Photo — Chereeia Brown, left, and Ashley Gallardo were among the Cenpatico contingent that was honored during the 2010 Texas Association of Business Annual Conference, where Cenpatico was named one of the “Best Companies to Work for in Texas” on Jan. 28 at the AT&T Conference Center.

AUSTIN, Texas – Alongside Chief Executive Officer and President Sam Donaldson, PhD, and the Cenpatico Senior Management Team, IPR Coordinator Chereeia Brown and Consumer Advocate Ashley Gallardo were selected to represent Cenpatico during the Best Companies to Work for in Texas Award Ceremony at the 2010 Texas Association of Business Annual Conference on Jan. 28 at the AT&T Conference Center.

Brown and Gallardo were selected to join the Senior Management Team at the ceremony by virtue of their essays in the “What Makes Cenpatico a Best Company to Work for in Texas?” competition held throughout Cenpatico’s Texas offices in January.

“These two entries were insightful and moving, and really drive home our mission that, ‘Together We Inspire Hope for a Better Life,’” Donaldson said.

See below for Brown’s and Gallardo’s takes on what makes Cenpatico one of the best medium-sized companies to work for in Texas:
“Some consider one of society’s hidden shames is that of living with/admitting to having a loved one with a mental illness. Unless you have personally experienced it, you can never imagine the pain, fear, worry, or the sense of hopelessness that becomes a daily part of the lives of all who love that individual. I feel that the services Cenpatico provides to the community aids in giving our members a better quality of life and a vital mainstay to the human spirit …hope! I feel our mission also helps to dissolve the stigma behind any and all behavioral issues, thus making Cenpatico one of the best companies in to work for in Texas.

“I like that we make a real difference in the lives of so many and that we promote our mission through our involvement in activities such as the NAMI walk. I was so proud call my friends out-of-state and tell them I was a part of that. Working here couples my passion and love of helping people with a sense of contributing in a positive way towards life-changing personal and community concerns/issues, making Cenpatico deserving of being honored as one of the best places to work in Texas!”

– Chereeia Brown, IPR Coordinator

“I am a foster care alumnus in college. I never thought I would get a job at such a young age that would be geared at helping the foster care population. I joined a company that has a passion for making a difference in the lives of my brothers and sisters of the foster care system here in Texas. A company that looks at both sides and how we can help youth and help our company, we both share a passion and determination on this subject.

“I have seen other companies be very reluctant to hire foster youth who have aged out of the system, hoping to make a change. This company and my team all want me to use my experience and voice what we can all do to make this system better for our youth in care. Having a supportive team back you up, when you’re not sure if you should voice your opinion, is amazing. I have never had that, but I see it happen here all the time.

“I enjoy being part of this team, and, as we move on into the New Year, we continue to strive towards our goal of helping youth in the Texas Foster Care System. This is why I believe Cenpatico is the best company to work for.”

– Ashley Gallardo, Consumer Advocate

Cenpatico, one of the 85 best companies to work for in Texas as announced by Texas Monthly, ranked as the No. 24 medium-sized company to work for in Texas. The Medium-sized category includes companies that have between 75 and 249 employees. For-profit and nonprofit companies with at least 15 employees in Texas that chose to participate in a two-part survey, which included an organizational overview of the company’s policies and procedures and an in-depth employee questionnaire, were eligible for consideration by Best Companies Group, an independent organization managing the “Best Places to Work” program throughout many states and Canada.

The 85 Best Companies to Work for in Texas is a project of the Texas Association of Business, the Texas State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management, and Best Companies Group.

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