Aging Texas Well Advisory Committee

Texas Gov. Rick Perry issued an executive order in April 2005 creating the Aging Texas Well Advisory Committee. The order formalizes the ATW initiative and charges the department to continue its work identifying and discussing aging policy issues, guiding state government readiness, and promoting increased community preparedness for Texas’ older adult population.

Under the executive order, the advisory committee shall advise the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and make recommendations to state leadership on implementation of the ATW initiative. A comprehensive, strategic, master plan is developed by HHSC to carry out the orders mandates and guide aging policies and priorities.

HHSC also leads a planning effort to ensure the readiness of all Texas state agencies to serve an aging population by identifying issues, current initiatives, and future needs.

Members

Tammy Mermelstein, Chair 
Representing: Providers of Community Services 
Region 6, Houston

Quincy Dunlap 
Representing: Aging Services Delivery Network 
Region 7, Austin

Mallory Freitag Hejja 
Representing: Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Region 6, Houston

Anna Gray 
Representing: Providers of Community Services
Region 6, Houston

Demetress Harrell 
Representing: Caregivers of older adults 50+ (nonprofessional or family caregivers)
Region 5, Lufkin

Patrick Jackson 
Representing: Providers of Community Services 
Region 3, Garland

Larry Johnson 
Representing: Advocates of People over 50 
Region 8, San Antonio

Shakita Johnson 
Representing: Area Agencies on Aging 
Region 3, Fort Worth

Gladys Maestre 
Representing: Academic Community
Region 11, Rancho Viejo

Angela Medina – Ex Officio 
Representing: Department of Family and Protective Services 
Region 7, Austin

Crystal Stark – Ex Officio 
Representing: Texas Workforce Commission 
Region 7, Austin

Lynda Taylor - Ex Officio 
Representing: Department of State Health Services 
Region 7, Austin

Resources

Meeting Dates

Unless otherwise announced, meetings will be held in the John H. Winters building, Public Hearing Room, at 701 West 51st Street, Austin, Texas.

  • February 8, 2023 (9 a.m.)
  • May 3, 2023 (9 a.m.)
  • August 2, 2023 (9 a.m.)
  • November 1, 2023 (9 a.m.)

For More Information

Contact Olivia Burns at olivia.burns02@hhs.texas.gov.