THE MAKING OF ROUNDUP FOR AUTISM
In 1988, Bobby Norris was searching for autism-specific services for his daughter, Audra. At the time, it was estimated that 1 in 10,000 children were diagnosed with autism according to the Center for Disease Control, and services were not readily available. Bobby’s search led him to the Autism Treatment Center and they gave him hope. That hope turned in to a mission. Bobby’s generous heart and philanthropic spirit prompted him to start the Roundup for Autism to raise funds to support the vital programs and services at the Autism Treatment Center.
The first Roundup for Autism event was held at Bobby’s ranch in Burleson. Consisting of a one day cutting and roping competition, this event raised $5,000 that was presented to the Autism Treatment Center. Since then, the event has grown into several major fundraising events through the year spanning the state of Texas. Today, Roundup is one of Texas' largest fundraisers for the Autism Treatment Centers of Texas and just celebrated it’s 30th year!
Roundup, in partnership with the Lone Star Pony Express (one of Roundup’s biggest supporters) holds fundraising events across Texas throughout the year. Events include: the Lone Star Pony Express BBQ Cook-Off at Winch Ranch in Montgomery; Lone Star Pony Express Golf Tournament in Houston; Kick-Off Party in the Fort Worth Stockyards; Roundup’s biggest event, the Pegasus Ball - a black-tie affair at the Fairmont Dallas; 2 days of sorting, roping and barrel racing competitions at Glenrose Expo Center in Glenrose; and smaller events throughout the year in the DFW area!
It takes dedication, perseverance, and all types of talents to produce these events throughout the year - in other words, it takes an army!
Want to get involved? Click here to Join our team of volunteers and our Roundup family!
The first Roundup for Autism event was held at Bobby’s ranch in Burleson. Consisting of a one day cutting and roping competition, this event raised $5,000 that was presented to the Autism Treatment Center. Since then, the event has grown into several major fundraising events through the year spanning the state of Texas. Today, Roundup is one of Texas' largest fundraisers for the Autism Treatment Centers of Texas and just celebrated it’s 30th year!
Roundup, in partnership with the Lone Star Pony Express (one of Roundup’s biggest supporters) holds fundraising events across Texas throughout the year. Events include: the Lone Star Pony Express BBQ Cook-Off at Winch Ranch in Montgomery; Lone Star Pony Express Golf Tournament in Houston; Kick-Off Party in the Fort Worth Stockyards; Roundup’s biggest event, the Pegasus Ball - a black-tie affair at the Fairmont Dallas; 2 days of sorting, roping and barrel racing competitions at Glenrose Expo Center in Glenrose; and smaller events throughout the year in the DFW area!
It takes dedication, perseverance, and all types of talents to produce these events throughout the year - in other words, it takes an army!
Want to get involved? Click here to Join our team of volunteers and our Roundup family!
About Autism Treatment Center
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Since 1976, the Autism Treatment Center has assisted individuals with autism throughout their lives as they learn, play, work and live in the community. By providing a lifetime of services and support 24/7/365, ATC is changing lives and building brighter futures for children and adults with autism.
