Two New Additions to The ALS Association

North Texas Chapter

 The North Texas Chapter of The ALS Association has announced Alex Reid as their new Executive Director and David Waddell, as the new Development Manager. Both began working immediately, helping people living with ALS in the North Texas community.

 Alex Reid, Executive Director

Raised in rural North Carolina, I began work in public relations after graduating from college. Shortly thereafter, I embarked on a 20 year career with the Charlotte Observer in Charlotte, NC, and later moved to Frisco, TX to work for The Dallas Morning News. 

After 25 years in the newspaper industry, I decided to satisfy my lifelong desire to work in a not-for-profit capacity where my work would make a difference and benefit the lives of those who are less fortunate. While I found the newspaper industry to be exciting and rewarding, it was certainly my philanthropic pursuits that became the most gratifying.

Over the last 20 years I’ve had the pleasure of serving on corporate boards and grant review panels with the United Way; volunteered with agencies serving individuals living with AIDS; worked with the Boys and Girls Club and The Shelter for Battered Women; and educated teenage girls on the avoidance of adolescent pregnancy. 

When asked why I wanted to work for The ALS Association, I explain that I was deeply touched by a documentary I saw over 15 years ago describing the devastation of Lou Gehrig’s disease.  For as long as I live, I will never forget those images.

I am extremely delighted to be a part of the ALS Association family.  It is indeed a privilege to work everyday to improve the lives of our patients living with ALS.  I anxiously await the day we find a cure for this debilitating disease!

David Waddell, Development Manager

I am honored and very blessed to be the new Development Manager for The ALS Association, North Texas Chapter.

My life was indirectly touched by ALS when a good family friend was stricken with ALS. I know what this disease can do to a patient and their families. I was touched by the way our community surrounded the family with love and support.

In my very brief tenure here, I see the same spirit. I read the testimonials about how The Walks around the country are touching the lives and bringing all of us closer to a cure and I want to be a small part of helping our families to see this become a reality. I am very impressed with the dedication and commitment we have for our patients and their families and I am moved by the sense of urgency that I have witnessed through our donors, sponsors and friends.

My professional background includes corporate assignments with consumer product companies, law firms and marketing research companies, but I have worked in the not-for-profit sector for over six years.  

During my work for The Potter's House; a 30,000 member church, I witnessed how the power, dedication and commitment of an organization can change and improve the lives of people all over the world. I was blessed to travel all over the world where I learned and embraced having a "love of the ministry" spirit. This spirit not only molded me in helping others but it taught me how to be an exemplary steward of the resources of our dedicated sponsors, donors and volunteers. It is my belief that this wonderful ALS organization  with its' fantastic families and patients is a ministry because through all of our work, efforts, sweat and unfortunately tears, we will leave an indelible mark on the lives of the people we all touch.

I look forward to meeting and working with everyone. The message I continue to hear in different ways from everyone associated with The ALS Association is that we are all here to help find the resources for the cure of ALS.  I believe it starts with educating the community, improving the lives of patients, and capturing the hearts and resources of the community, to help supply the resources we need to cure this disease. Together, one step at a time, we can and will do it!

About Our Chapter

The North Texas Chapter was founded in May 2000 to serve the needs of those living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and their caregivers.

The ALS Association is the only national not-for-profit health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS. ALSA covers all the bases — research, patient and community services, public education, and advocacy — in providing help and hope to those facing the disease.

The ALS Association (National Office and the North Texas Chapter) operates under a shared mission: to help people living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and to leave no stone unturned in search for the cure.

We work together to accomplish our mission. The North Texas Chapter focuses primarily on helping local patients and families live with ALS while the National Office focuses primarily on research and advocacy. The Chapter supports the National Office through revenue sharing and research contributions. The National Office supports the Chapters by providing up-to-date information and materials.

Our accomplishments are made possible by the generosity of others. From the smallest donation to the largest gift, donors touch the ALS community with hope for the future.

History of The ALS Association North Texas Chapter

The ALS Association North Texas Chapter had its beginning as a purely grass roots effort by a group of ALS patients and their loved ones. These dedicated individuals wanted to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of the thousands of others who were fighting a battle with ALS. Working tirelessly from their homes, official documents were filed, events were planned and money was raised so that programs and services could be offered to people with ALS.

Office space was located, staff was hired and in 2000, the Chapter was granted a charter from The ALS Association National office. That year, the first Walk to Defeat ALS was held in North Texas. From those humble beginnings, the Chapter has grown and prospered and has greatly expanded its services and programs.

Local patient services, outreach, information and referral and public education and awareness of ALS remain main goals of the organization. The staff, Board of Directors and Chapter volunteers take this mission very seriously and we constantly strive to do our best to fight this disease on all fronts.

For more information on the Chapter or to volunteer, please contact our office at 972-714-0088 or via email at hope@alsanorthtexas.org