Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Gov. Perry Appoints Nine to Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities

AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry has appointed nine members to the Texas Council for
Developmental Disabilities (TCDD). The council ensures that Texans with
developmental disabilities have the opportunity to be independent,
productive and valued members of their communities.

Rebecca Hunter Adkins of Lakeway is a volunteer and non-profit spokesperson.
She is a fundraiser for Ride on Center for Kids, SIRE Therapeutic Equestrian
Center, and Texas Hearing and Service Dogs. She is a volunteer facilitator
and mentor for the Texas Youth Leadership Forum, and an ambassador for the
Ms. Wheelchair Texas Foundation. Hunter attended Austin Community College.
She replaces Melonie Smith Castor of Bedford for a term to expire Feb. 1,
2015.

Kimberley A. Blackmon of Fort Worth is a data entry specialist at Harman
Construction Inc. She is a self advocate for the Arc of Tarrant County and
Down Syndrome Guild, and a drama member of We Have a Voice. She is also a
volunteer hostess for Friday Nite Live and a past focus representative for
Self Determination. Blackmon graduated from the Eastern New Mexico
University Office Skills program and attended Tarrant County College. She
replaces Amy Ley of Euless for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2015.

Kristen L. Cox of El Paso is president of Checkpoint Services Inc. She is a
board member of the Texas Association of Historically Underutilized
Businesses and the Austin Regional Office of the National Center for Mission
and Exploited Children. Cox received a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M
University and is a graduate of Partners in Policymaking. She replaces
Vickie Mitchell of Montgomery for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2015.

Mateo Delgado of El Paso is an associate attorney at Hector Delgado PLLC. He
is a member of the Texas and New Mexico Bar associations, and the New Mexico
Federal Bar Association. He is treasurer of the Paso Del Norte Children's
Development Center Board of Directors. Delgado received a bachelor's degree
and law degree from the University of New Mexico. He replaces Jan Newsom of
Dallas for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2013.

Diana Kern of Cedar Creek is founder of EXPECT RECOVERY! She is a member and
advocate for the Planned Living Assistance Network of Central Texas Board of
Directors, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and U.S. Psychiatric
Rehabilitation Association. She is also a spokesperson and advocate for
persons living with mental illness. Kern received a bachelor's degree from
Texas Christian University. She is being reappointed for a term to expire
Feb. 1, 2015.

John C. Morris of Leander is an assistive technology coordinator for the
Center for Disability Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. He is
the center's representative to the Disability Policy Consortium, and a
member of the consortium's housing, employment and long-term services and
supports committees. He is also the TCDD representative to the National
Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, and a member of the
council's services and conference planning committees. Morris received an
associate degree from Southwest Institute. He is being reappointed for a
term to expire Feb. 1, 2013.

Dana Smith Perry of Brownwood is an advocate for the disabled. She is a
member of the Arc of Brownwood and chair of the University of Texas
Affiliated Program for People with Disabilities. She is also a volunteer
coach for the Special Olympics and treasurer for the Brownwood EX Students
Association. Perry is being reappointed for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2015.

Deneesa A. Rasmussen of Arlington is a former special education teacher. She
is a member of the Texas Organization of Parents, Advocates and Attorneys,
and Arlington Independent School District Special Education Advisory
Committee. She is also a parent contact for the ARC of Greater Tarrant
County's Our Special Children Program. Rasmussen received a bachelor's
degree from Texas A&M University and a master's degree in social work from
the University of Texas at Arlington. She replaces Raul Trevino of McAllen
for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2015.

Richard A. Tisch of Spring is a sales consultant for Willis HRH. He is chair
of the TCDD Public Policy Committee, and a member of the Texas Public Risk
Management Association, State and Local Government Benefits Association,
Texas Municipal Human Resources Association and Texas Association of School
Business Officials. He is also a Boy Scout troop leader and coach for the
YMCA and Special Olympics. Tisch received a bachelor's degree from the
University of Texas at Austin. He is being reappointed for a term to expire
Feb. 1, 2015.

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