Jennie Deese, Executive Director
Education:
B.S., Child and Family Development, Auburn University
Background:
Jennie Deese has worked in aging programs in Georgia for over 28 years. She worked in social services at a long term care facility then became the Director of Social Services for Humana Hospital Augusta before moving to Atlanta. She served as an Ombudsman for 16 years in the Metropolitan Atlanta Ombudsman Program where she advocated for the rights of people residing in long term care facilities. While there, she received the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Eagle Award for Advocacy.
In 2002, Jennie became the Director of the GeorgiaCares Program overseeing the development of over 75 partnerships with public and private industry. Leading the state in Medicare education and outreach on the new Medicare Modernization Act which included the new Medicare Prescription Drug benefit was a major responsibility. In 2006, she became the Director of Community Outreach for the state of Georgia’s first statewide Medicare Special Needs Program, Care Improvement Plus.
Today, she serves as the Executive Director of the Athens Community Council on Aging, overseeing 14 programs in 12 counties in Northeast Georgia.
Eve R. Anthony, Co-Deputy Executive Director
Education:
Recreation Therapy, University of Georgia
Professional Certificate in Gerontology, Kennesaw State
Background:
Eve Anthony, CTRS has been employed with the Athens Community Council on Aging since December of 2000 and currently serves as the Co-Deputy Executive Director. Her responsibilities include the oversight of the agency’s four Adult Day Services Programs, the Home Delivered Meals Programs and Project Healthy Grandparents.
She facilitates two Alzheimer's Caregiver support groups and teaches a variety of classes for Professional and Family Caregivers through the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association including Challenging Behaviors, Care Techniques, and Activity Programming for the Person with Dementia. She has served as the chair of the Athens Memory Walk from 2006-2008 and continues to serve on the steering committee.
Eve is a certified instructor of the Power Tools for Caregivers course through UGA’s Cooperative Extension and is a member of a variety of agency organizations including the Georgia Gerontology Society, American Society on Aging and the Georgia Adult Day Care Association.
Dee Dee Gaines, Co-Deputy Executive Director
Education:
B.S., Health Education, East Tennessee State University
M.S., Public Administration, Troy University
Certified Health Education Specialist
Background:
DeeDee Gaines has worked in the health and wellness field nearly 15 years. She worked for five years with Public Health in Georgia in a variety health education projects and services as the Health Education Coordinator for the South Central Health District. After a move to South Carolina, she began an 8 year journey of working with rural health for Clarendon Health System in Manning, SC. While there, she worked with a huge variety of community partners to improve the health and wellness of the area. She served as the Chair of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and on the steering committee for many years. In fact, she was honored with the Impact Award from the Southeast Division of the American Cancer Society.
Upon moving back to her home state of Georgia, she began working with the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government as the Wellness Coordinator prior to coming to ACCA. DeeDee serves as a Co-Deputy Director for the agency.
Nita Norris, Personnel Manager
Education:
Business, Truett McConnell College
Background:
Nita Norris is Personnel Director of the Athens Community Council on Aging, a private not-for-profit organization which serves 12 counties in Northeast Georgia. Nita has been with the Council since 2001. Prior to coming to the Council, she worked with the Wilkins Industries as a customer service representative.
Tom Shelton, Financial Director
Education:
B.S. Management, Clemson University
Master of Public Administration, Georgia State University
Background:
Tom began working as Financial Director for ACCA in December, 1996. His previous work experience includes management and accounting positions with Northeast Georgia Family Medical Centers, the Internal Revenue Service, the Veterans Administration and the Department of the Army.
April Robertson, Senior Financial Manager
Stephanie Carte, Financial Operations Manager
Claire Boozer, Administrative Research Director
Education:
Graduate Certificate, Gerontology, University of Georgia
B.S., Psychology, University of Georgia
A.B., Sociology, University of Georgia
Background:
Claire Boozer has worked as the Administrative Research Director since May of 2009. During her undergraduate career at UGA, she worked under Dr. Gail Williamson of the Developmental Psychology Program as an Undergraduate Research Assistant on her Family Relationships in Late Life Project as well as under Dr. Michael Kernis of the Social Psychology Program as an Undergraduate Research Experimenter.
