Ira Bates

Ira Bates Jr. is a native of Mobile, Aabama. He is a graduate of Davidson High School. After high

school, he attended several colleges and universities before settling down and graduating from

the University of Mobile where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration

Management. He also is a 2019 graduate of the Alabama Banking School at the University of

South Alabama.

Ira has worked extensively in the area of non-profit development where he is responsible for helping raise over $30 million and helping hundreds of thousands of people in our local community. Currently, he is the Vice President and Community Development Officer at The First Bank where he oversees their community development efforts. He has served in many capacities as a volunteer and board member in our community.

Ira has been recognized for many achievements most recently, he received the Samuel Boykin Medal of Honor for his outstanding service to our community from his alma mater. He is a member of the inaugural

Mobile Bay Magazine’s top forty under 40 leaders. In addition, he was the board President of The Grounds (Greater Gulf State Fair) where he and the board were instrumental in making the fair and The Grounds a more family friendly experience.

He has been married to his wife, Jennifer for 23 years, and they have a 20 yr. old daughter, Ryan.