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.