2007-2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Darrell Johnson
I was the Administrator of Via Pacifica Gardens (a low income seniors apartment complex) in Aptos for 181/2 years, retiring in September, 2007. I am an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and served churches in Idaho, Kansas, and northern California with my last pastorate at Garfield Park Christian Church in Santa Cruz before beginning my ministry at Via Pacifica Gardens. I am married, have three children (one deceased), and three Grandchildren. I have been a part of the Seniors Council Board for almost three years with this year being my first as Board President. I have always been interested in Seniors concerns as my 18+ years at VPG attest.
VICE-PRESIDENT
CAROL TONEY:
The programs that serve seniors in Santa Cruz and San Benito county are a very important part of the quality of the life for those served. I want to see that these programs are continued, improved and expanded. I live in Aptos with my husband, Jim, and have been active in the League of Women Voters, AAUW and the First Congregational Church.
SECRETARY
JIM McGOVERN
Dr. McGovern is a licensed professional industrial engineer with many years of diversified consulting and industrial experience. He provides research, consultation and education services to companies, public agencies and non-profits relating to Business Development, Organizational Growth and Manufacturing Technology. He also provides Consulting Assistance Services to other consulting organizations.
He was on the faculty at the University of Georgia as the Director of the Institute for Business where he directed the Georgia Small Business Development Center, (SBDC), 15 offices throughout the State, the Technology Transfer Program and the Innovation/Incubation Center. He also was a Technology and Business Consultant at the Institute of Community and Area Development (ICAD) where he lead ICAD teams in major community and regional environmentally sound economic development programs.
He has been an executive with and consulted for companies such as: IBM, Science Management Corporation, Decision Studies Group, Motor Convoy, Renault, Sud Aviation, Electric Boat Company, Ampex, Acurex, Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical, FMC, Weyerhaeuser, Homelite, Burlington Industries, AT&SF, Bata Limited, Fingerhut and San Jose Steel.
Dr. McGovern has authored over seventy papers and referred journal articles on: Business Development, Technology Transfer, Environmentally Sound Economic Development, Innovation, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology and Supply Chain Management His Board of Directors activities have included: Advanced Technology Development Center at Georgia Tech.: Advisory Committee. SBA Region IV, Santa Cruz Aggregate Co., Chairman of the Board, Designet, Inc.
He is the Past President, Secretary of the BOD, Seniors Council of Santa Cruz & San Benito County (Non Profit) and serves on Aptos Chamber of Commerce committees: Business Showcase, Community Enhancement & Technology. His international executive and consulting travel has been to England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, Germany, France, Peru, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
TREASURER
TERRY HANCOCK
The Seniors Council plays a pivotal role in the provision of critical services to area seniors. I see my role on the Board as helping to ensure the smooth provision of quality services to seniors in need of decent housing, sustainable income, medical services, transportation and freedom from elder abuse. With your support I will continue this service to the senior community on the Seniors Council Board. My background is that I have been an attorney at Senior Citizens Legal Services since 1981. I understand and appreciate the problems faced by our area’s aging population and I want to do my part to help solve these problems.
MEMBER
ANDREA STEINER
MEMBER
ANDREW MARIN
I am a native of Beliz, however I have lived most of my adult life in the U.S. After coming to Santa Cruz County, I felt the need to make a difference in the community in some way. It began with my volunteerism with the Foster Grandparent Program back in 1995. This was a stepping stone to getting involved with the Seniors Council. A year later I attended board meetings and by 1997 was nominated and elected as a Board Member to Seniors Council. It gives me pleasure to help; it has taught me to be an open-minded person, accepting others “as its,” and not to be judgmental. I really do enjoy working with people; the Seniors Council Staff is superb and make me feel that I am an integral part of this organization.
MEMBER
CAROL CHILDERS
I am a firm believer in program services for our Elderly in Santa Cruz County. I have very strong ties to the geriatric community. Seniors Council gives me an avenue to help. My experiences include serving as a founding member of the Alzheimer’s Association for its continued good programming, activities directing, caregiver support group facilitating and site management with Meals on wheels.
MEMBER
CHARLES SCOTT
MEMBER
GWEN YEO
MEMBER
JOYCE AOYAGI
I came to Aptos 8 years ago from Los Altos to be close to my son, Ned, who lives in Santa Cruz. I had lost my dear husband a year before, and Ned thought it would be good for me to move here. He said “This is my town Mom, I think you would like it here”. I agreed, and he found me my perfectly lovely condo by the sea. I live in a community, called Beachcliff. I have wonderful neighbors and I can walk every day to look at or go down to the sea. Prior to my retirement my profession was teaching, which I did for many years in an elementary school in Mountain View Ca. I was lucky to teach in a new school (when I started) called Adlai Stevenson School, which was named for the most exceptional Democratic Candidate for the Presidency that we have ever seen prior to this year. I taught 4th and 6th Grades and I loved every minute of it. I never regret my choice of endeavor. I still tutor from time to time, most recently at the San Andreas Community after school program in Watsonville. Since coming to Aptos, I have been very involved in CRTA, (Retired Tchers Assoc.). I am a member of the League of Women Voters of Santa Cruz and am currently the Secretary of that body. Gwen Yeo approached me for the Senior’s Council and I said I would be interested. The Council approved my membership, and I am very pleased to be part of a group whose aim is to assist all seniors in living well , with independence and dignity in their later years, and to function to their fullest capacities. I have had great models in my own parents who were long lived and involved in their communities to the end of their lives. My former home was Canada and that government was most generous and inclined toward their seniors. Since joining this group, I see that the Seniors Council and Commissions in Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties, are also very supportive of their older citizens. So, I am proud to be with this organization, and I learn, all the time, the exceptional resources which are here for us and I am glad to advocate for them.
MEMBER
JANET GLAZER
MEMBER
LUCY SPRONKEN
MEMBER
WENDY KING
I’ve lived 25 years overseas working in community development through
agriculture and natural resource management. My overseas adventure
started in the Peace Corps in Nepal, with the ink barely dry on my
Cornell University School of Agriculture B.S. diploma. Over the
years, I got an M.A. in International Studies; lived in Nepal,
Thailand, Indonesia, and Haiti; and worked for the U.S. Agency for
International Development, the World Wildlife Fund, and as a regional
technical advisor in Asia for CARE International. Nepal is my 'heart'
home; Asia is in my blood. My parents emigrated from mainland China,
settled into their 'heart' home in Manhattan, NYC, and wondered why I
choose to return to live in Asia!
Back in the USA now, I wanted to continue community development work, and shifted my focus to seniors, the fast-growing, vulnerable segment of the American population that cuts across economic and ethnic lines. In 2004, I joined the SJSU Social Gerontology certification program, and for my internship, Gwen Yeo hooked me up with the Seniors Council’s Emergency Preparedness for Seniors project. I am pleased to continue my learning and involvement with the Seniors Council; as a Seniors Council Board member, I want to help build stronger communities where seniors are fully integrated and compassionately cared for.
