Meet Cole Watts, a Robinson Chamber of Commerce member since 2022 who joined the Board of Directors in 2025.

Cole received an Associate of Science in Psychology from South Plains College and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, as well as a Master of Social Work, both from Texas Tech University.

Cole is the Co-Owner and Chief Operations Officer of Stages of Recovery, which he started with his best friend, Stephen Medley, as a transitional housing program. Today, it’s a dynamic, long-term outpatient treatment and recovery organization serving communities across Texas and Oklahoma. With nearly two decades of experience in leadership, recovery services, and systems development, Cole leads with a balance of business strategy and clinical insight.

He’s worked his entire life in substance use and mental health-related social services, even before he officially became a social worker. He’s a person in long-term recovery from a substance use disorder, having been abstinent from alcohol and other drugs since August 2, 2006 – hence his passion and work in this field. He’s done some ancillary work, such as helping his dad run his brick and stone company, waiting tables, and performing numerous volunteer and community service tasks.

Cole is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Supervisor (LCSW-S), Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), EMDR facilitator, Certified Social Work Manager (CSWM), and Peer Specialist Supervisor (PSS). He currently chairs the HEARD Coalition, which focuses on substance use prevention across Lubbock and the surrounding region and also serves as Chair of the new Lubbock Continuum of Care, addressing homelessness through coordinated community response. He is a person in long-term recovery, a graduate of the Lubbock County Drug Court, and deeply committed to ethical leadership and servant-hearted systems change. He also serves as the Secretary of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Texas Chapter and sits on the boards of both the Lubbock and the Greater Robinson Chambers of Commerce.

A proud Texas native, Cole has always valued the sense of community that shaped him. He’s been married to his wife, Veronica, since June 2010, and together they’re raising two wonderful children. Cole credits his incredible family as the foundation of everything he’s achieved. Veronica is a passionate advocate for youth aging out of the foster care system, dedicating herself to making a lasting impact in their lives.

Their daughter, Eliana, is creative, artistic, and well-rounded—a thriving student and a loyal friend. Wyatt, their son, is an analytical thinker with a love for engineering, gaming, and music. He plays piano, has a huge heart, and stands out among his peers in elementary school.

Cole enjoys quality time with his family and has a deep love for music, playing a range of instruments including the cello, guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass, and pedal steel. He also finds joy in gardening, community service, and attending 12-step meetings. One item on his bucket list is to audition for—and hopefully join—the Waco or Lubbock Symphony Orchestra!

For more, connect with Cole on LinkedIn: