Who We Are

History

In August, 1970, a “Town Hall” meeting of parents and persons interested in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities was held in the Community room of Northeast National Bank in Birdville, TX.  From this meeting emerged the Birdville Arc.  Chartered and incorporated in May, 1971, the organization is affiliated with The Arc of Texas and The Arc of the United States.

Since its founding, the Birdville Arc has been expanding its influence across the DFW Metroplex, becoming The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County in 1995, then Arc Greater Mid Cities in 2016, and The Arc of DFW Area in 2019.  Throughout all these changes we have remained true to our grass-roots advocacy heritage, and we are still an all-volunteer membership-driven agency.

Officers

• 

  Ellen Bauman President

  Ellen Bauman of Joshua is a grassroots advocate for people with disabilities and their families. Her journey has evolved out of personal experience while navigating life in search of resources for her granddaughter. Her passion is to inform, educate and empower not only these individuals and their families, but those who are in places of authority, responsible for protecting their rights and providing for their needs. She strives to secure the best quality of life possible for every individual. Her goal is that all people are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

  Ellen is the Special Needs Ministry Liaison for First United Methodist Church in Arlington and is a Certified Christian Educator. She serves on the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, Texas Council on Consumer Direction and Health and Human Services Commission IDD Strategic Planning Group. She serves as Vice Chairperson of Texas Parent 2 Parent Board of Directors, and  the Department of Aging and Disabilities of North Central Texas Advisory Committee member. She attended Texas Wesleyan University and Tarrant County College.

• 

  Allana Banks Vice President

  Allana resides in Haslet TX. She moved to Texas from St. Louis, Mo in 2014. She is a graduate from Maryville University, St. Louis, MO – Bachelor of Science, E-Marketing, Magna Cum Laude and Lindenwood University, St. Charles, MO – Masters in Nonprofit Administration. Allana currently is a Lead Marketing Manager for AT&T in Dallas, TX. Although her career is in Marketing, she is passionate about helping families and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Allana has two children (Ariana and TJ) and a fur baby named Cocoa. She enjoys traveling and listening to live music and spending time as a family. She is honored to serve her community by supporting individuals to live their best lives.

• Jocalyn Briggs Secretary

  Jocalyn lives in Mansfield, Tx. She is a proud mother of two. Her son is a sophomore at UNT, and her daughter is in 7th grade in Mansfield ISD. Jocalyn graduated from Baylor University with a major in education and a minor in English. She is a certified teacher for grades K-8 and a certified teacher of students with visual impairments (CTVI) for ages birth to 22. She taught in Texas for a total of 6 years. She currently manages territory sales and creates and implements sales and product trainings for Tempur-Sealy International, where she has worked for 13 years. She is also a 2020 graduate of Texas Partners in Policymaking. Jocalyn has passionately advocated for school inclusion and home and community-based supports for people with disabilities at both the local and state levels for the past 10 years. She is very grateful to the Arc for the networking opportunities and resources they’ve provided her family which she believes helped set the trajectory for her daughter very early on. In her spare time, Jocalyn enjoys reading, golfing and swimming with her family, playing with her dogs, and binging Netflix shows with her husband.

• 

  James Lunday Treasurer

  Currently serving as Treasurer for The Arc, James Lunday has worked in the accounting field for 20 years; the past 10 as Controller for Tenaska Power Services Co. in Irving. James, his wife of 12 years Michelle and their 8-year-old son Luke live in Trophy Club. Luke has an intellectual disability and cortical visual impairment (CVI). James holds a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Missouri Southern State University and an MBA from Texas Christian University.

Directors

• Beverly Black

  Beverly Black joined The Arc of DFW Area board of directors in 2018. She and her husband, Wayne, have been married for over 40 years and both live life with a disability. Beverly is also a retired worker and an active advocate for people with disabilities. She is a member of United Advocates and The SelfDetermination Group. She has served as President, Sergeant of Arms and Treasurer. Beverly can often be seen walking the halls at the Texas Capital speaking up for herself and those who don’t have a voice.

• Julia Chalker

  Julia is the Transition Coordinator of an area school district, Board president of REACH Resource Centers on Independent Living, an experienced speaker on transition- and sibling-related topics, and most importantly, the sister of a brother with autism, Bobby. Julia is passionate about preparing individuals of all ages, as well as their families, for the transition from school-aged entitlement services to the eligibility system that is in effect after graduation. She is especially interested in helping to change the absolutely despicable state of services for individuals with disabilities in the State of Texas, including funding of Medicaid waiver program slots and increasing pay for attendant care services.

• Marie Cooney

  Marie Cooney joined The Arc of DFW Area board of directors in 2018 and is the mother of 6 children, 2 that she adopted when they were very young. She has 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. One of her grandchildren lives life with a disability which leads Marie to try and help others. Her desire to help others began when she was young. Marie has always gone out of her way to make others comfortable. She worked in the aircraft industry for over 30 years and during that time Marie was selected by her union to serve others at Lockheed Martin representing the International Association of Machinists on the Contribution Club which later became the AERO Club.

  As a member of the executive board for 14 years, Marie served both employees and the community before retiring in 2010. She also served on the Crisis Relief and Area on Aging with United Way for 8 years. After meeting Beverly Black in 1981 they formed a bond that eventually led to her working in the disability field. Marie joined The Arc of DFW Area board of directors and strives to help others understand the need of people with disabilities to live the life they imagine.

Interested in Serving on Our Board?

We can always use your help. The Board officially meets 10 times per year.

• Board Requirements
• Board Nomination Form
• Conflict of Interest Policy
• Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form

Complete Board Nomination Form and submit by August 1st.