Texas – Governor Greg Abbott announced the 2025 recipients of the Lex Frieden Employment Awards (LFEA), which recognize businesses and organizations across Texas for their commitment to hiring and supporting individuals with disabilities.
“In life, we are not defined by the challenges that we face but by how we respond to those challenges,” Abbott said. “When a life-changing accident over 40 years ago left me paralyzed, I made the decision to not let my life be defined by the enormous challenge that I faced.
Texas businesses do just that by empowering their employees, co-workers, and fellow Texans with disabilities. I applaud those who encourage independence, productivity, and self-determination and congratulate the winners of this year’s Lex Frieden Employment Awards for their work to hire and support Texans with disabilities. Working together, we will create a brighter, more inclusive future for all Texans in our great state.”
The Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, in partnership with the Texas Workforce Commission, will honor this year’s winners at the Lex Frieden Employment Awards – HireAbility Employer Forum at Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio on October 2, 2025. The event will feature presentations from disability advocates, industry leaders, and Americans with Disabilities Act experts, highlighting innovative approaches to integrating employees with disabilities into the workplace. Attendees will also have the opportunity to earn Society for Human Resource Management Continuing Education Units.
The 2025 Lex Frieden Employment Award winners are:
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Small Employer: Mermaid Café, San Antonio
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Medium Employer: DHL-Nike, Hutchins
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Large Employer: City of Brownsville
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Nonprofit Employer: West Texas Counseling and Guidance, San Angelo
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Entrepreneur: Kristen McNabb Pattison, Fort Sam Houston
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Martha Arbuckle Award: Pharr Police Department – Mental Health Unit, Pharr
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Governor’s Trophy: Judy Telge, Corpus Christi
Tickets for the HireAbility Employer Forum are available at bit.ly/TXHireAbility2025.
The public is encouraged to attend the event, which serves as an annual celebration of successful employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