Services include residential, educational, therapeutic, adult programs and research. Learn more at www.atcoftexas.org 
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Who We Are
Steering Committee
Executive Director
Gina Marx |
Event Co-Chair
Darin Prejean |
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Auction Chair
Michelle Weatherspoon |
LASSO Chairman
Deborah Hopson |
Fort Worth Auction Chair
Leslie Arnold |
Volunteer Chairmen
Norm & Valerie Westfall |
Ranch Sorting Chairman
Pete Muzyka |
LSPE Chairmen
Mel & Lynda Newsom |
Volunteer Committee
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Leslie Arnold
Nadine Ashley Shana Santoni Stephanie & Fred Baugh Jewel Bennett Julie Blankenship Tracy & Eddy Branch Debbie Castles Laura Compston Lori Conrad Cindy Cottier Melissa & Nathan Darby Meegan & Scott Depauw Mindy Page Dorris Maria & Don Farrar Janie Frickie Karen & Bob Garcia Carolyn Garver Kay Goldthwaite Tri Goldthwaite Neysa Gresham Michelle Hammons Pam & Ray Harris Brooke & Matt Hayes Denise Hayslip DeBorah Hopson Anna Hundley |
Patte Ivie
Susan & Andy Jacobs Stuart Jochimsen Debbie Johnson Nestor Eduardo Estrada Bethany & Aaron Kennedy Diane & Buffalo Kinzer Lisa LaCoe Cyndy Ladas Anne Lockhart-Taylor Susan & Keith Maddox Denise & Fern Marin Gina & David Marx Jennifer & Neil Massey Etta & Bill Miller Luis Nazario Brenda Moe David Moore Sherree & Blake Moran Martha & Pete Muzyka Lynda & Mel Newsom Cathy Noe Mike Peevy Tanya Peevy Shanda Perkins Cathy & Buddy Pettigrew Kelly Pickens George & Brenda Grissom |
Paula Pittsinger
Darin Prejean Jana Purser Wayne Purser Patty Purvis Andre Yabin Gary Ray Marty Rendleman Sally Rose Heather & Allen Russell Scott Schlaetti Bobby Sharp Amie & David Simpson John Strange Nancy Taylor Lynn Thrower Chris Travis Nicole Traycoff Susan Underwood Vickie Gall Genie & Larry Wagner* Mr. & Mrs. Brandon Walker Michelle & Josh Weatherspoon Scott Weismann Val & Norman Westfall Autumn Wheat Tuffy Williams * In memory of years of dedication |
Board of Directors
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Bobby Norris
In 1988, Bobby founded the Roundup for Autism that is today the Autism Treatment Center’s biggest fundraising event. Bobby is a farm and ranch realtor/owner, rancher and quarter horse cutting champion and trainer. Bobby grew up in Colorado and attended Colorado State University. After graduating, he moved his equine operations to Texas in 1982. He is a past president (three terms) for American Quarter Horse Association; board member of the National Cutting Horse Association; and member of the National Cattle Raisers Association. Currently, Bobby serves as a board member of the Stock Show Syndicate, Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the Autism Treatment Center. Bobby is the father of 5 and resides in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife JJ and two boys. He is the General Manager of his father’s ranch, T-Cross Ranch, in Colorado Springs. The Norris Foundation, Bobby and the Norris Family have been “Fighting Autism the Cowboy Way for Over 30 Years!” Anna Hundley Anna Hundley is the Executive Director of the Autism Treatment Center, a position she has held since 1982. In 1985, Anna was appointed by Texas Governor Mark White to be a founding member of the Texas Autism Task Force, charged with developing the State Plan of services for people with autism. Since then, she has been appointed by five consecutive governors to serve on several statewide councils, including the Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders where she served as Vice Chair; in 2012, Anna was appointed by Governor Rick Perry to the State Independent Living Council. Mike Gerro Mike Gerro is the Vice President of Frost Bank and long time supporter and sponsor of the Roundup for Autism. Mike joined the Roundup for Autism Board in January of 2019. His commitment to Roundup's cause and expertise in the financial industry makes him a valuable asset to our team and a true friend to us all! Heather H. Russell Heather served as the Director of Development at the Autism Treatment Center from 1988 to 2012. It was in 1988, when Bobby Norris created Roundup for Autism and asked Heather to work with him to make the event a long term fundraiser for the ATC. In 2012, Heather moved to Washington DC to be with family however continued to virtually co-chair the Roundup for Autism. In DC, she was the Director of Development for the Office of Research at George Washington University where she focused on establishing the Autism & Neurodevelopment Initiative. In 2016, Heather started her own nonprofit consulting company, Nova Solutions LLC which has allowed her to once again serve the ATC in fundraising efforts and continue co-chairing the Roundup for Autism. In January 2020, Heather became a member of the Roundup for Autism Board of Directors. |
Honorary Chairmen
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Dean & Debby Smith
Dean Smith born in 1932 grew up in Texas. In 1950 as a senior in Graham High School he made Look Magazine All American in track. He ran track at the University of Texas where he won 8 Southwest Conference Sprint titles and won a gold medal in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. By way of the Army Dean landed in California where he played for the LA Rams. Soon after he found his way to Hollywood where he became a premier Stuntman. He made 10 movies with John Wayne and doubled some of Hollywood’s leading men including Dale Robertson, and Robert Redford. |
Dean retired and moved back to Texas in 1992 where he met his wife, Debby. They married in 1996 at Alamo Village, at Bracketville, Texas. Their years together have been spent entertaining kids with his trick horses. Donating their time to many charitable events; Bobby Norris Roundup for Autism, Johnson County’s Cowboy for Kids, Weatherford’s Childs Advocacy Center and produced three Dean Smith Celebrity Rodeo’s for cancer. Their biggest production, Finis Dean Smith II arrived on Dec. 7 1998.