Current projects that Claire is involved in include the Railroad Days Fundraiser planning and agency-wide directed grant seeking. Claire is the Editor of the quarterly newsletter, ACCENT and also manages the Council on Aging website. In the community, Claire serves on the 2010 Athens-Clarke County Census Committee and volunteers at a local retirement home.
Program Staff
Keith Adams, Program Coordinator, Winder Adult Day Health
Education:
B.A., English, University of Louisville, 1993
Gerontology Certificate, Kennesaw State University, 2006
Background:
Keith began working with ACCA in 2003 as the activities coordinator of the Athens Day Center. In 2005, Keith became the program coordinator of the Winder facility and the Winder HDM program. He received the Director’s Award for Excellence from ACCA in 2006.
Jessica Bankston, Program Director, GeorgiaCares
Eduation
B.S., Human Services, Florida Gulf Coast University
Background:
Jessica Bankston is the Program Coordinator for the GeorgiaCares program at the Athens Community Council on Aging. Originally from Florida, Jessica is a certified GeorgiaCares coordinator and can help with Medicare questions, insurance problems, enrollment into the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program, and provide information on other assistance programs in our area. Jessica is available Monday – Friday from 8:00am-4:30pm for appointments either over the phone or at the Athens Community Council on Aging office in person.
Michelle Brinson, Program Director, Senior Community Employment Service Program
Education:
B.S. Sociology, Psychology, Georgia College and State University
Background:
Michelle began working as the Director of the Senior Community Service Employment Program in May of 2009. After college she was employed at several local Athens Offices working in management and accounting. Throughout her education Michelle was involved with various charities, she also had experience coordinating various charitable events for a former employer.
These experiences lead her to decide that non-profit social work would be her life path. Michelle is active with The Athens Community Council on Aging’s Green Team, Older Network Providers, Georgia’s Older Worker Network, Hands on Northeast Georgia, The Chamber of Commerce, L.E.A.D. Athens, Athens Young Professionals Network, and is a Nancy Travis Hope for Babies, Care for Kids Board Member.
Overall, Michelle aims ensure the future of our environment as well as the people she helps through our agency and throughout Athens.
Cheryl Dean, Director of Nursing, Athens Adult Day Health
Education:
Practical Nursing License, 1988
Associate in Arts, Truett McConnell College, 1994
B.S. Nursing, Brenau University, 1996
Background:
Cheryl is a dedicated and highly skilled registered nurse with over 20 years of nursing experience in various modalities, including over 14 years at St. Mary's Hospital in Athens, GA and 3 years of home health care. She has been employed with the Athens Community Council on Aging since October 2004 as a Registered Nurse.
Cheryl is currently the Director of Nursing Services at the Bentley Adult Day Care Center, the Winder-Barrow Day Care Center, Elberton Adult Day Care Center, and the Walton County Mobile Day Care program, offering the utmost personal attention and professioinal healthcare for each and every client.
Junie Hewell, Coordinator, Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
Education:
B.S. Social Work, University of Georgia
Masters, Social Work, University of Georgia
Background:
Junie began working as a staff Ombudsman at the Athens Council on Aging in Sept. of 1997 after completing an internship at the Adult Day Care Center. She received certification as an Ombudsman in March of 1998. Junie has received the Directors Award for Excellence from the Athens Council on Aging and also received a Special Initiative Award by the State Ombudsman Program in 2000.
Junie is active in CoCO (Council of Community Ombudsmen) having served as Treasurer from 2001 to2005. In 2001 she began working as CoCoordinator of the Ombudsman Program along with Robin Miller.
Chris Hill, Director, Senior Center
Education:
Certificate, Gerontology, Kennesaw State University, 2006
A.B., Social Work, University of Georgia, 1998
Background:
Since deciding to obtain a degree in Social Work, Chris' passion has been working with older adults. During his studies, he completed an internship here at ACCA in the Senior Center as well as at Medical Arts Health Facility in Lawrenceville, GA. His professional experience has been exclusive to working with older adults in a variety of settings and positions. He has worked for ACCA for 9 years and continues to be amazed at what this agency is able to do and how it is able to help so many people in our area.
