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Good things are said to come in small packages, and that may never be truer than when describing the n4a staff. Comprised of just 12 members, the staff works on behalf of Area Agencies on Aging and Title VI - Native American aging programs and the older population and caregivers they serve.
n4a's staff devotes its energy to advocating on behalf of AAAs and Title VI programs at the national and grassroots levels, to providing training and technical assistance to its members and to operating numerous programs, including the nationwide Eldercare Locator and a myriad of special projects. The staff also coordinates our Annual Conference and Aging Policy Briefing.
Chief Executive Officer SANDY MARKWOOD has twenty-five years experience in the development and delivery of aging, health, human services, housing and transportation programs in counties and cities across the nation. Prior to coming to n4a in January 2002, Sandy served as the Deputy Director of County Services at the National Association of Counties where she took a lead role in research, training, conference planning, program development, technical assistance and grants management.
As CEO, Sandy is responsible for n4a's overall management. She sets strategic direction for the staff, oversees the implementation of all policy, grassroots advocacy, membership and program initiatives. She also leads n4a's fund-raising efforts and engages corporate sponsors to support critical initiatives, including an aging awards/best practices program and the planned creation of a Leadership Institute for Area Agency on Aging staff. Externally, Sandy forms strategic partnerships with federal agencies and organizations in aging, human service and health care arenas to enhance the role and recognition of Area Agencies on Aging and Title VI programs.
Sandy holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Virginia.
JOANETTA BOLDEN, Marketing Outreach Specialist for the Eldercare Locator, joined the n4a team in October 2003 after serving several months as a marketing consultant for the program. Joanetta works to increase public awareness and use of the Eldercare Locator by older persons and their caregivers with particular outreach efforts targeted to minority and other special populations. She develops promotional materials, manages media relations and advertising, conducts informational briefings with employee groups and potential promotional partners, and staffs exhibits at national conferences and other outreach events. Joanetta also is the staff liaison to n4a's Cultural and Ethnic Diversity Committee.
Prior to n4a, Joanetta served as a communications consultant with a range of diverse organizations following more than 20 years working in media relations with AARP, United Way of America and the United Way system in Chicago.
She holds a BA in Journalism from Northern Illinois University.
ABIGAIL EDDY joined the staff in July 2007 as the Associate Program Director in Medicare Education. As part of the Aging Services Network Community Based Enrollment Campaign, Abigail provides technical
assistance to campaign partners engaged in targeted outreach for low-income Medicare beneficiaries. She assists in the development and delivery of new outreach efforts related the Medicare Part D/Low-Income Subsidy and monitors and disseminates updates in the Medicare program to the Aging Network.
Abigail brings her background in working on Medicare related issues from her time at ElderNet of Lower Merion where she assisted in the initial enrollment for Medicare Part D. She joins n4a from working in the Philadelphia area at the Center for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) where she assisted in the development of the Pennsylvania Direct Care Worker Association. She holds a Masters in Social Service and a Masters in Law and Social Policy from Bryn Mawr College.
HELEN ELTZEROTH serves as Deputy Director, Programs and Communications. Helen joined the n4a staff in October 2004 as Manager of the Eldercare Locator and was promoted in November of 2006 to Deputy Director, Programs and Communications. Helen brings with her a background in business and human services. Her business background includes working in various positions at Fannie Mae, directing a large residential lending division as Senior Vice President of Ameribanc, and as co-founder and owner of a consulting firm, Elm Hill Associates. Prior to joining n4a, Helen served as a Project Manager for the AARP Foundation and has held various other human services positions, including working at the Rehabilitation Research Training Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, the National Center for Seniors' Housing Research at the NAHB Research Center, and the Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging.
Helen coordinates all activities associated with n4a grant and program initiatives. This includes grant reporting and accountability and new program development and outreach. Developing effective and consistent n4a internal and external communications is an important part of her responsibilities.
Helen has a B.S. in Education from Indiana University and a M.S. in Gerontology from Virginia Commonwealth University.
AMY E. GOTWALS joined n4a in September 2005 as Director of Public Policy and Legislative Affairs. Amy leads n4a's advocacy efforts to ensure that needed resources and support services are available to older Americans and their caregivers. Amy has 11 years of public policy, lobbying, and grassroots organizing experience. She has represented diverse groups including the Older Women's League, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, and the National Network for Youth.
Amy and KJ Hertz share responsibility for promoting n4a's federal budget and appropriations priorities and Older Americans Act reauthorization proposals. They also develop the program for n4a's Aging Policy Briefing. Amy is the organization's lead on Medicare, Social Security and pension issues.
A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, Amy holds a Master's degree in Legislative Affairs from the George Washington University.
K.J. HERTZ joined n4a in February 2002 and currently serves as Associate Director of Public Policy and Legislative Affairs. K.J. monitors legislative activities on Capitol Hill, conducts issue-related research to support n4a's policy objectives and represents n4a at events on aging policy. K.J. leads n4a's policy efforts on Medicaid, transportation, housing, and older worker issues, and shares responsibility with Amy for promoting n4a's federal budget, appropriations and Older Americans Act priorities and developing the program for n4a's Aging Policy Briefing.
K.J. brings experience from both the public and private sectors to n4a. Prior to joining n4a, he worked as a Legislative Assistant with Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY) on issues such as business, communications, defense, foreign affairs, science and technology, tax and budget, trade and veteran affairs. K.J. also served as a Manager in the sales organization of the consulting firm of Arthur Andersen.
