Castle Appointed New Leader of Statewide MHMR Group

Austin Texas—The Texas Council of Community MHMR Centers announces the appointment of Danette Castle as their Executive Director effective today. Castle will be responsible for representing and advocating on behalf of the 39 regional Community MHMR Centers serving nearly 250000 Texans with disabilities each year.

Prior to joining the Texas Council Ms. Castle served as Chief Executive Officer of the Lubbock Regional MHMR Center where she provided 23 years of service.  Earlier in her career she worked for the Lubbock State School and a state school in Iowa.

“Danette brings a wealth of experience to the Texas Council.  She has the discipline focus and passion we were looking for as we searched for a new leader” said Hartley Sappington the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.

State Representative and Sunset Advisory Commission Chair Carl Isett (R- Lubbock) said “I am so pleased Danette Castle has been selected to lead the Texas Council during this important period of time.  I have worked closely with her for many years and know she cares deeply about strengthening the Community MHMR Center system in Texas and serving the needs of our shared constituents—the individuals and their families who depend on them everyday.” Isett added “I also know Danette will work cooperatively with my colleagues and me as we work to strengthen the MHMR community system in our state and make it a national model for the compassionate and effective delivery of these vital services.”

State Senator Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock) noted “Danette is leaving Lubbock to work in a larger arena but all communities across Texas will win in this deal.  I know we will continue to rely on her for understanding the impact of state policy on people in our communities.”

Jim McDermott Ph.D. CEO of MHMR of Tarrant County and Chair of the Executive Director’s Consortium said “The Community MHMR Centers are very pleased to see Danette move into this new role.  Her experience as a Center executive director will be invaluable as she provides vision and direction for our system’s future.”

 “The members of the Texas Council of Community MHMR Centers are on the frontline everyday working in collaboration with local government law enforcement schools and other local entities” according to Castle.

“I look forward to working closely with Texas policy-makers Texas Council members and others to assure the continued development and improvement of our unique Community MHMR Center system” Castle concluded.