Beth Lawson, Lubbock

Beth Lawson is the Chief Executive Officer of StarCare Specialty Health System the Local Mental Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disability Authority for Lubbock, Hockley, Lynn, Cochran, and Crosby Counties.  Beth started her career at StarCare 32 years ago as a Case Manager in the Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Program.  Ms. Lawson then served for many years as StarCare’s Chief Financial Officer, was promoted to the position of Associate Chief Executive Officer and was named Chief Executive Officer in 2017.  As CEO, Beth is responsible for all aspects of StarCare’s operations, including leadership and management of the company’s finances, workforce, community presence and five service lines which include mental health, substance use disorder, intellectual/developmental disability, aging, and veteran services. Beth’s primary goal is to work diligently so all people who encounter StarCare in any way can have HOPE. 

Ms. Lawson served as a member of the Judicial Council’s Mental Health Committee prior to being appointed Commissioner on the Judicial Commission on Mental Health.  Ms. Lawson is the 2024 Chairperson of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and serves as the current President of the Texas PACE Association.  Ms. Lawson also serves as a member of the West Texas Mental Health Collaborative of which StarCare is a founding member.  Ms. Lawson previously served on the Lubbock Area United Way Board of Directors, where she chaired and/or was a member of the Finance Committee for several years.

Ms. Lawson earned a Master of Business Administration from Wayland Baptist University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Maryland.  Ms. Lawson has been honored by the Lubbock YWCA as a Woman of Excellence in Government and Human Services and is a proud graduate of the Leadership Lubbock Program.  Beth and her husband, William Lawson, PE, PhD, attend Southcrest Baptist Church and have five children, including two daughters-in-law – Dieterich/Margaret, Henry/Phyllis, and Josephine.