Rodney Young - President
It all begins with an idea. Rodney and Rhonda had this idea while speaking about friends. Rodney has been in a wheelchair since May 31, 2019 after a car wreck in which his back was broken. Since then, he has become involved with the disabled community. Rodney is a member of the Abilene Advisory Board for Persons with Disabilities. He is also a member of the Hendrick Patient and Family Advisory Council.
A friend he had made in that community was having serious problems finding wheelchair accessible housing to live in. And an idea was born.
Rodney has 34 years of experience in the building material sales business. For many of those years he did remodeling and home repair work also. So, he is knowledgeable about purchasing and availability of building materials.
He also was an insurance agent for 9 years. While working in his agency with Rhonda, he also was licensed with the Voluntary Inspection Program for the State of Texas.
At this time, Rodney is retired and will be devoting his time to volunteering with Accessible Home Rentals, Inc.
A friend he had made in that community was having serious problems finding wheelchair accessible housing to live in. And an idea was born.
Rodney has 34 years of experience in the building material sales business. For many of those years he did remodeling and home repair work also. So, he is knowledgeable about purchasing and availability of building materials.
He also was an insurance agent for 9 years. While working in his agency with Rhonda, he also was licensed with the Voluntary Inspection Program for the State of Texas.
At this time, Rodney is retired and will be devoting his time to volunteering with Accessible Home Rentals, Inc.
Rhonda Young - Secretary
After Rodney and Rhonda decided to make wheelchair accessible homes available to middle class renters in Abilene, Rhonda went to work.
Rhonda has been a Realtor in Abilene for over 11 years. She was with ReMax of Abilene for a number of years and is now with Coldwell-Bankers, APEX Realtors. Rhonda started researching the viability of renting accessible homes in Abilene. Along with research Rodney was doing, they started putting together a plan to make it happen.
Previous to this, Rhonda was the owner of Rhonda Young Allstate Insurance in Abilene for 12 years. Working with home inspections then, as well as now in real estate, has taught her much about the building industry.
At the present time, Rhonda is the President of the Abilene Woman’s Club. From this position, she has learned much about the running of a nonprofit organization.
Being self employed has it’s own challenges, which will help Rhonda with the running of Accessible Home Rentals, Inc.
Rhonda has been a Realtor in Abilene for over 11 years. She was with ReMax of Abilene for a number of years and is now with Coldwell-Bankers, APEX Realtors. Rhonda started researching the viability of renting accessible homes in Abilene. Along with research Rodney was doing, they started putting together a plan to make it happen.
Previous to this, Rhonda was the owner of Rhonda Young Allstate Insurance in Abilene for 12 years. Working with home inspections then, as well as now in real estate, has taught her much about the building industry.
At the present time, Rhonda is the President of the Abilene Woman’s Club. From this position, she has learned much about the running of a nonprofit organization.
Being self employed has it’s own challenges, which will help Rhonda with the running of Accessible Home Rentals, Inc.
Laura Browder - Treasurer
CPA since 1982, work experience in auditing, oil and gas, taxes, government agency and self-employment in general accounting and title research. Spent many years involved in local church and mentoring and fostering homeless and abused children.
Robert Parkhill
Robert (Bob) Parkhill, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Born and reared in Wichita Falls, TX
Honor Graduate of Wichita Falls High School
Attended Midwestern University & Eastern New Mexico University
Graduate: East Texas State University, B.S
Graduate: University of Texas, Arlington, M.S.S.W
Employment:
Texas Department of Family & Protective Services, CPS Worker and Supervisor
Federal Grant Reviewer, Department of Children and Youth
Infant Adoption Trainer, National Council for Adoption
Intake Assessment Coordinator, Rivercrest Hospital
Christian Homes of Abilene, Vice President of Social Services
Betty Hardwick Center
UltaCare Medical, contract psychotherapist
Married to Nikki Parkhill
Children: Bradley Parkhill, Frisco, TX
Matthew Parkhill, Glen Rose, TX
Hobbies: Tennis, Woodworking
Born and reared in Wichita Falls, TX
Honor Graduate of Wichita Falls High School
Attended Midwestern University & Eastern New Mexico University
Graduate: East Texas State University, B.S
Graduate: University of Texas, Arlington, M.S.S.W
Employment:
Texas Department of Family & Protective Services, CPS Worker and Supervisor
Federal Grant Reviewer, Department of Children and Youth
Infant Adoption Trainer, National Council for Adoption
Intake Assessment Coordinator, Rivercrest Hospital
Christian Homes of Abilene, Vice President of Social Services
Betty Hardwick Center
UltaCare Medical, contract psychotherapist
Married to Nikki Parkhill
Children: Bradley Parkhill, Frisco, TX
Matthew Parkhill, Glen Rose, TX
Hobbies: Tennis, Woodworking
Evan Willis
Evan Willis OT, MS, CSCS
Evan is an Occupational Therapist at West Texas Rehabilitation Center in the Adult Therapy department. He has been treating orthopedic hands and upper extremity and neurological disorders since 2021 helping patients restore their function prior to injury/surgery and teach patients ways to compensate their performance and/or adapt their environment to improve their overall independence with activities of daily living. He received his B.S. in Exercise Sports Science from Hardin-Simmons University in 2016, then worked as technician and fitness trainer in the pediatrics and adult therapy departments at West Texas Rehab where he got his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) in 2017. Evan went back to school to get his Masters in Science of Occupational Therapy from Abilene Christian University in 2021 with clinical experience with Inpatient Rehab and Early Childhood Intervention (ages 0-2). His career goals include becoming a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) and certified with a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) to assess and determine a worker’s ability to perform their physical requirements for employment. His personal interests include family - wife Kinzee, Jax (7), Leighton (5), and Gracyn (1.5), hunting, fishing, ranching, Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys, Texas Tech sports, traveling, grilling and yard games.
