Governor's Center Instructors
Internal program instructors are listed below. Program presenters also may include nationally known consultants and distinguished university faculty.
Joyce Sparks
512-475-8117
jsparks@mail.utexas.edu
Joyce is the Director of the Governor's Center for Management Development in Austin, Texas. In addition to her responsibilities as Director, she is a consultant providing organizational development services, group facilitation, conference workshops and keynotes. Joyce is also an ICF Credentialed Master Certified Coach who works with professionals and executives in both the public and private sector.
Some of her professional affiliations include: the International Coach Federation, the National Speaker's Bureau, the International Society for Performance Improvement, and the Association for Psychological Type. Joyce is certified in the use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®.
Experienced in public communications, Joyce has appeared on a variety of national news programs, testified in Federal Congressional hearings and received commendations from both the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives for her work on behalf of Texas children and families. She has provided leadership development and coaching sessions for executive officials across the United States as well as in Eastern Europe, Australia, and Canada.
Dr. Barry Bales
512-232-4028
bbales@mail.utexas.edu
Dr. Barry Bales is Assistant Dean for Professional Development at the Lyndon
B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin,
where he is responsible for developing, organizing, and administering professional
development seminars for government officials. He has administrative responsibility
for the Governor's Center for Management Development, a program that trains
over 2,500 Texas state agency managers each year in management, leadership
and quality skills. He also works with the Governor's Executive Development
Program, an intensive, educational program for top executives in Texas state
agencies; and the Office of Conferences and Training, which provides professional
development programs for client groups such as the Texas Governor's Office,
the Texas Legislature, the Council of State Governments, the National Commission
on the State and Local Public Service, and other public sector officials
from cities, counties and state agencies. He has been with the LBJ School
since 1981, previously serving as Assistant and Director of the Office of
Conferences and Training.
Grace Nied, CGMP, LMSW
512-475-8113
gnied@mail.utexas.edu
Grace Nied is the Program Coordinator at the Governor's Center, responsible for the open enrollment programs. Grace has been in this role since 2001, after retiring from the Texas Department of Protective & Regulatory Services with 27 years of service. She worked in the Child Welfare and Child Care Regulation programs, moving from a front line worker to Regional Director for Licensing, to State Office. Grace also served as the trainer for Licensing and as a Management trainer for PRS. In addition, Grace co-chaired the team that developed the Licensing procedures manual that won regional and international honors for technical writing, and which became the model for all agency manuals. She received several other awards and Board commendations during her tenure with the state.
Grace has also consulted and trained for several other states, served on federal grant review panels, facilitated several national Child Welfare Symposiums, served as a guest lecturer at two universities, and has presented numerous keynotes and workshops at local, state, and national conferences.
Active in professional organizations, Grace has served as president and on the boards of local, state, and national organizations. She is currently serving as immediate past president of the Texas Lone Star Capital Chapter of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals. She is a Certified Government Meeting Professional, Licensed Master Social Worker and Certified Investigator/Inspector.
Grace holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education. She is married with two daughters and two grandchildren. In her free time, Grace enjoys traveling and gardening.
Jim Lehrman, LMSW-AP
512-854-9879
jim.lehrman@co.travis.tx.us
Jim Lehrman first became associated with the Governor's Center for Management Development as a loaned facilitator from the Texas Department of Human Services after spending over 30 years working in various programs and holding various management positions in that agency. Recently, he became the Director of the Travis County Office of Children's Services. He received a bachelor's of Social Work degree from Texas Tech University and a Master's of Social Work degree from Our Lady of the Lake University. He is a graduate of the Governor's Center for Management Development Senior and Executive programs, as well as the Creative Leadership Institute's management program.
Jim spent 15 years managing a variety of Children's Protective Services programs in the state, 10 years in regional administration and 5 years regulating the state's long term care facilities and home health agencies. He has experienced many views of a large state agency by being a child welfare worker, a first line supervisor, a program manager, an educational specialist, a regional director, an assistant regional administrator, a regional administrator and a deputy commissioner. Presently, he is navigating the uniqueness of a county government system. his career path has taken Jim into many different organizational cultures facing many different challenges. He was viewed as a change agent in DHS, having assumed responsibility of many challenging areas of the agency and improving them through leadership and management techniques. He was selected for the county position for that change agent skill set.
Jim is an experienced public speaker and subject matter presenter. He has appeared in several articles written by most of the state's larger newspapers, Texas Monthly, The Wall Street Journal and has appeared on television shows like CBS Dateline. He was involved in the legislative process for both the 76th and 77th legislative sessions, providing most of the agency's testimony regarding the regulation of long term care facilities and home health agencies.
Jim came to GCMD with a desire to help prepare state managers for the challenges of the 21st century. " I have enjoyed working in state and local government because I have always been encouraged to practice my profession and develop as a leader," he says. "Well run programs mean that the state's citizens get quality services and support. To have well run programs, state and local agencies need well prepared managers. I want to be a part of helping that to happen."
Gail Wilhelm
512-278-0712
wilhelmg@msn.com
Gail has been a member of the Governor's Center team since 1993. As a Performance Consultant & Trainer, Gail brings over twenty-five years experience in leadership and management development and performance improvement training. Through her work in the public and private sector, she helps create positive results tailored specifically to each organization's needs. Gail inspires and energizes, while effectively imparting the knowledge, skills and abilities that lead to personal and organizational excellence. With her keen insight into human behavior, enthusiasm and zest for life, she leaves audiences feeling refreshed, inspired, and recharged. Gail's seminars and workshops provide practical knowledge and skills that you can put to work immediately.
Gail retired from the Texas Department of Pubic Safety in 1998. While at DPS, she served in a variety of leadership positions and received the DPS Division Chief's Award for Outstanding Performance in recognition of her efforts in establishment of the DPS Staff Development Program. Gail has also served on professional boards, instructed classes for the UT Informal Classes Program and presented numerous workshops at local and state conferences.
Gail is certified in the delivery of Verbal Judo, Conflict Resolution, Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator, True Colors, Insight Learning Foundation, as well as The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and Principle-Centered Leadership training. In addition, Gail is a gifted speaker, delivering information in an inspiring and thought-provoking style.