Tony Lay, Director, Transportation
Background:
Tony began working at ACCA in 1982 as a driver. In 1986 he became the coordinator for transportation and has been doing that ever since. He graduated from Cedar Shoals in 1978 and went into the U.S. Airforce that same year.
Sarah McKinney, Program Director, Home Delivered Meals
Education:
Certificate in Social Work, University of Georgia
Professional Certificate in Gerontology, Kennesaw State University
Certificate of Leadership, University of Dayton
Background:
Sarah began her work with ACCA in 1999 as a volunteer from the Social Work Department at the University of Georgia. From August 2000-May 2001 she worked in the ACCA Homecare program as a social work intern. When her internship was complete, she was hired as the Program Coordinator for ACCA’s Mobile Adult Day Health Program. While coordinating this program in Elbert and Green counties, Sarah successfully added Newton County as a new Mobile site.
In July of 2002, Sarah was hired as the GeorgiaCares Coordinator to establish services in the entire NEGA region. In November 2003, Sarah became the Coordinator of Home Delivered Meals. She has worked to help launch several new initiatives within the meals program. To name a few, the start up of Home Delivered Meals in Barrow County, the implementation of the SOURCE Medicaid program and most recently the new Meals for You Program.
In addition to new programs, she has worked each year to secure and maintain funds from the community including generous local donations from individuals and foundations to corporate grants such as Wal-Mart and the Altria Corporation. Currently, Sarah is Director of both Athens-Clarke and Barrow County Meals on Wheels Programs, provides technical assistance to the GeorgiaCares Program and serves on many committees within ACCA.
Sarah is a current member of the Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA). Most recently, she joined the Georgia Association of Community Care Provider network. In 2007, Sarah received the Directors Award for Excellence.
Meals On Wheels Staff, Trishanne Langford and Heather Sweaney
Robin Miller, Coordinator, Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
Education:
B.F.A., University of Georgia, 1993
B.A. Psychology, Sociology, University of Georgia, 1972
Background:
Robin has worked at the Council on Aging as the LTCO Co-Coordinator since July of 1996. Before coming to ACCA, she worked as a caseworker in Jackson County D.F.C.S. and then Greene County D.F.C.S.. She has been employed with the Council on Aging in the past, working in the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
Don Payton, Program Director, Senior Corps
Education:
B.A., Sociology, Mercer University
MDiv, Urban/Social Ministry, Memphis Theological Seminary
Background:
Don has 28 years experience in senior citizen, child and family development, organizational and community development, as well as resource development and fundraising in Georgia and Tennessee. Executive positions include the Communities In Schools of Georgia, Carter Presidential Center/Emory University, Georgia Department of Human Resources/Division of Aging, Hughes Spalding Children’s Hospital (Grady Health System), the Turner and Fonda Family Foundations, and partnerships with Americorps, Senior Corps and VISTA programs.
Previous focus areas in aging services were the expansion of the Georgia Community Care Services Program, advocacy training, senior citizen legislation, home health nursing care, aging-in-place service delivery and assisting in the creation of the CO-AGE advocacy network. Other areas of expertise include building coalition networks and developing public/private sector partnerships.
RSVP, Emory Griffith
Paige Tidwell, Program Director, Kinship/Project Healthy Grandparents
Education:
Associates of Arts, General Studies, Gainesville State College
Bachelors, Social Work, University of Georgia
Masters, Social Work, University of Georgia
Background:
Paige began working as the Coordinator of Healthy Grandparents at the Athens Community Council on Aging in March of 2009. While at the University of Georgia, Paige interned with both Healthy Grandparents and Clarke County Schools. Before working with Healthy Grandparents, Paige worked as a Companion for Georgia Options.
Mary Beth Toles, Program Specialist, Winder Home Delivered Meals
Education:
Bachelors, Social Work, University of Georgia
Background:
Mary Beth began working with ACCA in October of 2008 as the Program Specialist for the Healthy Grandparents program. During her undergraduate career at UGA, she served as an intern for the Healthy Grandparents program and was hired shortly after the completion of her internship. In September of 2009, Mary Beth became the Program Specialist for the Winder Home Delivered Meals Program.