New Regional Director Joins North Texas Team
ALS Association North Texas team (left to right): Taylor Brewer, Care Services Coordinator; Christina Flinn, Special Events Coordinator; Janette Steinheimer, Care Services Manager; Catherine Nodurft, Regional Director; Sharon D’Souza, Operations Manager; Elise Bernard, Communications Manager
Since it’s official formation in early 2012, The ALS Association of Texas has seen an exponential increase in the number of Texans with ALS that it is assisting. Along with that growth came the increasing challenge of ensuring that the chapter was best positioned and resourced to provide people in every corner of the state access to ALS clinics, support groups, loaned medical equipment and other resources to live with ALS.
To that end, last year the chapter began developing a staffing structure that went beyond the traditional department-focused organizational chart to something that would provide for on-the-ground leadership in each of its three regions serving ALS patients and their families within Texas.
“We’ve always had amazing department-specific staff in each of our regions,” says Tanner Hockensmith, Executive Director for the Texas Chapter. “What we were lacking was organizational leadership in each of those regions who could take a holistic view of the regional operation and ensure that everyone within a region—program, fundraising and operational staff—were working in concert to best serve patients, fundraise effectively and operate as efficiently as possible,” adds Hockensmith. “I’m excited to announce the most recent step in that direction: the addition of a Regional Director for our North Texas, Greater Houston and Southwest regions.”
This new shift in organizational leadership will help ensure that people with ALS remain the focus of everything we do at The ALS Association. The Regional Director will drive the impact of our mission across his or her respective region and maximize our ability to improve the lives of people with ALS.
Catherine Karam Nodurft, North Texas Regional Director
Cathine Karam Nodurft joined the North Texas Regional Team in April as its Regional Director, bringing a deep and diverse background in both for-profit and non-profit organizations. In addition to her role as Regional Director for the North Texas Region, she will also serve as its lead for all fundraising activities and initiatives.
“I have had the opportunity to watch The ALS Association of Texas grow over the past several years, serving patients across the state with passion and an innovative spirit,” Nodurft said. “I am thrilled to be joining a talented and dedicated team as we work together to provide local care services, advocate for public policy, and invest in research to ultimately create a world without ALS.”
Feel free to send your own personal welcome to Catherine at catherine@alstexas.org with any ideas you’d like to discuss regarding The ALS Association’s work in North Texas.
And look for news and information about the other regional teams across the state in the coming months.
