Commissioner Bates was born and raised in Highlands County . He was elected to the commission in 2006. Commissioner Bates attended Highlands County Schools, graduating from Lake Placid in 1954.  He has a BS and MS from the University of Florida in Agricultural Economics and completed course work at North Carolina State University for a PhD in Economics and Statistics. He brings an enormous amount of practical experience in business and local knowledge, having owned and operated his caladium farm for 30 years.

His past experience includes: Research Director at Research Triangle Institute in North Carolina for 15 years; Chairman, Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District for over 15 years; Mediator for Highlands County Court for over 10 years; Member of Lake Placid Growth Management Committee and Board of Directors for Highlands Independent Bank.

He currently serves on the Children's Services Council Committee, Community Traffic Safety Team, Small County Coalition Board of Directors, Value Adjustment Board, Hospital Board, and Industrial Development Authority.

Commissioner Bates is also a veteran who served in the 101^st Airborne Division for three years.  Additionally he is a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Placid .  He lives in Lake Placid and has been married to his wife, Dorothy for 50 years.  He has four daughters, ten grandchildren and one great grandchild.