Staff: Dennis Borel
Executive Director
Dennis Borel is frequently called on for research, policy analysis and recommendations to the Texas Legislature and state agencies on issues surrounding disabilities. His service on advisory groups includes an appointment by Gov. Rick Perry to the State Independent Living Council. He has successfully advocated for positive change in government policy and practice in employment, transportation, housing, health care and architectural barriers to promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities in community life.
Dennis has forty years' experience as a senior manager of nonprofit organizations, during which time his programs have received numerous state recognitions and national awards from HUD, the Points of Light Foundation, the New York Interactive Film Festival, the Barbara Jordan Media Awards and the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management. In 2006, the University of Michigan awarded him the national James Neubacher Award (see right) for promoting rights and increasing opportunities for people with disabilities and in 2009, he won the National Advocacy Award from the National Council on Independent Living. He is a former high school teacher and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco.
Boards and committees on which Dennis serves include:
Appointee by HHSC Executive Commissioner
- Drug Utilization Review Board
- STAR+PLUS Pilot Program Planning Workgroup
Advocacy workgroups:
- Medicaid Managed Care Consumer Protections Workgroup
- Guardianship Reform & Supported Decision Making Workgroup
- Texas Oral Health Coalition
- REV UP Texas Coalition
Managed Care Organization (MCO) advisory committees:
- United Healthcare State Advisory Committee
- United Healthcare National Advisory Board
- Superior HealthPlan State Advisory Committee
Boards
- Texas Rowing For All
- Better Medicare Alliance (national)
