Janie Bates is the Executive Director of the Texoma Workforce Development Board dba Workforce Solutions Texoma.  Workforce Texoma administers employment, training and child care services to the residents of Cooke, Grayson and Fannin Counties.  

She serves as a volunteer with 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 Sherman Chamber of Commerce.  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 a member of High Noon Toastmasters and has attained the level of Distinguished Toastmaster.

Workforce Texoma has written a number of grants that have brought funds to the Texoma area, the most recent for $200,000 for a Regional Planning Grant with Southern Oklahoma.  In 2005,  Workforce Texoma won a $50,000 award for work with the Fannin County Literacy Council.  Workforce Texoma has been recognized as the highest performing small workforce board in the state of Texas and has received National awards for exemplary programs.

Janie is a graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University and a resident of Sherman.