Board of Directors
The Autism Treatment Center's Board of Directors, comprised of volunteer members, is dedicated to the mission,
philosophy and goals
of the Center. Their direction and individual expertise has brought the Center tremendous
growth and a staff of dedicated professionals.
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Len R. Leek |
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Dennis P. Ingram |
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William T. Kniker, M.D. |
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David Epperson, CPA |
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Steve Barnett |
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Lynda Billa Burke |
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Dodge Carter |
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Carol Dabner |
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Bebb Francis |
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Randy Garrett |
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Roger Gray |
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Fernando A. Guerra, M.D. |
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Bobby Norris |
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Mark O'Reilly, Ph.D. BCBA |
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Lourdes Pizaña, Ph.D. |
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Jill E. Rowlett |
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Lynn Smith |
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Beth Susens |
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Peter Townsend |
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Jo Ann Webber, Ph.D. |
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David E. Young |
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Monte C. Zajicek |
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Profiles
Steve Barnett
Steve is an attorney at law and lends his expertise in financial and legal matters to ATC’s Board of Directors.
Steve enjoys traveling and has visited most corners of the world; he also serves as a board member to other
Dallas-area non-profit organizations. Steve is the parent of an adult child with autism.
Lynda Billa Burke
Founder and Chairman of the Autism Treatment Center Honorary Advisory Board. Lynda is currently an elected
Member of the East Central School District Board of Directors, serves on the Witte Museum Board of Directors and
is on the San Antonio Planning Commission and the San Antonio River Commission. As a former City Council Member,
Lynda brings to the Board a greater understanding of how ATC can better serve the San Antonio community.
Dodge Carter
Dodge Carter received a BBA degree from Southern Methodist University in 1987. Dodge is a Director with Crow Holdings,
responsible for multi-family investment and development throughout the United States and has been a member of the
Crow Holdings real estate team for over 5 years. Dodge and his wife of 23 years, Dee, have 3 children; J.Dodge (18),
Nicole (16) and Mack (13) and resides in the Dallas area.
Carol Dabner
Carol is a member of the Texas Bar and is an attorney practicing guardianship; probate; estate planning and elder law.
She acquired her Juris Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin and also holds a Bachelor of Science in
Occupational Therapy (cum laude). Carol serves as a board member of the State of Texas Guardianship Certification Board
in addition to her contributed service as an ATC Board member.
David Epperson, C.P. A. David is currently a partner with the accounting firm of Saville, Dodgen & Company, P.A.
He graduated from Baylor University with a B.B.A. in accounting in 1975. David is a member and past officer of the
local chapter of the Texas Society of CPA’s and is also a member of the American Institute of CPA’s. He has authored
several articles for trade publications and has experience speaking to groups about various tax and accounting topics.
He and his wife Rachel and their three sons reside in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas. David enjoys golfing, reading
and playing sports with his sons.
Bebb Francis
Bebb is currently an attorney-at-law with Francis Law Firm. He earned his law degree at St. Mary’s University School of Law
and is a registered lobbyist providing legal advice in the areas of telecommunication, commercial real estate, economic
development incentives, and zoning, platting, and land use.
Randy Garrett
Randy is a graduate of Texas Christian University with a degree in business administration and is a candidate for the
Certified Investment Member (CCIM) designation. He is currently a Principal of Transwestern Commercial Services.
He has over 26 years of experience in commercial office brokerage, marketing and advertising. Randy’s community
involvement includes Metropolitan YMCA and Park Cities YMCA chairman of the Board of Directors from 1998-1999.
His awards and achievements include YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas Character Champion and Volunteer of the Year for
Park Cities YMCA.
Roger Gray
Roger has played an active role in San Antonio’s business community for over 25 years, helping Bexar Metropolitan Water
District
with economic development and land matters in building the city’s first, history-making potable water production plant that uses
surface water. Roger also presided over the San Antonio-Mexico Sister Cities Committee, and served on the board of directors
of the Free Trade Alliance San Antonio from its founding in 1994 until 2006, serving for three years on that body’s executive committee.
He currently serves on the Board of Governors of the REALTORS® Commercial Alliance, the governing body for commercial REALTORS®
within the San Antonio Board of REALTORS® (SABOR), sits on SABOR’s Government Affairs Committee and heads the Board Fundraising Committee for the ATC.
Fernando A. Guerra, M.D.
Fernando is the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District Director and oversees the operation of 32 health locations throughout
the
San Antonio community. He sustains a long-standing interest and involvement in improving access to health care systems
for infants,
women, children, and the elderly. Fernando has been active with local, regional and national forums with
responsibilities including research, program and policy development, legislative issues and health planning.
Dennis P. Ingram, Secretary
Dennis specializes in financial services and is associated with New England Financial. Dennis has been involved in the financial services
sector for 23 years. He earned his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation from the College of Financial Planning and is
also a registered representative of New England Securities. He received his Bachelor’s from St. Edward’s University in Austin,
his Master’s from the
University of Central Oklahoma and has begun work toward a doctorate at the University of North Texas,
Denton. Dennis’s professional
goal is to help businesses and individuals develop strategies to meet future financial goals and
objectives.
