Staff Directory

Jackie is the founding executive director for the Brazos Valley Center for Independent Living (BVCIL), located near the home of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.  She has over thirty years’ experience working with people who have disabilities as a Sign Language Interpreter, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and Special Education Teacher & Administrator.  Additionally, she has taught Adaptive and Assistive Technology at Texas A&M and worked with school districts in establishing structured work experience programs for students with disabilities.

Jackie has a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M. She received her master’s degree in counseling and undergraduate degree in rehabilitation services from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Jackie and her husband of 35 years, Bryan, enjoy their 3 grandchildren, Jesus and naps!

“I have a Master’s Degree in Social Work; experience for 50 years in all facets of social work specialties: medical inpatient and community social work, community IDD services, State of Missouri transforming IDD services from institutions to home and community-based settings; not-for-profit Medicaid Waiver IDD services provider case manager, Children’s Therapist with local authority behavioral health. Independent Living to me is the ability to live in one’s own home and community as fully as possible with the best quality of life possible; to obtain equal access in housing, employment, governmental service as all persons and be able to fully engaged in community and public life. I worked with BVCIL for over 10 years. I chose to apply at BVCIL when the Program Manager position was created due to the mission statement, the independent living philosophy which drives it, and from actively engaging in consumer referrals from my previous service coordination job to BVCIL due to what I observed was happening in the Center.”

Craig is originally from Temple, Texas.  He started working in the Independent Living Network in 2014 at the State Independent Living Council where he worked as the Executive Assistant and later as the Project Coordinator with a special focus on accessibility.  He started working for BVCIL in December of 2022 as a Program Manager where he supervises and coordinates the day-to-day management of the center’s programs.  In his spare time he enjoys writing and occasionally performing comedy. 

Bio to come.

“I am originally from Louisiana. I am a mother of three beautiful daughters, and a grandmother of eleven grandchildren. I have my certification in Job Development and Job Skills Training from UNT. To me, Independent Living is the ability to advocate for one’s self. I have worked with BVCIL for 9 years. My passion is to see others achieve to the best of their ability and have self-worth about achieving it. BVCIL promotes the power of independence and offers persons with disabilities the opportunity to be all they can be. As a person living with a disability myself, the mission of BVCIL is aligned with my everyday life and I couldn’t be more proud to serve others through this organization.”

“I was first introduced to BVCIL during my time with the PATHS program, which I graduated as Valedictorian. I also volunteered as a server for Dining In The Dark with BVCIL. To me, Independent Living means to claim and use your inherently given free will. I have worked with BVCIL for about eight years. I treat and work with everyone and show them the humanity and dignity they deserve. I chose BVCIL for it’s unique approach and its strong emphasis on working directly with people.”

“At BVCIL we help Consumers with disability’s live independently. I have worked for BVCIL for 7 years. I enjoy helping the consumers we work with. I help them by transporting them to their doctors appointments and jobs.”

Bio to come.

“I’m a Black belt and I have lived in a few different states. I used to assist my martial arts instructor in class. Independent Living to me is to be able to make decisions and actions of your own with as little outside interference as possible. I will have worked with BVCIL for two years this November. As a driver I transport people to where they need to be that they could not otherwise get to, and answer or direct them to who can answer questions they have. I chose the organization because I have experiences with people who had difficulties and how people helped or didn’t help and I wish to support these people.”

“I am a great-grandmother of 13, my grands and greats call me Lady, I am the oldest of 7 children and we are a very close family. My education is a Life-education. I worked on a seismic boat in the Gulf of Mexico, elected to the position of Recorder/Treasurer of Diamond City, Ar and later, was part time Mayor. I then moved back to Texas (close to Hearne) and went to work for CSISD. My husband, Benny, passed away 6 years ago from cancer, so the employees of BVCIL have become my family too. To each one of us, Independence is different. To some, it is living in your own accessible home. To some, it is financial security or having transportation available without feeling like you are a burden to someone. Going shopping when YOU want to or making an appointment for your time frame and BVCIL offers help for all of these things. I have worked as an employee for BVCIL for 2 1/2 years but worked with BVCIL and Sandra Becerra through CSISD Project Search for 7 years. I have worked with students with disabilities since 2006. I have a great niece that has Autism, a granddaughter that has Down Syndrome, and a nephew who has used BVCIL services, so I know what a blessing this organization is to people.”

A native of Texas and Bryan-College Station, I know this area well and yet still learning as we grow. I am mother to one beautiful son and grandmother to 5 rescue fur babies – 2 dogs and 3 cats. I am an entrepreneur having run an event planning and cleaning & errand business, and my other baby – SingleMoms Created4Change (a non-profit) for 11 years. I was raised with and developed my own commitment to hard work and service. I came out of self-imposed retirement to work with BVCIL because of the heart and work ethic this team of wonderful people show. I’m honored to have the opportunity to share my heart for assisting people with disabilities live as independently as they choose.