Following an engineering education, and some years in both the oil and building industries, he spent many years as a senior manager with a manufacturing organisation. Whilst there, as a Director, he controlled and further developed an International wing of the parent organisation, servicing half the Globe. Subsequently John created his own companies, servicing businesses of all disciplines and size. The services provided business diagnosis, correction, development, and management practices, including both preparation for formal certification to both Australian and International Standards, and auditing to the Standards for, and on behalf of, the licencing body, JAS-ANZ. The consulting company, John L Bates & Associates Pty Ltd became the Australian leader in its field of operation, whilst the auditing company, Total Quality Certification Services Pty Ltd, is presently ranked number three for JAS-ANZ on the International scene. Following an International interest in food preparation and safety, a third company was created, Adelaide Microbiology Service, a food and water testing laboratory, essentially to provide custom for the initial two organisations. His family consists of his wife of 58 years, Ruth, and four children, all of whom are successful business persons in their own right. John is now retired and spends his idle time writing, having written his biography, a business text book, and several short stories.
