Today, he is a practicing dentist with his son Ben, in Gainesville, Georgia.

Dr. Hawkins was elected President of the Georgia Dental Association (GDA) in 2003. Later, he served as Chairman of the delegation to the American Dental Association. He has been recognized by his colleagues as an Honorable Fellow of the GDA, Northern District Dentist of the Year, selected as a Fellow of the American College of Dentist, a Fellow of the International College of Dentistry, a Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and has received the Meritorious Service Award from the Emory Dental Alumni Association.

In 2007, Hawkins was elected to the Georgia Senate where he served until 2010. During this time, he served as the Chairman of State and Local Governmental Operations, Vice Chairman of Reapportionment, Vice Chairman of MARTOC, Secretary of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, a member of the Health and Human Services committee, and a member of the Natural Resources and the Environment committee.

In 2013, Hawkins was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, where he represents the 27th District which includes Hall and White counties. He currently serves the Vice Chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee and as a member of the Appropriations Committee, Insurance Committee, and the Regulated Industries Committee.

Hawkins has received the following recognitions- Legislator of the Year Award, Award of Excellence by the Academy of Independent Pharmacy Friends of Agriculture Legislative Award from the County Commissioners of Georgia President's Award from the Free Dental Clinics of Georgia He and his wife Sharon have seven children- Nora, Ivory Michelle, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Meredith, Jim, and Charlie.