Board of Directors and Key Personnel

PLAN of Central Texas is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization. It is governed by a volunteer Board, who understands the needs of family members caring for an adult child with a chronic disability, and, in the case of a majority of them, are in that situation themselves.

It all began with a small group of elderly parents concerned with support needed by their adult children to live independently.

Application for Potential New PLANCTX Board Members

The officers and Board for 2011 are:


	Elizabeth Choate, JD - President Ms. Choate holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Economics and a Juris Doctor with a certificate in Government Law. She has witnessed the life altering impacts of mental illness within her own family and has a deep interest in helping other families to find positive realistic solutions when helping a loved one cope with mental illness. Ms. Choate obtained her law degree and passed the bar with the hopes of using her legal skills to make a positive difference in her community. She has worked multiple sessions within the state legislature as a Policy Analyst and Chief of Staff/ General Counsel in order to promote more effective public policy solutions for overlooked populations, including those with mental illness. Currently, Ms. Choate serves as the Director of Government Relations/ General Counsel for the Texas Veterinary Medical Association

	Liz Shelby - Vice-President Ms. Shelby has served as the PLAN Care Management Coordinator and grant writer. She has a master's degree in Special Education from the University of Texas at Austin and is pursuing her doctorate. Ms. Shelby has over 35 years of experience in coordinating programs and services for people with disabilities. She retired from the Central Office of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation as a Program Specialist in 2002. Ms. Shelby was involved in the initial establishment of the Texas Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention (now, Early Childhood Intervention) and served on the Board. In addition, she managed the implementation of the In-Home and Family Support Program for individuals with mental retardation or mental illness. Ms. Shelby provided statewide training on permanency planning for children with disabilities living in institutions without involvement by the Children's Protective Services. Upon retirement from the state, she managed the federally-funded Texas Family Support Initiative through the Center for Disability Studies affiliated with the University of Texas at Austin and wrote grants for non-profits. Ms. Shelby is the Chairperson of the Planning Network Advisory Committee for Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center and is enrolled in the PhD program in Special Education Administration at The University of Texas at Austin.

	Frank Rilling, Jr. - Secretary Mr. Rilling is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin where he received an engineering degree in 1976. He worked in the computer programming field until he decided to become a Certified Peer Specialist for PLANCTX. Mr. Rilling enjoys helping others with transportation to the grocery store, doctor's office, or to run errands. His hobbies include wood carving and playing in chess tournaments having recently tied for first place in the novice section of the Southwest Open Chess Tournament held over the Labor Day weekend in Dallas in 2009.

	Anne Clark, M. S. - Board Member Ms. Clark is an avid community volunteer. She has a Bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin in Sociology and a Master's degree in Urban Studies from Old Dominion University. She wrote a book on urban planning, taught sociology at the community college level, and retired from a successful career as a real estate relocation specialist. She moved to Austin in 2004. She is very active in the outreach programs for her church. Ms. Clark volunteers at the Trinity Center, coordinates the Cold Weather Shelter, provides support to Karen refugee families and represents her downtown church on several urban planning committees. She is a member of The University of Texas at Austin LAMP Program and currently serves as Secretary for the League of Women Voters. Ms. Clark is very interested in homelessness and its relationship with mental health issues.

	Leo de la Garza LMSW-AP - Board Member Leo de la Garza, LMSW-AP: Mr. de la Garza is the Director of Special Mental Health Projects at Bluebonnet Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center. He has 34 years of experience in the mental health field, both with inpatient and outpatient services. His areas of expertise are in crisis intervention and recovery services.

	Cecile DeWitt, Ph.D. - Board Member Dr. Cecile Dewitt is a co-founder with Bob Englert and Yvonne Hansen and served as the first president of PLAN. She is on the Planning Network Advisory Committee of Austin-Travis County Mental Health and Mental Retardation and has served on the Mayor's Task Force for Mental Health. Dr. DeWitt is the Jane and Roland Blumberg Centennial Professor of Physics at the University of Texas, Emerita. She has had a prestigious career in research (several books, over 100 research articles, international awards), teaching (including visiting professorships in many countries: Brazil, India, France, Iran, Germany, England, Portugal, Canada and Costa Rica), and administration (founding the Les Houches School of Physics in France and participating in the creation of the NATO Scientific Division, etc.).

