Governor Abbott Appoints Four To One-Call Board of Texas

Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed Roberto De Leon and Sandy Galvan and appointed Joe Canales and Sockalingam “Sam” Kannappan to the One-Call Board of Texas for terms set to expire on August 31, 2022. The board has authority over “Call Before You Dig” systems that notify the underground facility operators for excavation plans so pipelines and utility lines can be marked to prevent accidents.

Roberto De Leon of Corpus Christi is a region support manager for AEP Texas. He previously served as the United Way AEP Texas Campaign Coordinator. De Leon received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi.

Sandy Galvan of San Antonio is a retired school administrator and a partner at Ardaga and Associates. She is an active community volunteer. Galvan received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Our Lady of the Lake University and a Master of Arts in Leadership, Administration, and Counseling from The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Joe Canales of Austin is senior construction manager at Spectrum. He previously served on the Time Warner Cable Diversity Council and is an active member of the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers. Canales is a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring after 22 years of service. 

Sockalingam “Sam” Kannappan of Houston is president of ABI Enterprises, Inc. He is the founder of Kannappan Art Museums, Pearland. Additionally, he is the past enforcement committee chairman of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and a member of Texas Onsite Wastewater Treatment Research Council. He is the author of book “Introduction to Pipe Stress Analysis” and technical publications on Management of Carbon. Kannappan received a Bachelor of Engineering from Annamalai University and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin. 

Governor Abbott Proclaims March 2, 2020 To Be Texas Independence Day

Through the pen and the sword, Texans fought for independence from a
government in Mexico that denied its citizens freedom and justice. While
delegates gathered at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2, 1836, to
sign the Texas Declaration of Independence, brave defenders continued
fighting, many making the ultimate sacrifice and securing independence
at the Battle of San Jacinto.

As those delegates declared 184 years ago, when a government ceases
to protect the lives, liberty, and property of the people from whom its
power is derived, that government becomes an instrument of oppression
and must be abolished. In rebellion to the actions of Mexico, brave men
and women gave rise to a free and sovereign republic.

In the fall of 1835 at Gonzales, Texans of all backgrounds banded
together to fight for the cause of liberty. Throughout the revolution,
many heroic Texans were lost, most notably at the Alamo and Presidio La
Bahia in Goliad, but their sacrifices were not in vain and served as a
rallying cry for the Texian forces under General Sam Houston. Texas
forces defeated Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21,
1836, declaring victory and securing freedom for the Republic of Texas.

The vision of freedom set down by our founders in the Texas
Declaration of Independence lives on in the Texas spirit today. As we
continue building a 21st century Texas, we must always remember how the
sacrifices of past generations build the future for the next. At this
time, I encourage all Texans to learn more about, reflect on, and take
pride in our state’s unique origins and rich history.

Therefore, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby proclaim
March 2, 2020 to be Texas Independence Day and urge the appropriate
recognition wherof. 

In official recognition whereof, I hereby affix my signature this the 25th day of February, 2020.

Governor Greg Abbott

Governor Abbott Appoints Eight To Rehabilitation Council Of Texas

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Elizabeth Kendell and reappointed Michael A. Ebbeler, Jr., Bobbie Jean Hodges, Elizabeth “Lisa” Maciejewski-West, and Karen Stanfill to the Rehabilitation Council of Texas for terms set to expire on October 29, 2022. Additionally, the Governor appointed Jennifer Clouse, Gennadiy Goldenshteyn, and Abdi Warsame for terms set to expire on February 25, 2023. The council partners with the Texas Workforce Commission to advocate for people with disabilities in the vocational rehabilitation process.

Elizabeth Kendell of San Antonio is the Bridges Program Director at H-E-B. She is a board member and Rehabilitation Program Committee member for the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind & Vision Impaired. Additionally, she is a former Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and an employment coach at The San Antonio Clubhouse and the Marbridge Foundation. Kendell received a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from St. Edward’s University and a Master of Education in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from The University of Texas at Austin. 

