Janie Bates is the Executive Director of the Texoma Workforce Development Board dba Workforce Solutions Texoma. Workforce Solutions administers employment, training and childcare services to the residents of Cooke, Grayson and Fannin Counties.
Janie serves as the chair of the Sherman Economic Development Corporation, participated in the development of the Texoma Tech Hub, serves on the Texoma Family Shelter Board and other local advisory boards that address homelessness. She was a founding member of the Fannin Literacy Council and has served as chair of the Sherman Chamber of Commerce, Grayson County United Way, Sherman Boys and Girls Club and the Texas Association of Workforce Boards. Janie is a Distinguished Toastmaster and is also the recipient of the Sherman Chamber Athena Award and the Texoma Council of Governments Citizen of the Year. Janie was instrumental in the development of the Center for Workplace Learning (CWL) at Grayson College. CWL provides an array of customized training for local employers. Additionally, she has served as the convener of manufacturing stakeholders who created the Advanced Manufacturing Program for high school students in 5 local schools..
She has also served with the following:
- Chair of the North Texas Enterprise Project;
- Mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters;
- President of the Sherman Band Boosters;
- Secretary of the Texas Association of Workforce Boards;
- Center for Workplace Learning Advisory Board
Workforce Solutions has received National awards for exemplary programs and regional planning initiatives.
Janie is a graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She and her husband, Mike, reside in Sherman.
