Members

Rehabilitation Council of Texas (RCT)

The current leadership and membership of the RCT.

Leadership

Gennadiy Goldenshteyn: Chairman of the Rehabilition Council of Texas (RCT).

Gennadiy Goldenshteyn (Chairman)

of Dallas is Managing Director of First Principles, LLC, a boutique management consulting firm. He has held leadership positions at Welbilt, Yum! Brands, UTC Aerospace Systems, and Ford, and has served numerous companies with McKinsey & Company. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of Deaf Action Center. 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.

Members

Christopher “Mark” Baird

of San Angelo is a Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor for the Texas Workforce Commission. He previously served as a Unit Support Coordinator and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services and as a Community Supervision Officer for Concho Valley Community Supervision and Corrections Department. He is a member of the Concho Valley Workforce Development Board. Baird received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Texas Tech University and a Master in Rehabilitation Counseling from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

Glenda Born

of Austin is a retired Assistive Technology Specialist for the Texas Workforce Commission. During her 40-year career, she served as Director and Qualified Mental Retardation Professional at Marbridge Foundation Intermediate Care Facility for developmentally challenged women, a Rehabilitation Teacher and Team Coordinator for the Texas Commission for the Blind and a Work Adjustment Specialist for the Travis Association for the Blind. Additionally, she holds a professional counselor’s license. Born received a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s in Education from Stephen F. Austin State University.

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.

Michele Norris

of La Porte is a Regional Blind Services Specialist at Texas Workforce Solutions. Previously, she served as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. Dobbins received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Saint Vincent College and a Master of Science in Clinical Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from Texas Tech University.

Norine Gill

of Taylor Lake Village is the founder and executive director of Imagine Enterprises, which guides individuals with disabilities in benefits planning, employment services, and consumer directed services. She is a member of the Association of Business and Professional Women and the Association of People Supporting Employment First. Gill received a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and a Master of Science in Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin.

Michelle Harper

of San Marcos is the president and CEO of United Way of Hays & Caldwell Counties. She serves as vice chair of the San Marcos Academy Bear Network, board secretary for the Master’s School of San Marcos Foundation, board member for the First United Methodist Church of San Marcos Foundation, and a volunteer assistant tennis and basketball coach for San Marcos Academy. Harper received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and Public Relations from Southwest Texas State University, as well as a teacher certificate from Texas State University.

Kiffany Jefferson

of Rowlett is a transition specialist with Mesquite ISD. She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Sharing Life, Creative Kids Learning Center, and the Thompson Rehabilitation Center. Additionally, she is a board member and president of an Abundance of Love Enterprises, LLC. Jefferson received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Special Education from Southern University and A&M College and a Master of Arts in Special Education from The University of Texas Permian Basin.

Emily Robinson

of Pflugerville is an Educational Program Specialist at the Texas Education Agency. She is a member of Texas Association of the Deaf. Robinson received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Sciences and Disorders and a Master of Science in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing from Texas Woman’s University.

Jordan Smelley

of Burleson is a former mental health peer specialist with co-occurring intellectual and developmental differences with the Association of Persons Affected by Addiction. He is a member of the National Association of Peer Supporters, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the Phi Theta Kappa International College Honor Society. Additionally, Smelley is a volleyball referee with the Special Olympics of Texas and a graduate of Burleson High School.

Peggy Schmidt

of Lucas is Program Administrator for Supported Employment at LifePath Systems. She has nearly twenty-five years of experience in the field of Supported Employment. She is a member of the Association of People Supporting Employment First. Schmidt received a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Criminal Justice from South Dakota State University. Peggy Schmidt of Lucas is Program Administrator for Supported Employment at LifePath Systems. She has nearly twenty-five years of experience in the field of Supported Employment. She is a member of the Association of People Supporting Employment First. Schmidt received a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Criminal Justice from South Dakota State University.

Daniel Solcher

of Allen is the President at Northampton Growth, LLC and the Director of Latin America Hearing Aid Mission. He is a board member of Be An Angel Foundation DFW Chapter. Additionally, he served as a volunteer for Sunshine Cottage School for the Deaf, Ability at AT&T, and San Antonio Deaf Action Center. Solcher received a Bachelor of General Studies from Texas Tech University. Daniel Solcher of Allen is the President at Northampton Growth, LLC and the Director of Latin America Hearing Aid Mission. He is a board member of Be An Angel Foundation DFW Chapter. Additionally, he served as a volunteer for Sunshine Cottage School for the Deaf, Ability at AT&T, and San Antonio Deaf Action Center. Solcher received a Bachelor of General Studies from Texas Tech University.

Karen Stanfill

of Houston is Advocate Supervisor for the Client Assistance Program, (CAP), 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 15 years. She is a member of the National Rehabilitation Association, the Texas Rehabilitation Association, and 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 Karen Stanfill of Houston is Advocate Supervisor for the Client Assistance Program, (CAP), 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 15 years. She is a member of the National Rehabilitation Association, the Texas Rehabilitation Association, and 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.

Shannon Rosson

of Bedford is the PACT Project director for Partners Resource Network. She is a member of the Community Resource Coordination Groups for Dallas, Ellis, Kaufman, and Tarrant counties. Rosson is also a former member of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District Council of Parent Teacher Associations. Additionally, she is a member of the Trinity High School Softball Booster Club and a former Coach for the Special Olympics of Texas. Rosson received a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from The University of Texas (UT) at Austin.

Erica Kress

of Aubrey is the second vice president for the National Federation of the Blind of Texas Dallas Chapter. She is an advocate for Living Beyond Limits, Safety Positive Foundation, and a volunteer for Texas Blind Soccer. Kress received a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from UT Arlington.

Melva Henderson

of Dallas is the founder and CEO of Living Beyond Limits nonprofit organization and has over 10 years of professional experience working within the blind and visually impaired community. She is a vision life coach, helping others create a roadmap to successfully live a life beyond limits while providing events that bring awareness to an underserved community. Henderson received a Bachelor of Social Work from Texas Woman’s University and a Master of Social Work from East Texas A&M University. Additionally, she received a certificate in business management from George Mason University.

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