Evan is an Occupational Therapist at West Texas Rehabilitation Center in the Adult Therapy department. He has been treating orthopedic hands and upper extremity and neurological disorders since 2021 helping patients restore their function prior to injury/surgery and teach patients ways to compensate their performance and/or adapt their environment to improve their overall independence with activities of daily living. He received his B.S. in Exercise Sports Science from Hardin-Simmons University in 2016, then worked as technician and fitness trainer in the pediatrics and adult therapy departments at West Texas Rehab where he got his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) in 2017. Evan went back to school to get his Masters in Science of Occupational Therapy from Abilene Christian University in 2021 with clinical experience with Inpatient Rehab and Early Childhood Intervention (ages 0-2). His career goals include becoming a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) and certified with a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) to assess and determine a worker’s ability to perform their physical requirements for employment. His personal interests include family - wife Kinzee, Jax (7), Leighton (5), and Gracyn (1.5), hunting, fishing, ranching, Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys, Texas Tech sports, traveling, grilling and yard games.
Lillie Thomas
Lillie Thomas, EdD., MOT, OTR
Lillie is an assistant professor of occupational therapy at Abilene Christian University. Lillie began her educational journey at Abilene Christian University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree before studying occupational therapy at Texas Woman's University. After earning her Master of Occupational Therapy degree, she began her career at Baylor All-Saints in Fort Worth, Texas treating adults in acute and inpatient rehab. Family circumstances brought Lillie back to Abilene, where she worked as a pediatric occupational therapist at West Texas Rehabilitation Center. Over the next several years, Lillie was able to practice in a variety of settings treating individuals from birth through adulthood in schools, hospitals, NICU, skilled nursing facilities, and home health. Lillie has always had a passion for the effective, efficient, accessible, and safe living environment of her patients and clients. She considers herself a problem solver and innovator and uses her abilities to help improve the environments of those she serves. In 2017, Abilene Christian University contacted Lillie about an adjunct teaching position in their occupational therapy department. After three semesters, she accepted a full-time assistant professor position with the department training the next generation of occupational therapists. Lillie earned her Doctorate of Education from Abilene Christian University in 2022 and continues her 12+ years of clinical service at Hendrick Medical Center, working as a PRN therapist at Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation. Lillie is married to Mark, and together they have three girls, Karlie, Kamber, and Kaylee. Most extra time is spent taking the kids to and from activities or watching them compete in school events. If there is extra time, she loves games, watching football, being with family and friends, and traveling.
Lillie is an assistant professor of occupational therapy at Abilene Christian University. Lillie began her educational journey at Abilene Christian University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree before studying occupational therapy at Texas Woman's University. After earning her Master of Occupational Therapy degree, she began her career at Baylor All-Saints in Fort Worth, Texas treating adults in acute and inpatient rehab. Family circumstances brought Lillie back to Abilene, where she worked as a pediatric occupational therapist at West Texas Rehabilitation Center. Over the next several years, Lillie was able to practice in a variety of settings treating individuals from birth through adulthood in schools, hospitals, NICU, skilled nursing facilities, and home health. Lillie has always had a passion for the effective, efficient, accessible, and safe living environment of her patients and clients. She considers herself a problem solver and innovator and uses her abilities to help improve the environments of those she serves. In 2017, Abilene Christian University contacted Lillie about an adjunct teaching position in their occupational therapy department. After three semesters, she accepted a full-time assistant professor position with the department training the next generation of occupational therapists. Lillie earned her Doctorate of Education from Abilene Christian University in 2022 and continues her 12+ years of clinical service at Hendrick Medical Center, working as a PRN therapist at Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation. Lillie is married to Mark, and together they have three girls, Karlie, Kamber, and Kaylee. Most extra time is spent taking the kids to and from activities or watching them compete in school events. If there is extra time, she loves games, watching football, being with family and friends, and traveling.