
Meriel Bowman
Zachry Group
Chair
- What inspires you to volunteer?
- The knowledge that there are families and children who are not as fortunate as our own. We are blessed to have the resources and support system we need to help Townsend grow into his full potential. Every child should be provided the same opportunity.
- Create a hashtag to describe Brighton
- #LightInTheStorm #CelebratingTheSpeciallyAbled
- Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you:
- I enjoy and miss skydiving (since I no longer do it post Townsend).
- Brighton Center is...
- exactly what our family needs to support Townsend and better than we could have imagined.

Blake Stribling
Chasnoff | Stribling, LLP
Board Vice Chair
- What inspires you to volunteer?
- I'm inspired by and privileged to have the opportunity to support work proven to enable children of all abilities to share their God-given gifts and talents with the world and to empower parents to help their children achieve their potential and dreams. I can't imagine anything more rewarding than being part of that. I am also inspired by the tireless efforts and commitment of the Brighton Center's exceptional Leadership Team and staff.
- Create a hashtag to describe Brighton
- #brightertomorrows
- Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you.
- This is the first time I've ever used a hashtag. And I've had two basset hounds named Bill.
- Finish this sentence - Brighton is...
- exactly what children with disabilities or delays and their families need and deserve.

Lindsay Bolner
Community Volunteer
Secretary
- What inspires you to volunteer?
- Giving back is something that I feel passionately about. Brighton does such great work, I feel honored to be a part of it. The ability to help change someones life is such a blessing.
- Create a hashtag to describe Brighton:
- #BrightonSomeonesDay
- Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you:
- I'd rather be outdoors than in. I love running, playing tennis, shooting skeet, building sandcastles with my kids...pretty much anything that keeps me outside and active!
- Brighton Center is...
- Redefining educational services

Justin Thompson
Valero
Treasurer
- What inspires you to volunteer?
- The success of Brighton kids and the highly qualified Brighton Leadership team and staff.
- Create a hashtag to describe Brighton:
- #WhereDreamsBecomeReality
- Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you:
- I created a successful scholarship fund for and managed by St. Mary’s University from scratch which has raised over $55,000 in 5 years.
- Brighton Center is...
- INSPIRATION

Lynette Padalecki
H-E-B
Past Chair
- What inspires you to volunteer?
- All Children are gifts from God. As parents, we want the best for our Children. Brighton does just that - It provides the best for special children and their families. I am privileged to be a part of helping Brighton help others.
- Create a hashtag to describe Brighton:
- #EveryChildMatters
- Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you:
- I am an avid sports fan – Love Football!!!
- Brighton Center is...
- An amazing group of talented Professionals dedicated to making a positive difference in children’s lives.

Steve Lyons
Skanska
- What inspires you to volunteer?
- I have a passion for helping kids and I happen to have a close family member with a child that has a “disability”. As a parent myself, I know what a ton of work parenting is, however that pales in comparison to what it takes to support a child with special needs. EVERY parent wants to help their kids achieve their dreams, I volunteer to help the Brighton Families make the dreams that they have for their kids achievable!
- Create a hashtag to describe Brighton:
- #ittakesavillage
- Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you:
- I have visited 13 of the current Major League Baseball stadiums and an additional 6 stadiums that are no longer in use. Fenway Park is my favorite stadium that I have visited.
- Brighton Center is…
- Here to help families in need!

LeAnn Trejo
Capital Group
- What inspires you to volunteer?
- I love giving back to the community. Volunteering with Brighton allows me to direct my passion around childhood education with a program that’s inclusive of all children. I have seen first-hand what some amazing teachers and providers do with early and consistent intervention for children with all abilities. It’s awe-inspiring!
- Create a hashtag to describe Brighton
- #WhereAllKidsShineBRIGHT
- Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you:
- I love a personal cake decorating challenge! While I don’t bake very much anymore, a few special days out of the year my creative juices get going and I enjoy a fun Pinterest challenge!
- Brighton Center is...
- Beacon of light and hope for all kids! (Parents included)

Mario Garcia
UPS
- What inspires you to volunteer?
- I have been blessed with the good fortune of being raised and married into a family where looking after others is a part of life. Giving back in order for the kids of the future to move forward is rewarding. I love seeing the excitement & joy when accomplishments are achieved.
- Create a hashtag to describe Brighton:
- #Brightonkidsfuture
- Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you:
- I lived in Germany for 9 years.
- Brighton Center is…
- An extension of family that provides resources, passion, and love that enables all kids to reach their full potential.

April Ancira
Ancira Auto Group
- What inspires you to volunteer?
- "Getting people what they need," is what I love to do. I try to relay the feeling to others by explaining it like this. Volunteering and Donations are like Christmas morning. You got up at 3am to wait in line at a store for 4 hours to get the most coveted toy of the year and on Christmas you cannot wait for your kids to open it. Once they tear through the wrapping and they see the gift they have received they are OVERJOYED and jump into your arms with a HUG. I may not always receive an actual HUG for Volunteering, but it sure feels like I do every time.
- Create a hashtag to describe Brighton:
- #BeYourOwnKindofExcellent
- Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you:
- I am a Closet Hermit and antisocial yet my job requires me to be incredibly social. I have a huge fear of forgetting faces and names and having conversations that may greatly bore someone else. So its not unusual to find me at a GALA in a corner texting a family member until someone far better at social events than I comes up and begins a conversation.
- Brighton Center is...
- the arms wrapped around every family that has ever needed support of any kind.

