The RANGE (Regional Accelerator for Growth and Entrepreneurship) has appointed Jay L. Barrett to lead Horizons, its workforce development initiative aimed at preparing the Texas Panhandle’s workforce for future economic growth.
Barrett, a longtime Amarillo educator and community leader, most recently served as principal of AmTech Career Academy, a nationally recognized, award-winning career and technical education campus within Amarillo Independent School District. During his tenure at AmTech, Barrett worked closely with students, educators, and employers to better align education programs with the evolving needs of the workforce.
“Jay is the right person to lead this priority area for The RANGE,” said Matt Garner, interim executive director and a board member of the organization. “He understands how to build large-scale programs, has strong relationships with educators and employers across the Panhandle, and brings a clear understanding of how workforce development impacts long-term economic growth.”
Workforce development plays a critical role in regional economies, according to national workforce studies, which show that communities with strong talent pipelines tend to have higher job retention and greater economic resilience. A recent strategic plan conducted for the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation highlighted the availability of skilled labor as the top factor influencing business and industrial growth. The report also identified AmTech as one of Amarillo’s key workforce strengths.
Barrett said his experience at AmTech gave him insight into the importance of developing workforce programs that meet both current and future needs. “Leading AmTech gave me a front-row seat to just how important efforts like this are and why they are critical to our future,” he said. “We have to build programs that meet today’s workforce needs while also preparing for what lies ahead. At the same time, we must do a better job of helping students and adults understand the career opportunities available right here in the Panhandle. Many people believe you have to leave the region to find a good career, and that simply is not true.”
Garner emphasized that collaboration will be central to the initiative’s success. “This has to be an all-in approach,” he said. “Bringing together industry leaders along with public and private partners is essential if we want to ensure our workforce has the tools needed for long-term success and resilience.”
Barrett added that aligning workforce training with regional economic growth will be a priority. “I want to help align workforce needs with a talent pipeline that includes both technical and professional skills,” he said. “There is a critical balance between attracting new business and ensuring we have the workforce needed to sustain that growth.”
In addition to his work with AmTech, Barrett currently serves as chairman of the Amarillo College Board of Regents and as a board member of Harrington Regional Medical Center. He has held leadership roles with the Community College Association of Texas and the Panhandle Workforce Development Board. His commitment to education and public service has earned him numerous honors, including being named an Amarillo 2023 Citizen on the Move and receiving Tech & Learning Magazine’s Leadership Award.
“At the heart of this work are people,” Barrett said. “I am excited to continue working with young professionals and helping create opportunities that allow them to build strong careers and strong lives right here in our community.”
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