Governor Abbott Appoints Five To State Independent Living Council
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Jacqueline L. Clark, Pam Clark, Alex San Martin, and Joe Rogers and reappointed Leah Beltran to the State Independent Living Council for terms set to expire on October 24, 2021. The council develops the State Plan for Independent Living and serves as a resource to state and local organizations on Independent Living and related issues for persons with disabilities.
Jacqueline L. Clark of Manor is the outreach coordinator and parent advocate for The Arc of Greater Houston. She is the former co-president, member, and webmaster for the Autism Society of America Greater Houston Chapter and is a graduate of Partners in Policymaking. Additionally, she is a former member of The Harris Center Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Planning Advisory Committee (IDD-PAC) and the IDD-PAC Authority Committee. She also has volunteer experience with Star of Hope and The Omega House. Clark received a Bachelor of Business Administration in administrative management systems from Texas Southern University.
Pamela Clark of Richmond is an independent living counselor at The Houston Center for Independent Living. She was previously an independent living information and referral specialist for the Fort Bend Center for Independent Living, and previously worked for MHMR of Harris County, Alamo Local Authority MHMR, and The Aging and Disability Resource Center in Longview. Additionally, she is a Certified Navigator with Texas Health and Human Services. Clark received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Louisiana College and a Master of Science in non-profit leadership and management from Walden University with a specialization in international cultures.
Alex San Martin of Austin is a legislative intern for Texas House of Representatives. He also has experience working for the California Senate and the Board of Communities Actively Living Independent and Free. San Martin received a Bachelor of Arts in communications from The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Joe Rogers of Amarillo is the CEO of the Panhandle Independent Living Center (PILC), and previously served as the development director and the transportation coordinator for the PILC. He is a former member of the Amarillo Commission on People with Disabilities. Rogers received a Bachelor of Arts in communications from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Arts in public administration from Golden Gate University.
Leah Beltran of Abilene is executive director of Disability in Action, Inc. Center for Independent Living. She is chair of the Texas Association of Centers for Independent Living and member of the Texas Department of Transportation Stakeholders Committee for the City of Abilene. She is also a volunteer for 211 Texas - A Call for Help and former member of the Mental Health Association of Abilene and the ADA Advisory Board to the City of Abilene. Beltran received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from The University of Texas at the Permian Basin.