Gov. Perry Appoints Three to the Rehabilitation Council of Texas

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry has appointed three members to the Rehabilitation Council of Texas for terms to expire Oct. 29, 2012. The council partners with the divisions for Rehabilitation Services and Blind Services to advocate for people with disabilities in the vocational rehabilitation process.

Michelle Crain of Lubbock is executive director of Lifetime Independence for Everyone (LIFE Inc.). She is president of the Texas State Independent Living Council, a national peer mentor for the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living, and a member of the Independent Living Training Committee, Hold Your Horses Therapeutic Riding Center, and Lubbock Aging and Disability Resource Center Steering Committee. She is also chair of the Hub City Access of Lubbock, and a member and past president of the Texas Association of Centers for Independent Living. Crain received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in psychology from West Texas A&M University.

Larry Evans of San Angelo is director of medical equipment sales for the West Texas Rehabilitation Center. He is past chairman of the San Angelo Mayor’s Committee for Disabled People and past vice chair of the Texas Association of Mayors’ Committees. Evans is also past chairman of the San Angelo Recreation Advisory Board and Goodwill Industries of San Angelo.

Rames Gonzalez of Palmview is a retired taxpayer services representative for the Internal Revenue Service and community volunteer. He is a past Americans with Disability Act Student Representative for South Texas Community College, and a volunteer Palmview firefighter. Gonzalez received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas-Pan American, and is a graduate of the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Business Enterprise of Texas Program.