He holds a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, and is presently a part-time student at the George Mason University School of Public Policy.
MARTIN KLEFFNER serves as the n4a Comptroller. Martin is responsible for all aspects of the n4a fiscal operation, including accounts payable and receivables, budget development, financial reporting, and the annual audit. In addition to these responsibilities Martin also oversees the office's administrative functions, including benefits and database management, facility maintenance, and payroll. Martin serves as the staff liaison to n4a's Finance Committee.
Martin has worked at n4a over 12 years and has been educated in Germany with an advanced degree in General Business Management, Economics and Nutrition. He is fluent in English and German.
ROBERT LOGAN serves as Deputy Director of Operations and Membership Services. He is responsible for all internal operations of the organization including financial, and membership services. In addition Bob is responsible for membership related services and the planning for national n4a conference. He continues to serve as the n4a liaison between the aging network, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Administration on Aging (AoA) on the Medicare Rx Community-Based Aging Network Education Program.
Bob has worked in aging for 31 years, including in the nursing home industry, as a direct service provider and as head of the Area Agency on Aging in Cincinnati, Ohio, for 14 of his 19 years there. He served on the n4a Board as both a member and alternate for seven years, and was active for years in local and state government, helping to create community based long-term care systems. Additionally, Bob was an Adjunct Professor at the Scripps Gerontology Center, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, teaching in the Masters program.
Bob has a B.A. in History and an M.A. in Urban Studies, both from the University of Akron, Ohio.
MARY BRUGGER MURPHY has had more than twenty-five years of experience in the field of aging. She has worked on a wide range of projects for most of the national aging organizations in Washington, DC and for additional groups focused on specific health issues. Her roles have ranged from consultant to program director to executive director and her responsibilities have included extensive writing and product development as well as management and oversight.
Much of her work has involved programs and services for frail, vulnerable older adults and focused on the care and protection of those individuals and the promotion of community-based services. Many of her projects have involved consensus-building among groups with disparate interests and the establishment of working relationships among other groups.
Mary is the Program Manager for the Older Driver Safety Project and the MetLife Foundation's Older Volunteers Enrich America Awards Project.
Mary has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland and a Master's degree from Johns Hopkins University.
SANDRA REYNOLDS joined the staff in March, 2007, as Manager of the Eldercare Locator. Sandra brings with her a background in healthcare, research, teaching, and business. Most recently, she was the branch manager of a home health agency located in a senior living community in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Previous to that position, she was the Program Coordinator of a NIH population-based, multidisciplinary grant at the University of Georgia, testing the physical and cognitive abilities of centenarians. Sandra has conducted research on issues related to aging and healthcare, co-authored research publications and book chapters in these fields, and taught university courses in the field of Adult Development.
Sandra supervises and coordinates all activities associated with the Eldercare Locator. This includes developing and conducting training; monitoring Call Center functions, selecting vendors and negotiating contracts; making presentations at conferences and meetings; monitoring and evaluating statistics; updating and evaluating database information; overseeing marketing initiatives, campaigns, and materials development; and facilitating meetings and discussions with Advisory and Panel Committees.
Sandra has a Ph.D. in Housing with a Certificate in Gerontology from Virginia Tech, a M.B.A from Millsaps College, and a B.S. in Nursing from The University of Mississippi.
Executive Assistant RHODA SEAY is responsible for many of n4a's administrative activities. Rhoda maintains the membership database, assists Martin with maintaining n4a's accounts payable and receivable and is responsible for managing registration for n4a's annual Aging Policy Briefing. Rhoda also provides administrative support to many of n4a's special projects.
JENNIFER THOMPSON, Project Assistant, joined the n4a staff as Receptionist and Office Assistant in October 2004 and was promoted in March 2007 to Project Assistant for the Eldercare Locator and Volunteer Programs. Jennifer provides administrative support to the Eldercare Locator’s numerous information distribution and outreach activities. In addition, she assists with exhibit, meeting, and award logistics for the Eldercare Locator and Volunteer programs and manages the Eldercare Locator Resource Center.
TABITHA WILSON, Assistant Director of the National Center on Senior Transportation. Tabitha joined n4a in February 2007 and is responsible for the design, delivery, and evaluation of the Center's Technical Assistance program, including designing protocols, assisting with the management of the National Steering Committee, conducting site visits, and managing demonstration grants.
Tabitha brings a wealth of knowledge of the aging network. In her most recent position at AgeOptions, the Area Agency for suburban Cook County, IL she oversaw the agency's procurement process, including issuing Requests for Proposals (RFP), and monitoring and evaluating all grants. She also gained valuable transportation planning experience during her time at a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) where she assisted in the development and implementation of regional plans for transportation and employment (welfare-to-work) projects.
She has a Bachelors Degree from Spelman College and a Masters Degree in Social Work (Research and Administration Concentration) from the University of Georgia.
NAOMI ZERAY, joined the n4a team in March 2006 as Project Assistant to the Eldercare Locator. She was promoted in February 2007 to Information Specialist for the new National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST). Naomi researches and assists with the production and distribution of newsletters, brochures, fact sheets and other NCST publications. She also helps to coordinate NCST events, and represents the program as an exhibitor at transportation and aging conferences.
Prior to n4a, Naomi was the Executive Assistant to the Ambassador at the Embassy of the State of Eritrea in Washington, DC, and before this, also held the same position in Nairobi, Kenya.
Naomi holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Maryland University College.
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