Board of Directors
Susan Vincent
Founding Board Member and Chair of ACAPcommunity Board of Directors
Susan is owner of Home Instead Senior Care office in the Hickory, NC area. As a frequent speaker for community events, sharing her knowledge of various topics affecting seniors and their families, she was especially excited to learn about and endorse ACAP and its mission. As an ACAP-Hickory presenter, sponsor and supporter from its early days, Susan has had an opportunity to see ACAP-Hickory “up close” and from several vantage points. “ACAP provides aging adults and their adult children solutions to their needs in caring for themselves and their parents. Its success lies in the fact that many do not know where to turn when faced with aging issues. ACAP provides a link to the answers.”
Mark Bumgarner
Founding Board Member and Vice Chair of ACAPcommunity Board of Directors
Mark is the Executive Director of Adult Life Programs in the Hickory, NC area. Although Mark has been in this position for three years, the previous 19+ years were with the Catawba County Department of Social Services. As an ACAP-Hickory presenter, Mark has been one of ACAPcommunity’s most ardent supporters from its early days.
Janie Parks Peak
Founding Board Member and Secretary-Treasurer of ACAPcommunity Board of Directors
Janie is Adjunct Professor of Education at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC, having taught English in Gaston County (NC) schools for 37 years, receiving numerous recognitions and serving her community on a variety of boards. “I became a board member of ACAP because I have had the privilege and tremendous responsibility of caring for four older family members and friends. It is a difficult journey at times, and without the help of friends and organizations such as ACAP, it would be impossible to carry out and understand the many joys and challenges that come with such unique and varying situations. We live in a society where most families are not able or equipped to care for loved ones at home, and we depend on the expertise and help of those we trust to help us get the absolute best care for our loved ones. The legal, emotional, physical and mental challenges that must be faced on a daily basis are lightened by knowledge and the caring assistance of such a wonderful organization. I am proud to be a part of this group.”
Melissa Walsh
ACAPcommunity Board of Directors member
As the director of Bayada Home Health Care in Conover, North Carolina, Melissa has lots of experience serving an aging population in that she has been interested in older adults and the aging process since a very young age. She has worked with the adult and geriatric population for 12+ years and has been a strong supporter and encourager of ACAP from its inception. “The principles that ACAP embodies and the programs they offer are a huge asset to our community, and the resources have proven to be most beneficial to the families that attend. I support the vision of ACAPcommunity and look forward to seeing it grow to other regions throughout NC and beyond.”
Advisory Council
ACAPcommunity is honored to have a national team of experts with a variety of educational, professional, and personal experiences to advise us on our curriculum development and expansion:
Sue Friguglietti, D.H.A., M.A., OTR/L, Associate Professor & Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, School of Occupational Therapy, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, NC
Joan D. Guillory, M.Ed., (Retired), Associate Professor Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA
Joan Houghton, Ed.D., Education Program Consultant, Kansas State Department of Education, Kansas City, KS
M. Barbara Laufer, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Towson University, Towson, MD
Amy E. Lorek, Ph.D., Research and Outreach Associate, Penn State’s Center for Healthy Aging, Penn State University, Happy Valley, PA
Michael Lischke, Ed.D., Associate Dean Continuing Medical Education, Director, Northwest Area Health Education Center, and Associate Professor, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Shelley McVicker, JD., (Retired) Chief, Economic Crimes Division, State’s Attorney Office, Frederick County, Frederick, MD
Ed Rosenberg, Ph.D., Professor, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
