About Us

Lisa Anguiano has a Bachelor's degree in Family and Child Development from Southwest Texas State University.  She is currently pursuing her Master's degree and certification in Special Education from Texas State University.  Ms. Anguiano has 15 years of experience working with children and program management. Ms. Anguiano has experience as an Early Intervention Specialist in their Early Childhood Intervention program for four years.  Ms. Anguiano has been the Program Director at Sammy's House since July 2006.

"I used to see a child at Sammy's House for Developmental Service when he was an infant and throughout Early Childhood Intervention. I would save him for Friday so I could end the week on a happy note at Sammy's House.  There was a sense of community and support for parents and their children with special needs.  Becoming the Program Director at Sammy's House gave me the opportunity to pursue my educational goal to eventually become an occupational therapist."

Sharee Beck is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin.  She has one and a half years of experience working with children and volunteered at Sammy's House from September 2007 to April 2008.  Ms. Beck started working at Sammy's House in April 2008 and will be working with children in the summer camp program.

"Volunteering and working at Sammy's House has helped me narrow down what I want to do with my social work degree.  I am interested in working with children with special needs and their families as a social worker."

Autumn DeHoyos has 9 years experience working with children who are medically fragile and developmentally delayed.  She specializes in the care of children with multiple disabilities. Ms. DeHoyos has received extensive training in infant and toddler care.

"I was first exposed to the beauty of special children when my younger brother was born medically fragile and developmentally delayed.  Although it was a very difficult experience in my life the gifts and lessons my brother gave me, I am able to share with the many children I care for at Sammy’s House."

Demetria Oliver is a certified Medical Assistant and has eight years of experience working with children.  Ms. Oliver started working at Sammy's House in December 2007.

"I love the kids and the staff – it feels like a big family at Sammy's House and I love being a part of it."

Elizabeth Rosales is currently taking classes at Austin Community College and is pursuing a degree to bercome a physical therapist assistant. She has seven years of experience working with children. Ms. Rosales started working at Sammy's House in January 2008.

"I really like working at Sammy's House because it has given me a lot of insight about what I will do as a physical therapist assistant. I wasn't sure if I wanted to work with kids long-term, but working at Sammy's House has helped me realize that I want to specialize in working with children."

Managing Partner, Ascendant Engineering Solutions
Parent of a Special Needs Child

After graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M Universtiy, Marc held engineering and engineering management positions at several companies, including Texas Instruments, Tektronix, Eastman Kodak, and local Austin startup Applied Science Fiction.  He is now a managing partner at Ascendant Engineering Solutions, an Austin design firm.  Marc, and wife Wanda, were introduced to Sammy's House in 2003, when searching for qualified caregivers for their 6-month-old daughter Kelly who was then recovering from surgery to repair multiple congenital heart defects.  Although Kelly has since 'graduated' from Sammy's House, Marc and Wanda remain active supporters in various capacities on the Board of Directors and the Advisory Committee.

Owner, Primrose Schools

Michael and Kathy are longtime Austin residents who own and operate two private preschools here, the Primrose Schools of Bee Cave and Four Points. They discovered Sammy's House through a friend's recommendation as they searched for a local children's charity that could really benefit from Primrose annual fundraising efforts. It has been a mutually beneficial relationship as they have been able to offer their many years of experience in childcare and early childhood education in return for the opportunity to learn about the very special challenges of caring for and educating children with special needs.

Owner, Primrose Schools

Michael and Kathy are longtime Austin residents who own and operate two private preschools here, the Primrose Schools of Bee Cave and Four Points. They discovered Sammy's House through a friend's recommendation as they searched for a local children's charity that could really benefit from Primrose annual fundraising efforts. It has been a mutually beneficial relationship as they have been able to offer their many years of experience in childcare and early childhood education in return for the opportunity to learn about the very special challenges of caring for and educating children with special needs.

Leasing Agent, Live Oak-Gottesman

After moving to Austin from Houston in 1995 to attend the University of Texas and obtaining a BBA in Finance, Scott worked for Austin businessman Lowell Lebermann where he was fortunate to meet and forge relationships with many of Austin's business and philanthropic leaders.  Among them was real estate developer Sandy Gottesman for whom he has worked since 2000.  Scott is married to wife Kate who is a pediatric nurse practitioner.  They have a 6 month old daughter Brynn Harper Flack.

Parent of a Preschool/Kinder
Attorney

It’s often said former journalists make the best public relations professionals, and Mary Alice Kaspar took that notion to heart before founding her consulting firm, Columbus Communications. From May 2000 to April 2006, she was a reporter with the Austin Business Journal, where garnered first place awards for news and feature writing from the Texas Press Association, in 2002 and 2003 respectively. She was also named "Best Print Reporter" in Austin by the local chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in 2003. Mary Alice's husband, Travis Kaspar, is a software engineer, and they have a daughter that attends Sammy's House.

Senior Technical Director, AT&T
Parent of a Special Needs Child

Diane Kearns was raised in Austin, graduating from Westwood High School and Concordia Lutheran University.  She spent nine years in New York City working at the ABC Television Network, and then moved to the fast-paced world of Internet start-ups in both New York City and the San Francisco Bay area.  Diane returned to Austin in 2001 with her husband Don, and currently works in the IT department of AT&T.  They have 3 children, twins Dean & Vivian, and Beck.  Dean has cerebral palsy and is visually impaired.  Through his disability, Diane was introduced to Sammy's House, and has been a volunteer since 2004.

Partner, Ascendant Engineering Solutions
Parent of a Special Needs Child

Bill has an engineering degree and is a partner in Ascendant Engineering Solutions, a Sammy’s House supporter. Bill has lived in Texas for over 25 years and held positions with Texas Instruments, Raytheon, Eastman Kodak and other firms. Bill and his wife Mary have lived in Liberty Hill for the past 10 years and have two children, Marissa and Bryan. Bill became involved in Sammy’s House after hearing about the organization through friends. He has been on the board since 2004 and has held several positions including chairman.

Physical Therapist

Parents of a Special Needs Child

Trimbuilt Construction

Scott Trimm is the president of Trimbuilt Construction which is celebrating their 25th year in business this year. He has been married to his high school sweetheart for 31 years and has raised 2 children since he came to Austin from Houston in the early 80’s.  Scott started his construction career as a teenager and has taken his company to one of the top 20 General Contractors in Austin. His philosophy in business is very similar to his personal life. If you keep doing the right thing and never give up good things happen.