Governor Greg Abbott has announced the recipients of the 2025 Lex Frieden Employment Awards, which recognize businesses and individuals in Texas for their efforts to hire and support people with disabilities.
“In life, we are not defined by the challenges that we face but by how we respond to those challenges,” said Governor Abbott. “When a life-changing accident over 40 years ago left me paralyzed, I made the decision to not let my life be defined by the enormous challenge that I faced. Texas businesses do just that by empowering their employees, co-workers, and fellow Texans with disabilities. I applaud those who encourage independence, productivity, and self-determination and congratulate the winners of this year’s Lex Frieden Employment Awards for their work to hire and support Texans with disabilities. Working together, we will create a brighter, more inclusive future for all Texans in our great state.”
The awards are given through a partnership between the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities and the Texas Workforce Commission. Winners will be honored at an event scheduled for October 2, 2025 at Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio. The event is open to the public, with tickets available online at https://bit.ly/TXHireAbility2025.
This year’s HireAbility Forum will include presentations from disability advocates, industry leaders, and Americans with Disabilities Act experts who will discuss strategies for integrating employees with disabilities into workplaces. Attendees can earn continuing education credits from the Society for Human Resource Management.
The winners of the 2025 Lex Frieden Employment Awards include Mermaid Café in San Antonio (Small Employer), DHL-Nike in Hutchins (Medium Employer), City of Brownsville (Large Employer), West Texas Counseling and Guidance in San Angelo (Nonprofit Employer), Kristen McNabb Pattison of Fort Sam Houston (Entrepreneur), Pharr Police Department – Mental Health Unit in Pharr (Martha Arbuckle Award), and Judy Telge of Corpus Christi (Governor’s Trophy).
In addition to these awards, Chairman’s Commendations were given to Texas Veterans Commission, Rusty Bourland of Austin, and Cord Shiflet of Austin.
This announcement coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness Month’s 80th anniversary—a campaign dedicated to recognizing contributions from workers with disabilities and promoting inclusive employment practices nationwide.
The Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities continues its mission to help ensure that people with disabilities have opportunities for full participation in society by recommending policy changes, supporting local committees across Texas, issuing awareness awards like these honors, and encouraging compliance with laws related to disability rights.