	Yvonne Hansen, Ed.D. - Board Member Dr. Hansen is a co-founder of PLANCTX with Bob Englert and Cecile DeWitt. She was a care-giver for a family member diagnosed with mental illness for many years. She earned a B.S. in Special Secondary Art Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, a M.A. in Organizational Development and an Ed.D from the Fielding Graduate Institute. She was an itinerant art-teacher in rural schools in Wisconsin, taught art in Saudi Arabia, wrote a resource handbook on sustainable growth for the Texas General Land Office, and wrote other articles on organization and group work, including a chapter on Visual Problem Solving published by MIT Press. Dr. Hansen taught courses at Austin Community College and at Park University. She has provided consulting services on planning change, instructional design, group facilitation, systems thinking, and related areas. Dr. Hansen continues her involvement with Design-Build-Live (formerly the Sustainable Building Coalition) in natural building since 1992.

	Nick Huestis - Board Member Mr. Huestis returns to the PLANCTX Board of Directors having served in the past. He has been involved with delivering services to people experiencing brain chemistry disorders for over forty years. Mr. Huestis has earned undergraduate and graduate degrees and has served both as a professional and as a volunteer in delivering social and rehabilitation community services. He organized and directed a community mental health and mental retardation center. Mr. Huestis has a daughter with a brain chemistry disorder who lives independently at the Mary Lee Foundation Community Living Center. He is currently employed as a government relations director at a local law firm.

	Terry Hutchens, CPA - Board Member Terry Hutchens, CPA: Mr. Hutchens is with the firm of Hutchens & Sheppard, LLP. The firm specializes in financial, tax, accounting, and investment advisory services. He is a native Austinite and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. He has always had a deep and abiding concern for those societal members who face life without the advantages others may have been given. This perspective has always dictated most of his life choices from student to business executive. He looks forward to bringing this perspective plus his analytical business skills to assist PLAN in their future endeavors.

	Adrienne Kennedy, MA - Board Member Ms. Kennedy-Puthoff's education includes a BA in Social Sciences and in Journalism from San Jose State University; an MA in Education Administration and Supervision (also from SJSU); and doctoral studies in the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin. She is an experienced educator, researcher, consultant, speaker and author. Mrs. Kennedy-Puthoff has been involved in numerous school and university projects in a variety of capacities (design and development, grant writing, administration, evaluation, research) in both the public and the private sectors. She has been active in community advocacy for decades on issues involving children, parent education and family support. For more than 20 years, Ms. Kennedy-Puthoff has been dedicated to supporting and championing the needs of various family members with severe mental health issueses. In the community arena, she is actively involved in education and advocacy regarding mental health issues in public policy, legislation and the criminal justice system. Ms. Kennedy-Puthoff is the current President of the Board of Directors of NAMI-Austin and has been a PLANCTX Board member and Past Secretary since December 2005.

	Marsha Phillips, J.D. - Board Member Ms. Phillips, who is currently serving on the NAMI Texas Board, comes to PLANCTX with over 17 years of experience working as a licensed attorney, mostly for the City of Houston, the last 8 years of which she has been working in her own law practice, and has done much pro bono work for consumers and their families. She also is a family member with more than one loved one with a neurobiological disorder. Marsha is a strong advocate who states: "Stigma is our worst enemy and the term "mental illness" should be replaced with "brain disorder." She's been involved with NAMI for over 13 years and holds a current family membership with PLANCTX, Inc.

	Betty Wattinger - Board Member Ms. Wattinger, a lifetime member of PLANCTX, has been active since its early inception, and is also a long time member of NAMI. She has been a volunteer for many years, holding various positions in Austin, especially focusing on helping those challenged by brain disorders. Ms. Wattinger has raised funds and coordinated the yearly ATCIC Consumer Holiday Party for many years. She has 20 years of management work experience as well as 20 years of service work as a military wife. Ms. Wattinger has a consumer family member and envisions many ways PLANCTX can grow and help persons in Austin who have mental health challenges. Ms. Wattinger faithfully volunteers once a week at the PLANCTX office.

	Willie G. Williams - Board Member Mr. Williams has over 35 years of experience in the development, direction, and implementation of behavioral health policies and programs to meet the needs of critical target populations. He has expertise in Dual Diagnosis, Chemical Dependency, HIV/AIDS, Child Abuse, as well as Crisis Intervention, Advocacy, and Outreach. Mr. Williams is adept at forging collaborations and building relationships that foster respect and inclusion, and securing buy-in from diverse constituencies in the development of successful, sustainable solutions. He is skilled in developing strategic business plans, policies and budgets that meet the needs of culturally diverse populations.