William (Ted) Kniker, M.D. , Vice President Clinical Services & Research
William is a graduate of the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, where he also received his pediatric training, following which
he completed specialized training as a research fellow in experimental immunopathology at the Scripps Clinic
and Research Foundation in
La Jolla, CA. His academic assignments have included faculty appointments at the University of Arkansas Medical Center in Little Rock,
and the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. A gifted speaker,
William has a long and distinguished career as a
lecturer in allergy and immunology. He is a full-time, practicing allergist who has
authored over 150 original articles, books and book chapters. William is the parent of an individual with autism.
Len R. Leek, President
Len is president of L.R. Leek Enterprises, Inc. , a worldwide marketing and sales company specializing in industrial products,
since 1985.
Len earned his M.B.A. from Ohio University and his undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma.
Len has served as President
of the ATC Board of Directors since 2000. Len & Patty Leek have a daughter in the Dallas program, Monica Leek.
Bobby Norris
In 1988 Bobby founded the Roundup for Autism that is today ATC's biggest fundraising event. Bobby is a rancher and quarter horse cutting champion and trainer. Bobby attended Colorado State University and after graduating moved his equine operations to Texas in 1982.
Bobby is a past president (three terms) for American Quarter Horse Association; board member of the National Cutting Horse Association;
and member of the National Cattle Raisers Association. Currently, Bobby serves as a board member of the
Stock Show Syndicate,
Cowboy Hall of Fame and the ATC. He is an advocate of therapeutic horseback riding. Bobby has
an adult daughter with autism.
Mark O'Reilly, Ph.D. BCBA
Mark is a Professor in the Special Education Department at the University of Texas in Austin. Mark has done extensive
research
on autism, assessment and treatments of severe behavioral disorders. In addition, he pioneered studies for
the development and
evaluation of assistive technology with individuals with autism. Mark has an impressive list of
publications to his credit.
Lourdes Pizaña, Ph.D.
Lourdes received a Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary’s University and a Masters Degree in Counseling and Guidance. Lourdes is employed by the Rosa Verde Family Health Group. As Chief Executive Officer, Lourdes oversees all administrative, financial, and clinical aspects of the mental health organization. She is a parent of a child with autism.
Jill Rowlett
Jill is a community volunteer for the Autism Treatment Centers, Children’s Medical Center and Roundup for Autism, as well as several other community organizations. She is an active supporter of the Friends of ATC.
Her husband, Tracey Rowlett,
is a former anchor with CBS11-Dallas/Fort Worth. Jill and Tracey have a son
with autism.
Lynn Smith
Lynn served as Chairman of the ATC Honorary Advisory Board during the years that enabled ATC to build it’s current facility.
As former owner of Tuesday Mornings, Lynn has help to decorate ATC’s community based group homes as well as contributed countless items to our fundraising auction table. Lynn is a true philanthropist and shares invaluable insight and expertise in fundraising to ATC.
Beth Susens
Beth is a graduate of Northwood University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and currently serves on the
Board of Governors for the University. She is a community volunteer and is involved with the Park Cities Disabilities Association, Junior Charity League of Dallas and organizations related to autism and learning differences. Beth and her husband, Scott,
have a son with autism.
Peter Townsend
Peter is a retired Executive of ExxonMobil and is very community minded serving not only on the board of the ATC but he
is also on the Board of Directors for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the Dallas Opera. He is a loving grandfather of
two children with autism and has given extensively to research efforts.
Jo Ann Webber, Ph.D.
Jo has been special education faculty at Texas State University since 1986. Her professional experience began with
teaching students with autism, emotional and behavioral disorders, and mental retardation. Jo is a past president of the
International Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders, a division of the Council for Exceptional Children. Her interests
include recruitment of qualified special education teachers, educating students with autism and emotional and behavioral
disorders, and promoting positive behavioral programming in the schools. She is co-author of three textbooks: Emotional and Behavioral Disorders: Theory to Practice (Webber & Plotts, 5th Ed. , 2008, Allyn & Bacon), Autism: Teaching DOES Make a Difference (Scheuermann & Webber, 2002, Wadsworth), and Educating Students with Autism: A Quickstart Manual (Webber & Scheuermann, 2008, PROED). For 20 years she has consulted with school districts throughout the state and nation regarding students with autism and emotional/behavioral disorders, and managing difficult student behavior. She initiated the effort to develop and open the Clinic for Autism Research, Evaluation, and Support (CARES), a clinic specializing in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders, at Texas State. She also serves as chair of the Austin Area Autism Task Force established by the Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Jo is currently serving as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the College of Education.
David E. Young
David has over 25 years of healthcare executive experience in several venues including acute care hospital settings, outpatient physical rehabilitation, autism, and outpatient behavioral healthcare. He has served in progressively responsible roles up to chief executive officer. David has started several healthcare ventures and participated in several turn around projects. He was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of a multi state multi company outpatient behavioral health care services organization where he developed several innovative programs during his tenure. He is a leader in the use of technology and the delivery of behavioral health services. David has also worked with a physician group to develop a company that provides telepsychiatry services which serves rural areas in southern Arizona. He has an in depth knowledge of healthcare finance and taught at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center for over ten years. He holds a MBA in health services administration from the University of Dallas.
Monte Zajicek
Monte is a partner with SHW Group, an architectural firm in Texas. His area of specialization is designing educational facilities. Monte has been with SHW Group for 27 years and is a senior vice president and co-manager of the Dallas office. Monte is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington where he received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Architecture. He is also a graduate of Leadership Dallas and a life member of the Texas PTA Association. Monte is a past president of the ATC Board of Directors.