Featured Leader: Bart Spivey

Bart Spivey

Business Development Project Manager, Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas & LT Class of 2017

What have you learned most about making a difference in Texarkana (or about your opportunity for community leadership) from being a part of Leadership Texarkana?

Leadership Texarkana exposed me to the great number of development efforts taking place in our community.  As a leader in the community, you don’t always need to start a new project or initiative.  Sometimes all you need to do is lend your support and contribute to those meaningful efforts already underway.  

What does leadership mean to you?

A leader must be willing to make decisions, share praise during times of success, and accept responsibility for failures or mistakes.  Leadership is measured by how you interact with, motivate, and develop those around you.

For what community organization or issue or opportunity do you have a passion and invest your time, talent or money?

I’ve been with Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas for the past six years.  To be honest, prior to working here, I didn’t know anything about the workforce system.  Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas covers 9 counties in Texas, and last year our 4 offices in the region served more than 23,000 job seekers and 1,700 employers.  The most important thing I’ve learned during my time with this organization is the power of partnerships.  We rely heavily on partnerships with employers, education, economic development, and many others to accomplish our goals for the region.

If you had one wish and could make a difference of significance in Texarkana (your small corner) what would you do with that one wish and why?

As part of the Texas Workforce system, we have the opportunity to visit various areas of the state and are often communicating with our colleagues in those areas.  The Texarkana region has a lot to offer as an area that can attract new business, jobs, tourism, investment, etc.  My wish would be for the region to realize this and deliver a unified message to support community and economic growth. 

What do many people not know about you that you would to share with us?   What are some of your passions and hobbies?  

Most mornings, for some reason, I drag myself out of bed and drive across town to Crossfit Texarkana around 4:30 AM.  I’ve been doing crossfit for about a year now and really enjoy the friendly competition and family atmosphere. Sports were a big part of my life growing up and I’ve enjoyed passing on what little knowledge I have to my son.  We are constantly on the move for practice and games.  My wife and I have also have 3 years old twin boys who make it their mission to keep us on our toes. 

What do you most love to do in Texarkana?   

Spending time at any of the local parks with my family. 

What do you most love about Texarkana, in general?

The friends we’ve made and reconnected with over the years.  Growing up in Texarkana, both my wife and I have family that live in the area.  I’m glad that my kids are able to grow up surrounded by friends and family.

Bart is a native of Texarkana, graduating from Pleasant Grove in 2000.  He has an MBA from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Bachelor’s in Finance from the University of Central Arkansas.  Bart currently serves as the Business Development Project Manager for Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas.  He’s married to his wonderful wife Amber, and they have three boys, Bret, Easton, and Beckett.

Says Bart:

My personal mission for community significance is to work with natural partners, advancing efforts in regional collaboration.  Through intentional partnerships, the greater Texarkana region can apply shared resources and wisdom, in an effort to attract and grow quality jobs.  Identify actions that result in regional economic growth.   My intention is to work through my career in workforce development to expand partnerships focused on addressing skills gaps in the regional workforce.   Support local efforts in expanding entrepreneurship opportunities such as the Small Business Development Center activities and the Startup Weekend at Texas A&M Texarkana.  Increase my awareness of local policy affecting economic activity, by attending city council meetings and public engagement meetings.