Key Personnel:
PLANCTX staff includes a part-time executive director, office staff, and several part-time care managers. PLAN also contracts with other mental health professionals to provide specialized services.

	Dr. Debbie Webb - Executive Director Dr. Webb has 34 years of experience in the fields of mental illness, chemical dependency and dual or multiple disorders, including 28 years in management positions and 14 years of experience providing clinical supervision to other professionals in the field. She has an earned doctorate in Social Work, as well as master's degrees in Counseling and Social Work. Dr. Webb is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, and a Licensed Chemical Dependence Counselor. She recently retired from working for 23 years at the Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center, the last 4 of which she served as the Division Director of Behavioral Health Services; for 10 years, she oversaw the Quality Management, Program Evaluation and Research Department. She has been on the faculty of the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work for twelve years and is currently an Assistant Professor of Social Work, and the Field Director for BSW student internship placements, at St. Edward's University School of Behavioral and Social Sciences. Dr. Webb has four years experience in private practice, and has been a nationally recognized Dual Diagnoses Consultant, researcher, and author regarding mental illness(es) and substance use disorders for 18 years. She is the designer and founder of Good Chemistry Groups for persons with dual or multiple disorders. In 2003, Dr. Webb was honored by receiving the Charles I. Wright Distinguished Alumnae of the Year Award by The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work and S.W.A.N. While being an active professional, Dr. Webb has simultaneously served as an active volunteer with numerous non-profit organizations, including the Micah 6 Food Pantry in Austin; in 2004, NAMI Texas recognized her with a Volunteer Award.

	Jennifer Allamon, LBSW - Case Manager

	Philip Carolina - Care Manager Mr. Carolina has a master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling with additional course work in educational psychology as well as statistics and counseling. He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Qualified Mental Health Professional. His background includes positions as a rehabilitation specialist with knowledge about housing, employment, and benefits. He also has experience in tutoring people with disabilities and three years of case management experience at Austin Travis County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center.

	Stephanie Dowbusz - Care Manager Ms. Dowbusz has a master's degree in counseling with a concentration in Marriage Family Therapy and Rehabilitation and a master's in Psychology. She has eleven years of experience, including working as a case manager with families who have children with developmental disabilities and as an intake counselor for a behavioral health agency and completed her internship providing low fee counseling for children, adults, couples and families. She also worked as a Substance Abuse Intern Counselor providing individual and group therapy. She has also worked as a teacher's aide and residential counselor, working with students diagnosed with developmental and/or emotional disturbances.

	Annette Doyle

	Sandy Englert - Certified Peer Specialist

	Patrick Guy, LPC - Therapist Mr. Guy has a master's degree in counseling and extensive experiences working with individuals presenting a wide range of mental health issues. He has provided both group and individual counseling in the central Texas area and is very knowledgeable of community resources. He has worked in a hospital, mental health clinic and employee assistance program.

	Sven Kindem - Certified Peer Specialist

	Bill Johns, BSW - Care Manager

	Derek Kerl, LMSW, Care Manager Mr. Kerl has a master's degree in social work with a clinical concentration from the University of Texas at Austin. He has knowledge and experience serving individuals and groups in various settings such as community mental health, hospital emergency room / crisis intervention, hospice, and popular education.

	Sheri McIntire - Care Manager Ms. McIntire has a master's degree in education with emphasis on emotional disturbance. She has spent twenty-five years working in a variety of settings including a hospital, school district, mental health clinic and the state office for early intervention. Ms. McIntire is knowledgeable of community resources and brings a rich mix of administrative and practical experiences to the team.

	Buddy Pearson - Office Staff & Peer Assistant

	Frank Rilling - Certified Peer Specialist

	Jeff Schmelzer, LMSW, Care Manager

	Sid Wattinger - Peer Assistant

	Catherine Weaver, LPC - Therapist & Group Specialist Ms. Weaver has a master's degree in counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has expertise in counseling with adults, families, groups and children/adolescents. She has worked with a variety of clients, assessed needs, developed and implemented treatment plans focusing on clients' priorities. She has 5 years experience teaching the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Family-to-Family program.


PLAN's Board of Advisors page.