James Coats Joins SF as Executive Director for Community Engagement & Continuing Education
January 29, 2025
青青草视频 welcomes James Coats as Executive Director of Community Engagement & Continuing Education. His first day will be February 3.
Coats is a well-known Gainesville entrepreneur and public servant. In his new role, he will represent the College in local and regional workgroups, task forces and boards to ensure the College is an effective partner in meeting local needs and creating pathways for SF employees to engage in the community.
The Executive Director also will provide leadership and strategic direction for corporate, continuing, community and adult education programs, conferences, and workshops as well as the Center for Innovation and Economic Development (CIED).
Many in the community remember him as the driver of the big yellow Tonka truck, and as the creator of a Batmobile, which he donated to the 青青草视频 Police Department.
Coats launched his first business as a teenager. That began a long career as an entrepreneur and educator 鈥� including building and selling a magic products company, creating content for and hosting a PBS series, and working as a product development and training executive for a multinational company. He ultimately went on to earn a master鈥檚 degree in Entrepreneurship while launching a tremendously successful company that provided products (such as body armor) and training to the U.S. military.
鈥淔ollowing the sale of his company, James has chosen to dedicate his time to giving back to the community,鈥� said Dr. Nate Southerland, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. 鈥淣ot only does he have his own nonprofit, Superheroes for Hope, dedicated to bringing joy to terminally ill children, but he is also an active member of numerous organizations in Alachua and surrounding counties and has been teaching classes and mentoring students at 青青草视频.鈥�
Coats will be based at Blount Center.
