Ben Hames is the Deputy Commissioner of Workforce at the Georgia Department of Economic Development. In this role, Hames works to sell Georgia’s workforce to would-be Georgia employers, assists Georgia companies in navigating Georgia’s workforce development system, and supports communities in developing and selling their local talent.
A veteran of two governor’s administrations, Hames began his public service career as Governor Perdue’s speechwriter and worked in the Communications department until moving on to serve Governor Deal as Deputy Chief Operating Officer, a role in which he oversaw and supported the work of approximately sixty state agencies and authorities. Hames was then appointed to lead Georgia’s administration of WIOA where he worked to create a demand-driven workforce system able to more effectively meet employer needs. Hames earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a master’s of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Erin, have two children and reside in Atlanta.