Terrence Ates is a native Tylerite whom earned his Master of Education in Health & Kinesiology from UT-Tyler in 2008. While pursuing his degrees, a younger Mr. Ates worked as a waiter, a tumbling coach, a pizza delivery driver, an overnight stocker, and as a professional wrestler.

Since 2012, Mr. Ates has been employed with the Northeast Texas Public Health District, the local health department for Tyler and for Smith County, and he serves as their Director of Community Outreach and as their Public Information Officer.

Mr. Ates is married with two daughters, one granddaughter, two female dogs, one female cat, one neutered male cat, and ten goldfish of unknown gender.