Executive Director

Austin, Texas

Regina is currently the Executive Director of the Texas State Independent Living Council (SILC) in Austin, and is considered the youngest executive director of any SILC across the country. She has over 10 years experience working in the independent living movement, helping to create change for people with disabilities. She graduated from West Texas A&M University with a degree in Mass Communications. Regina has over 10 years experience working in the media field as an award winning television news producer and radio D.J. In 2002 she received the distinguished Barbara Jordan Media Award for a Media Person with a Disability. She is the former Ms. Wheelchair Texas and the third runner up in the Ms. Wheelchair America pageant.

Regina was 10 years old when she was shot in the neck with a rifle at a childhood slumber party. When she was younger she was told she wouldn’t be anything because she was black, female, and in a wheelchair. She is now proving that you are not limited because of your race, background, or disability, but only by your own limitations, you set for yourself.

In her spare time, she is a motivational speaker and runs an independent website called reginasconer.com that highlights people with disabilities. She enjoys speaking to the youth and to anyone interested in turning his or her M.E.S.S. into a message.