Dean has been inducted in the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, Longhorn Hall of Honor, awarded a lifetime achievement award from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma, has a star on the Texas Trail of Fame, and has many other awards and honors.
In 2005 Dean was diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer of the bone marrow. These last 15 years he has driven to Ft. Worth for treatment at The Center for Cancer and blood disorders, always with Debby by his side he has not missed a beat.
Dean’s book “Cowboy Stuntman from Olympic Gold to the silver screen” published by Texas Tech Press, was released in 2013. They live on their ranch in Ivan, Texas and have horses, longhorn cattle, and every other animal Debby can get her hands on.
The Roundup for Autism is proud to call Dean and Debby Smith, our friends and true Texas Heroes!
Dean has been inducted in the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, Longhorn Hall of Honor, awarded a lifetime achievement award from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma, has a star on the Texas Trail of Fame, and has many other awards and honors.
In 2005 Dean was diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer of the bone marrow. These last 15 years he has driven to Ft. Worth for treatment at The Center for Cancer and blood disorders, always with Debby by his side he has not missed a beat.
Dean’s book “Cowboy Stuntman from Olympic Gold to the silver screen” published by Texas Tech Press, was released in 2013. They live on their ranch in Ivan, Texas and have horses, longhorn cattle, and every other animal Debby can get her hands on.
The Roundup for Autism is proud to call Dean and Debby Smith, our friends and true Texas Heroes!
2019 - Shawn & Vida Valk
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2018 - The Honorable Rex & Renda Tillerson
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2017 - Luther & Therese Winch
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2016 - John & Charlotte Kimberlin
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Steve & Sharon Folsom - 2015
Yvonne Crum - 2014 Sheila Johnson - 2013 David & Amie Simpson - 2012 Congressman Pete Sessions - 2011 Laura & Mayor Tom Leppert - 2010 Jaap & Aaltje van Zweden - 2009 Jill and Tracy Rowlett - 2008 Carolyn and Starke Taylor - 2007 Dee and Charles Wyly - 2006 Minnie and Bill Caruth - 2005 Sharon and Ed Fjordbak - 2004 Lynn Dealey and Russell Dealey - 2003 |
Dona and Reuben D. Martinez - 2002
Pilar Wayne Upchurch - 2001 Steve Murrin - 2000 Sheriff Tommy Thomas - 1999 Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Norris - 1998 Dee and Frank Cass - 1997 Maria and Thomas Windham - 1997 Barry Corbin - 1996 Ben Johnson - 1995 Fran Chiles - 1994 Rich Conner - 1993 Bobby Norris - 1988 to 1992 |
Fighting autism the cowboy way for over 30 years!
11651 Plano Rd, Ste 100
Dallas, TX 75243 |
MAIN: 817-312-5845
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GINA@ROUNDUPFORAUTISM.ORG
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