Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott has announced the appointment of Juan Carlos Lopez to the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities. His term will conclude on February 1, 2026. In addition, Chelsea Elliott, Ronald Browning, and Lisa Treleaven, Ed.D., have been appointed for terms ending on February 1, 2027. Ellen M. Bauman, Neva Fairchild, and Kristie Orr, Ph.D., have been reappointed for the same duration. Governor Abbott also named Ellen Bauman as chair of the Committee.

The Committee is tasked with recommending changes in disability policies and programs, supporting a network of committees focused on people with disabilities, issuing awards to promote awareness, and encouraging compliance with disability-related laws.

Juan Lopez from Edinburg serves as a board member for the Valley Association for Independent Living. He has experience as a support member and translator for the Texas Civil Rights Project and worked as a paralegal at Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid.

Chelsea Elliott from Austin is known as the founder and executive director of half Helen. She holds positions such as McBee Fellow at the Austin Area Research Organization and associate member of the Texas Optometric Association. Elliott mentors at St. Edward’s University and St. David’s Foundation’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship Program.

Ronald “Ronnie” Browning from Spring is recognized as a legacy board member of Texas Advocates. His volunteer work includes The Arc of Texas and Special Olympics participation; he previously held leadership roles in Peoples First of Wichita Falls.

Lisa Treleaven from Montgomery works as a licensed counselor and consultant in education and mental health fields. Her involvement extends to being a volunteer parent mentor for Texas Parent to Parent and family advisor roles at Texas Children’s Hospital.

Ellen M. Bauman from Joshua has been part of the Governor’s Committee since 2018. Her previous role was special needs ministry liaison at First United Methodist Church in Arlington.

Neva Fairchild from Flower Mound owns Experts On Blindness with over three decades in blindness services work history.

Kristie Orr from College Station directs disability resources at Texas A&M University while actively participating in national conferences related to higher education disabilities topics.