FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Aug. 14, 2023)
Contact: John Langham, Bloom Communications
(816) 686-1071
NAMI Central Texas Announces New Executive Director
The NAMI Central Texas Board selected Javier Valdez as the organization’s Executive Director
AUSTIN, Texas [Aug. 14, 2023] – NAMI Central Texas, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), announced today the selection of Javier Valdez as its executive director. Valdez brings 23 years of combined experience in nonprofit strategic leadership as an executive director and board member for several local and national nonprofits.
“We are delighted to welcome Javier as the new Executive Director of NAMI Central Texas,” said Paul Trylko, a NAMI Central Texas Board member and Chair of the Executive Director Transition Committee. “His proven leadership, dedication, and innovative approach will undoubtedly help NAMI Central Texas continue to grow and continue making a positive and lasting impact on the lives of community members affected by mental illness.”
Valdez most recently served as the Executive Director of HealthStart Foundation before joining NAMI Central Texas. During his tenure, he helped increase organizational revenue by nearly 500% in two years and increased partnerships with community organizations and schools by 300%.
His past leadership experience, including at HealthStart Foundation, spans small business, nonprofit, for-profit corporations including Oracle and others in the technology space, and the membership-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation ERCOT. Valdez’s extensive experience successfully scaling organizations positions him uniquely to play a pivotal role in propelling NAMI Central Texas’ growth as the organization continues its efforts to expand its service in six Central Texas counties: Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Burnet, and Caldwell.
“I am deeply honored to join NAMI Central Texas and contribute to its mission of improving the lives of individuals and families impacted by mental illness,” Valdez said. “I want to thank the Board for this opportunity and the rest of the NAMI Central Texas staff for such a warm welcome. I am excited to lead this remarkable team, and as a native Spanish speaker, I am eager to continue building upon the momentum we have in ensuring that our large Spanish-speaking population and other underserved communities are supported by NAMI Central Texas’ work. Together, we will continue to foster connections with our community and support those impacted by mental illness through education, support, and advocacy programs.”
Valdez graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University with a degree in Computer Information Systems. Valdez is an alum of Leadership Austin’s Essential program and the Austin Area Research Organization’s (AARO) McBee Fellowship Program.
About NAMI Central Texas
NAMI Central Texas is the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the country’s largest grassroots organization dedicated to building better lives for millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Through its mental health education, support, and advocacy programs, NAMI Central Texas impacts the lives of individuals and families in Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Burnet, and Caldwell counties. For more information, visit NAMICentralTX.org.