Ramon Hernandez
- What inspires you to volunteer?
- In my lifetime, I have been given so much and I have been blessed by access and guidance to opportunities that have shaped who I am today. Now it is time for me to pay it forward through guiding and creating opportunities for others..
- Create a hashtag to describe Brighton:
- #Stability #Opportunity #Innovation
- Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you:
- My first job was a roustabout in the oil rigs in West, TX.
- Brighton Center is...
- consistently looking for new ways to improve the lives of children!

Elizabeth Marceau
- What inspires you to volunteer?
- My desire to volunteer come from a deep sense of gratitude for the many people that have poured into my life. I want to share that energy by giving back to the San Antonio community I love, and I believe there is no better investment than the next generation. Brighton Center is passionate about providing quality education to ALL children- and that is an easy mission to get behind!
- Create a hashtag to describe Brighton:
- #shineBRIGHTatBrighton #BRIGHT beginnings
- Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you:
- Not only do I not drink coffee, I don’t drink any caffeine at all.
- Brighton Center is…
- enriching and empowering the lives of ALL children.

Maria Garcia
CPS Energy
- What inspires you to volunteer?
- CPS Energy team members practice our philosophy of People First! In that spirit, I like to help others and leave everything better than how I found that object, team, task, activity, etc. I love to help make a difference!
- Create a hashtag to describe Brighton;
- #PeopleFirst!
- Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you:
- I’m the proud mom of a special needs young adult. I am blessed to experience the world through his eyes, and it makes life very humbling.
- Brighton Center is...
- A unique, colorful and very loving space where everyone is welcomed, and where our hearts are warmed beyond belief!

Donna Vaughan
- What inspires you to volunteer?
- During this time in my life, I have the time and opportunity to give back to those organizations that are trying to make the world a better place for others. At Brighton, I am honored to be a part of their mission that offers resources, support and education to help children and families reach their potential in life and learning.
- Create a hashtag to describe Brighton:
- #PassionatePotentialforALL
- Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you:
- I used to be shy. My times, I force myself to introduce myself. I have found taht everyone wants to belong and be noticed. Sometimes, you just need to be the person to start the conversation.
- Brighton Center is...
- passionate in their mission to provide the resources and services to parents and children in order to help them live their best life ever.

Mark Biegler
Ernst & Young
- What inspires you to volunteer?
- To help support a great cause and staff dedicated to give back to the community. As a parent, I recognize the importance of child development and how meaningful it can be to lend a helping hand to families in need of support.
- Create a hashtag to describe Brighton:
- #LevelingThePlayingField
- Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you:
- I love music… and also have a great voice but my wife and kids never want to hear my singing.
- Brighton Center is...
- an enterprise sharing a common passion to help children and families in need.

Molly Kingore Johnson
- What inspires you to volunteer?
- My mother began my lifelong journey to help others. She was very philanthropic in our small community and I was exposed to many organizations in need as a small child. It inspired me to give your talents where you can and when you can to better improve your community as a whole. Everyone has something to contribute!
- Create a hashtag to describe Brighton:
- #BrightonsBrightFuture
- Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you:
- I am an ordained minister(online) and presided over my best friends wedding.
- Brighton Center is...
- Brighton Center is a refuge for families and students during a transitional and confusing part of their education journeys.

Danielle Reyes
Goodwin Procter LLP
- What inspires you to volunteer?
- I volunteer because relatively small efforts on my part can be life-changing for others.
- Create a hashtag to describe Brighton.
- #Essential!
- Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you.
- I graduated from a performing arts school (cello).
- Brighton Center is...
- Brighton Center is the key to future success for many delayed and typically-developing children in San Antonio.

Chad Smith
Avisto Capital Partners
- What inspires you to volunteer?
- My mother instilled in me a mindset of giving. Everyone experiences hardship in life. Finding our way through hard times requires strength and courage but also support from friends, family and our respective communities. I believe everyone can and should take the opportunity to lift up those around us that need help.
- Create a hashtag to describe Brighton:
- #BrightonTheFuture
- Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you:
- I'm uber competitive. Running, triathlon, golf, skiing, scrabble, basketball, you name it. I really don't like to lose!
- Brighton Center is...
- An incredible resource for families.

Neena Singh
NuStar Energy
- What inspires you to volunteer?
- I fundamentally believe that each child can reach his full potential and become a fulfilled and productive adult able to contribute to the world if he is provided with the right environment. Brighton provides these children with the right environment.
- Create a hashtag to describe Brighton:
- #WeOnlySeeAbilities
- Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you:
- I secretly aspired to be a Bollywood dancer. At the age of 10, I started teaching myself by watching VHS tapes of Bollywood dances and this continued through my 20s. Maybe I will get back to it when my kids are older.
- Brighton Center is...
- hope.