The board of directors for San Antonio-based Guide Dogs of Texas selected William “Billy” Rader to serve as the next CEO of the nonprofit organization.
According to a news release, Rader replaces Sandy Merrill, who asked to return to working directly with the nonprofit’s blind clients as a guide dog mobility instructor after serving as CEO since 2014.
Located south of Castle Hills, Guide Dogs of Texas is the only internationally certified nonprofit guide dog provider located in Texas and serves people with vision loss and their families within a 1,400-mile radius, the release said. The organization has provided more than 240,000 days of canine-powered guided sight since 1989, the release said.
“I saw that same passion in Billy’s eyes that is in all of ours,” Merrill said in a statement. “I’m beyond excited about the possibilities for future growth under his leadership.”
Board Chair Gail Hathaway said Rader brings extensive leadership and management expertise to his new position in San Antonio. Guide Dogs of Texas officials said Rader’s previous nonprofit CEO experience includes the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ozarks in Branson, Missouri; the 7hills Homeless Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas; and Sedalia, Missouri-based Retrieving Freedom, which provides service dogs for veterans and individuals with autism.
“We are grateful to Sandy for her spectacular leadership and selfless service for the past eight years. We are exceptionally pleased that she’ll stay on with us as a GDMI,” Hathaway said.
“We are tremendously excited about the arrival of Billy Rader. With over 25 years of success providing senior leadership and operational management across multiple organizations, we know he’ll lead our talented team to the next level of organizational success,” Hathaway said.
The release said San Antonians will have an opportunity to meet Rader and join in a Guide Dogs of Texas puppy graduation celebration at 9 a.m. Feb. 26 at the nonprofit’s training center/office, 1503 Allena Drive. Free registration is available at www.eventbrite.com/e/266182899217.
