LTG Bates was appointed president of Global Security & Engineering Solutions when it was created in January 2008. The name defines the company - solving security and engineering-related business problems for a worldwide public- and private-sector business base. During his business career LTG Bates has also served as president of SYColeman (a division of L-3) and as a Senior Vice President in MPRI, (also an L-3 division).

LTG Bates is a native of Trumansburg, New York. He graduated from Cornell University in 1964, was commissioned as a 2d Lieutenant of Infantry and served 33 years in the US Army. A Ranger and paratrooper, he commanded an airborne infantry company in combat, served three years in the 2d Ranger Battalion, commanded a mechanized infantry battalion, a brigade in the 82d Airborne Division and the 2d Armored Division. LTG Bates served as the Vice J3, Joint Staff from 94-95. He retired from active service as a Lieutenant General in 1997, after serving as the 58th Inspector General from August '95 to October '97. During the period January to June 2003 he was recalled to federal service to help stand up and deploy the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance to Baghdad as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

LTG Bates, who has a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas, is married to the former Patricia Greene who is also a graduate of Cornell University. They have three children: Carolyn (Mrs. Larry Talbert), Matthew, and Lieutenant Commander Justin Bates, US Navy.