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Jackson County, Texas Fellows

Photo of Daniel Barrientos
Daniel Barrientos
Chief Executive Officer, Texas
Billy T. Cattan Recovery Outreach

Daniel Barrientos is the chief executive officer of Billy T. Cattan Recovery Outreach. He develops and implements organizational strategies and ensures that the overall goals of the organization are implemented. He has more than 27 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, specifically in the areas of substance use prevention and substance use disorder treatment. Mr. Barrientos graduated from the University of Houston–Victoria in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He is a licensed DWI Intervention Program Instructor and a Certified Prevention Specialist. Mr. Barrientos believes in advocating for change and empowering others to make changes that foster their personal growth.

Photo of Rick Boone
Rick Boone
Chief of Police, Texas
City of Edna

Rick Boone is the chief of police in Edna, Texas. He has worked in law enforcement for 30 years, 27 of which were spent at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the last 3 spent as chief of police. Chief Boone is dedicated to lowering the crime rate and drug use in his jurisdiction by providing programs to educate the youth about the dangers and long-term effects of substance use. He also enjoys volunteering for many different organizations throughout the county and enjoys building relationships within his community.

Photo of Bethany Castro
Bethany Castro
Executive Director, Texas
United Way of the Crossroads

Bethany Castro is the executive director of the United Way of the Crossroads (UWC) in Victoria, Texas. UWC seeks to facilitate collaboration among nonprofits, the community, governmental entities, and the people they serve. Ms. Castro worked as a public school educator for 8 years after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin. She earned a master of public administration degree from Texas A&M in 2018 and spent 3 years running a transitional home for women. Because of these experiences, Ms. Castro deeply believes in each person’s ability to reach their full potential given the right tools and support system.

Photo of Tammy Gendke
Tammy Gendke
Board Member, Precinct 3, Texas
Jackson County Hospital District

Tammy Gendke serves as a board director of the Jackson County Hospital District and represents Precinct 3 of Jackson County, Texas. Professionally, she has spent 20 years in the public education arena as a school psychologist. She is very active in her community.

Photo of Elma Saenz
Elma Saenz
Chief Operating Officer, Texas
Billy T. Cattan Recovery Outreach

Elma Saenz provides oversight to the everyday operations of the Billy T. Cattan Recovery Outreach Center. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. Ms. Saenz has 26 years of experience in social work and 12 years’ experience in substance use services, include working in prevention, intervention, and treatment services. She is dedicated to delivering excellence in client care and hopes to instill life-changing recovery skills in all clients. Ms. Saenz earned a master’s degree in social work from Texas State University and a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Austin.

Photo of Jill S. Sklar
Jill S. Sklar
County Judge, Texas
County of Jackson

Jill S. Sklar began her first term as Jackson County Judge in January 2019. Prior to being elected judge, she spent 11 years as an assistant attorney general for the Office of Attorney General of Texas. She has an agricultural degree from Texas A&M University and earned her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. Judge Sklar is currently serving as past president of the South Texas Judges and Commissioners Association and serves on the Texas Association of Counties County Information Resources Agency Board.