Michael A. Ebbeler, Jr. of Austin is president of MAEJr Resources. He currently serves as chair of the Rehabilitation Council of Texas and is a former volunteer for the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation, having served on the steering committee. Ebbeler studied government and economics at The University of Texas at Austin.

Bobbie Jean Hodges of Fort Worth is senior director of Workforce Development for Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth. She is a volunteer for New Friendship Baptist Church Feed the Homeless Food Ministry in Dallas. Additionally, she is a former member of the Association of People Supporting Employment First and the Mayor’s Advisory Council in Shreveport, Louisiana. Hodges received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Recreation Therapy from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Elizabeth “Lisa” Maciejewski-West of San Angelo is president and owner of Gold Star Medical Business Services. She is vice chair of the Rehabilitation Council of Texas and a member of the Healthcare Compliance Association and the American Academy of Professional Coders. Maciejewski-West received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, New York.

Karen Stanfill of Houston is Advocate Supervisor for Disability Rights Texas, (DRTX). Prior to her employment at DRTX, she worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor with the legacy Texas Rehabilitation Commission for Fifteen years. She is a member of the National Rehabilitation Association, a member of the Texas Rehabilitation Association, and past president of the Houston Area Rehabilitation Association. Additionally, she serves on the board of the National Coalition for State Rehabilitation Councils, which plans and provides training for state rehabilitation council members. Stanfill received a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation from Stephen F. Austin State University and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. 

Jennifer Clouse of Temple is Inclusion and Diversity Manager for McLane Company, Inc. She is a board member for Disability IN: Central Texas. Additionally, she was recognized as a Champion of Change for Disability Employment in 2014. Clouse received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Midwestern State University and a Master of Science in Leadership and Management from Western Governors University.

Gennadiy Goldenshteyn of Dallas is Managing Director of First Principles, LLC.  He has held leadership positions at Welbilt, Yum! Brands, and UTC Aerospace Systems, and has served numerous companies with McKinsey & Company.  He is a founding member of the UTC Aerospace Systems Disabled Employee Resource Group and a former board advisor for the LTU Industrial & Transportation Design Program. Goldenshteyn received a Bachelor of Science in engineering from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master of Science in engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

Abdi Warsame is a Senior Strategic Pricing Manager at AT&T. He is president of Ability DFW Employee Resource Group and an advisory board member for AbleThrive and for To Be Like Me. Additionally, he is an author and a member of the Nonfiction Authors Association.  Warsame received a Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management from North Carolina State University. 

Governor Abbott Appoints Miller And Young To Texas Early Learning Council

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Reagan Miller and Audrey Young to
the Texas Early Learning Council for terms at to expire at the pleasure
of the Governor.

The Texas Early Learning Council serves as Texas’ state advisory
council as required by the federal Improving Head Start for School
Readiness Act of 2007. The Council utilizes its breadth of stakeholder
representation to increase coordination and collaboration across state
agencies and local program and service providers in order to improve the
quality of and access to early childhood services across Texas. In
2019, the Council led a statewide birth-five needs assessment and
developed the Early Learning Strategic Plan as part of Texas’ Preschool
Development Grant project.

Reagan Miller of Austin is the Director of Child Care & Early Learning Division at the Texas Workforce Commission.

Audrey Young of Austin is a Child and Adolescent Health Manager at the Department of State Health Services.

Governor Abbott Appoints Thibodeaux To Advisory Council on Postsecondary Education for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

KATY, TEXAS - Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Agata K. “Agatha” Thibodeaux to the Advisory Council on Postsecondary Education for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for a term set to expire on August 31, 2021. The council was created by the 86th legislative session to address barriers to accessing higher education for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Agata K. “Agatha” Thibodeaux of Katy is the current
chair of the Continuing Advisory Committee for Special Education and an
executive assistant at The Frontline Group, LLC. She is a member of Katy
Independent School District Parent Teacher Association and former
member of the American Marketing Association. Thibodeaux received a
Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from Metropolitan State University in
Denver.

