Janie Bates is the Executive Director of the Texoma Workforce Development Board dba Workforce Solutions Texoma.  Ms. Bates has over 30 years experience providing employment and training services to Texoma.

She is the chair of the Sherman Chamber of Commerce and also serves on the board of the Sherman Boys and Girls Club, United Way Grayson County, and the Fannin Literacy Council.   She has prior community service as a mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Sherman Band Boosters and the North Texas Enterprise Facilitation Project.  Janie served as the Chair of the Texas Workforce Executive Directors’ Council for 2 years and is an officer of the Texas Association of Workforce Boards. Janie is an accomplished speaker who has attained the level of Distinguished Toastmaster.  Recently, she was recognized by Texoma Council of Governments as the Grayson County Citizen of the Year for 2009.

Workforce Texoma has written a number of grants that have brought thousands of dollars to the Texoma area.  Workforce Solutions Texoma won four performance awards from the Texas Workforce Commission in 2009.  Texoma has also been recognized as the highest performing small workforce board in the state of Texas numerous times and has received National awards for exemplary programs.

Janie is a graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University.