, and linguistic divides in seemingly unconnected industries. To that end, she eventually created Kofu Group (from Kosen-Rufu). Kofu’s mission is to provide marketing, media relations, and funding aid to entertainment and development projects of all sizes and on all levels.

In 2007, Rene met her dear friend and business partner Joy Sutherland at a seminar Joy was conducting in Las Vegas. The two formed an immediate bond based on shared altruistic values and world views, and worked on several profit and non-profit projects before launching a Marketing company to promote educational programs in 2009 and together, with some very talented business partners and professionals have since founded Empire Resorts International with Rene as Chairman and Joy as CEO.

As Kofu Group has collaborated on diverse Marketing, Public Relations, and Communications projects with a number of media corporations such as: New Media Vegas, LLC; John Daly of John Daly TV; Ruby Pearl Solutions; Lotus Broadcasting; and LVH Enterprises to name a few, Rene has honed her organizational and professional skills while compiling an impressive and ever-growing list of contacts in International Marketing and Finance circles. Those contacts, which comprise an invaluable human resource, allow her to extend Kofu Group’s Marketing reach into the international arena.