Joanne Thames was raised by a father with a 7th-grade education, yet his constant reading instilled in her a strong work ethic. Thames credits him for instilling the drive that propelled her through a career spanning over 30 years in the energy industry and the last two years in higher education. Her father fostered a love for reading in her, making Thames an avid reader who particularly enjoys delving into management books, mystery novels, and faith-based material. Thames is now the assistant to the executive director of Facilities & Grounds at Midland College.
“I was born and raised in Midland,” Thames said. “When my father was discharged from the Navy, my parents moved to Midland and started a family. I have three brothers and one sister. My father was a custodian at Midland ISD for 35 years, and my mother was mostly a stay-at-home mom, but she worked for 10 years as a custodian at Midland Memorial Hospital. I guess I am still keeping that tradition alive, as I coordinate the contracted custodial staff at Midland College as part of my job responsibilities.”
Thames started her journey at Midland College in 1988 where she received her high school equivalency diploma (GED®) at the age of 24.
“I dropped out of high school, got married and had children,” she said. “If I had stayed in high school, I would have graduated from Midland High in 1982.“
In 1989, Thames was back at Midland College working toward an associate degree, which she obtained in 1991.
“By that time, I was divorced and had two little girls, ages 5 and 2,” she said. “I knew that I needed to get a degree to make a good life for them. It wasn’t easy, but my daughters gave me the drive to get that degree, and in 1992, I graduated from UTPB (University of Texas Permian Basin) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.”
During the time that she was working on her associate and bachelor degrees, Thames worked for a local oil and gas company. She then became an engineering tech working mainly in the regulatory department.
“I was laid off during the COVID pandemic and decided to turn my career in another direction,” Thames said.
In January 2022, Joanne Thames joined Midland College, initially working in the mailroom. Recognizing her work ethic, college administrators acknowledged her dedication, resulting in two promotions within a year.
As the assistant to the executive director of Facilities & Grounds at Midland College, Thames oversees the procurement of janitorial and maintenance products, collaborates with contracted companies, and provides support to the executive director in managing building and infrastructure projects. Her responsibilities extend to receiving and reviewing internal work orders, coordinating requests with maintenance personnel, and managing maintenance and custodial duties for special events, ensuring the smooth operation of maintenance and custodial areas across Midland College.
“It’s a great job,” Thames said. “I love working with the guys in the facilities and grounds department, and it allows me to give back to the college community that gave so much to me. Midland College gave me the start that I needed for a promising career and to make a good life for my daughters. I think my parents would be proud.”
Her daughters continued her example of getting an associate degree. One of her daughters has an associate degree and is a physical therapy assistant, and the other has an associate degree in management.
In August 2017, Thames married her husband David, a skilled welder in the oil & gas sector. Together, they form a blended family encompassing 8 grown children, 15 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren. When Joanne and David plan vacations, their preferred destination revolves taking their boat and indulging in water recreation at Lake Fork, situated northeast of Dallas. Sharing a mutual passion for fishing, the couple celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary last summer with a week-long getaway to Destin and Fort Walton Beach, FL. They express the desire to revisit these destinations in the near future.
In her spare time, besides reading, Thames enjoys crocheting, mostly blankets for the great-grandchildren. She also volunteers her time as a member of the leadership team for the Midland College Alumni and Former Student Association.
“I have a wonderful life,” Thames said. “It hasn’t always been easy, but thanks to my father’s teachings, I’ve always known that with hard work and perseverance, I would be able to succeed.”