Governor Abbott Delivers Remarks At The Longview Sesquicentennial Ball

Governor
Greg Abbott today delivered remarks at the city of Longview's
Sesquicentennial Ball. The Governor highlighted Longview's growth into a
thriving community, as well as the profound impact the city had on his
own life. The event commemorated the 150th anniversary of the City of
Longview, and showcased Longview's rich history of industry, innovation,
and the arts. 

"Longview has grown from humble beginnings into a community that
provides hope, opportunity and inspiration," said Governor Abbott.
"Being part of this community helped shape my life, and I am proud to be
back here tonight as Governor to help celebrate the 150th anniversary
of this great city. Thank you to all those, both past and present, who
have made this community what it is today. Together, we will build an
even brighter future for every Texan who calls Longview home." 

Governor Abbott Establishes Customized Clemency Application For Survivors Of Human Trafficking And Domestic Abuse

Governor Greg Abbott today established a customized clemency
application specifically for survivors of human trafficking or domestic
violence in coordination with the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles
(BPP). The application will include a section that affords the applicant
an opportunity to provide a statement to BPP about their human
trafficking or domestic violence victimization. 

Human trafficking and domestic violence often lead victims down a
path of offenses that entraps them in a vicious cycle of abuse and
associated crime. This announcement coincides with the launch of a new
public awareness campaign that educates survivors that they can submit
an application for BPP to review and consider recommending to the
Governor for a full pardon for crimes committed while under the grips of
a trafficker or an abusive partner. 

"Texas is committed to empowering the survivors of domestic abuse and
human trafficking, and one of the surest signals of that goal is laying
out a true path to redemption and restoration," said Governor Abbott.
"The gubernatorial pardon plays an important role in this redemption
process, because it offers a second chance to survivors with criminal
convictions resulting from their abuse or exploitation. I am grateful
for our ongoing partnership with the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles
as we work together to develop a stronger justice system that promotes
redemption, restoration, and transformation." 

Governor Abbott Appoints Payne To Cancer Prevention And Research Institute Of Texas Oversight Committee

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Cindy Barberio Payne to the Cancer
Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Oversight Committee for a
term set to expire on January 31, 2025. The board oversees the
institute’s grants to fund research, facilities, cancer prevention and
control programs, and other functions in accordance with the Texas
Cancer Plan and rules adopted by the committee.

Cindy Barberio Payne of Spring Branch is a
self-employed Certified Public Accountant with expertise in financial
consulting, asset management, and financial statement analysis. In
addition to other professional roles, she previously served as chief
financial officer for Baptist Child & Family Services. She is a
member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the
Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. She volunteers on the
board of Bulverde Spring Branch Pregnancy Care Center, and previously
volunteered as staff appreciation chair for the Smithson Valley High
School PTA, and as the past treasurer of the Spring Branch Tennis
Association. Payne received a Bachelor of Business Administration in
Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of
Business Administration, with a focus in international business, from
St. Mary’s University.

Governor Abbott Announces Departure of Top Adviser

For the last seven years, Matt Hirsch has guided messaging, press relations, and media strategy for the Governor.

Governor Greg Abbott today announced that his senior aide Matt Hirsch will be departing the Office of the Governor. For the last seven years, Hirsch has guided messaging, press relations, and media strategy for the Governor. Hirsch joined the Governor’s team as Communications Director in 2013. In 2017, Hirsch was promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff where he oversaw communications and scheduling.

Hirsch worked closely with executive staff, state agencies, and officeholders to implement the Governor’s priorities and agenda. He successfully guided the Office of the Governor’s public response in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, in passing landmark public education and property tax reform, and in promoting Texas’ economic achievements here and abroad.

“Matt has been indispensable since Day One,” said Governor Abbott. “In times of crisis, Matt was at the forefront in helping craft and lead the Office’s response. His ability to navigate the most challenging policy and political issues and develop the right response is remarkable. I am grateful for Matt’s judgment, guidance, and leadership, and I wish him the best going forward.”

Hirsch has also served in Texas as Communications Director in the Office of the Lt. Governor. He previously worked on presidential, gubernatorial, and U.S. Senate campaigns across the country. Hirsch will continue to work in strategic communications and public relations on high stakes issues in the private sector. He will depart the Governor’s office at the end of February.