Minnie Adams is a Wayne State University graduate who retired from the Detroit Public School System. She took a leave from teaching and worked with Investment Diversified Services where she was not only the first black women to work there, but also the first to become a top 10 salesperson. Minnie’s interest in aging came from a desire to help her peers realize the beauty of aging. She considers membership on the EAR an honor and is excited about the new direction the group is taking

Karen Bacsanyi, received her BA in Secondary Education from  Western Michigan University, MSLS Masters in Library Science at Wayne State University and worked as a Public Services Librarian for 37 years at Wayne State University Libraries until her retirement in August 2007.  Currently she is adjunct librarian at Oakland Community College Library part time and as a substitute.  Libraries are great for all ages including the elderly.  I was a caregiver of my parents in their later years.  My mother died of a stroke one month before she reached 90 years of age.  My Dad died at 80 from Alzheimer’s.  I was facing retirement, but became in the IOG’s  Elders Advisors for Research for the past four years.  I  enjoy the annual program on Annual Art of Aging Successfully Conference as well as the working  members of EAR.

LaDean Birkhead-Perez was born and raised in Iowa.  She moved to Michigan to attend Andrews University where she earned her BS degree in education.  She taught art in both public and private schools for many years.  She changed careers and began working for both Wayne County and the State of Michigan  field corrections as a probation officer.  After retirement, LaDean has enrolled at Wayne State University working toward a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree.  Her art work is presently being shown at the Scarab Club. 

Leonara DeVera Bragg was born and raised in Detroit .  After completing high school, she attended  Wayne County Community College to receive her associates degree in business.  Retirement followed a successful career with the Internal Revenue Service.  DeVera was a caregiver for her mother who passed away at the age of 95 in 2008.  She now seeks ways to become more active in community affairs and avoid being sedentary.  DeVera joined the EAR in 2008.

June Clark shortly after retiring from corporate America, June became involved with the IOG. She has been an key member of "The Dream Team" for the ACTIVE Research project here at the IOG.  ACTIVE teaches seniors ways to maintain memory, reasoning and speed of processing. She also serves on the HBEC, the EAR committee and the Board of Visitors.  June  enjoys teaching cancer patients and survivors knitting and crocheting at Karmanos Cancer Institute.

Regina Collins received her bachelor degree at Tennessee State University in Nashville and her MSW at Wayne State University.  She is certified in school social work and gerontology.  She worked for 40 years in the field, beginning her career in Memphis with the office of economic opportunity.  She worked for 15 years in Michigan with medical and school social work.  Regina would like to see the senior community made aware of the services available to them and to see improvement in those services, especially for those who wish to remain their homes.  She would also like to see an improvement in the services for those in nursing homes requiring more skilled care.

Roberta Cottman is designated Professor Emerita at Wayne State University where she served as a faculty member  for 24 years. She is presently serving as an NGO representative to the United Nations on the Commission on the Status of Women on both the aging and the health focus groups. She would like the EAR to recognize the importance of health and well-being, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually through the life-span.

Amy W. Jackson is the wife of  Thomas Jackson, Jr., mother of 3, grandmother of 3 and great grandmother of 3.  She is otherwise known as “Ami" (the TV & Decca recording singer/pianist/ Harpist,  "Ami D" (the Storyteller) and Amy, the Co-Facilitator of the Mich. Parkinson Foundation's Detroit Support Group as well as, the caregiver/carepartner of Thomas Jackson, Jr.  Amy has been an active member of the EAR for the past six years.

Charles Jackson received his graduate certificate in gerontology in 1990 from the IOG. Jackson retired from the City of Detroit Water and Sewage Department as a personnel officer level 1 after 32 years of service. The longtime Detroit resident hopes the EAR will promote the resources available to elders in Detroit.

Tom Jankowski retired as a Fire Chief Officer in Wyandotte where he worked for over 27 years. He currently serves as executive director of the Michigan Association of Fire Fighters and is a long time volunteer of both the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross where he is a CPR instructor trainer. Jankowski thinks the EAR is talking to the right group to determine the right types of projects.

Virgil Jones served four denominations in his position as minister at Wayne State University. Before he retired, he also taught philosophy at Wayne, Oxford, Princeton and Harvard. Jones says we come from an education system that "focuses on earning a living not learning how to live” He believes the EAR serves a dual role - transferring information from the community to the IOG and from the IOG back to the community.

Hector Lopez has served as a therapist and educator for over 15 years. He has firsthand experience in counseling victims of HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and homelessness. He retired early from Henry Ford Health System due to health problems but has volunteered his time to Partners Against Crime Detroit as a community probation worker for the last eight years. Lopez would like to see the EAR utilize all the resources of the members to benefit the elders in the community.

Pat McDonogh, retired from the State Court Administration Office located at Recorder’s Court after 20 years.  Pat’s mother lived to 93 and her aunt to 90.  She was interested in joining the EAR to learn ways to enrich our senior years and  to add her input to the programs. 

Gene Pisha, retired as a Dearborn insurance agency owner seven years ago.  Since then, he has been an active member of several organizations that impact senior issues:  namely, the Michigan AARP, Michigan Peer Review Organization (MPRO) and the Wayne State University Institute of Gerontology.  Gene views the EAR as a pool of talent uniquely suited to the task of initiating positive changes in the lives and well-being of area seniors.

Shiva Sastry graduated from WSU in 1975 with a Ph.D. in biology-entomology. He  worked as an entomologist for nearly 50 years both in the US and India. Sastry is now retired from the Environmental Protection Agency and has taught courses at both Wayne State University and Oakland University. He would like to see the EAR assist the IOG in finding research projects that would improve family relationships.

Betty Welsh is designated Professor Emerita at Wayne State University. She spent much of her career as a teacher and social worker in various cities throughout Michigan. Betty has received numerous awards, including the Heart of Gold.  She utilizes her social work skills in facilitating a variety of programs for Oakwood residents.  Betty serves on the Dearborn Senior Council, chairs Oakwood Volunteer Committee, is a community member of the Oakwood Hospital Institutional Research/Review Committee, and the Board of Visitors here at the IOG.  Welsh would like the EAR to use the available elder wisdom in the group to the fullest potential.

Richard Villwock graduated from University of Toledo with a bachelor degree in chemical engineering.  He accepted a position of engineer at Mid-West Abrasive Co. in Owosso, MI, supervised product development, later he became VP in charge of production as well as product development.  Ten years later moved to Michigan Abrasive Company as VP in charge of development and production. Richard is active as Jr. and Sr. Wardens and Vestry member, Christ Church - Detroit.  Active at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Graphic Arts Council; Adult Learning Institute, Oakland County Community College; Board Member, Southfield Library Association; President, Oakwood Common Resident Association.

Viola Wagner, now, retired, has a BSW and MSW from Wayne State University and a certificate in Gerontology from the IOG. Viola was employed by Catholic Social Services of Oakland County as a Senior Companion Coordinator and at Lutheran Social Services of Michigan's Calvary Center as Director of Social Services.  Viola currently is a William Beaumont volunteer and a member of the EAR.  Viola's vision for seniors is to have the elderly age in place with a healthy and active lifestyle as much as possible.

Janet Whitaker moved to Detroit from Cleveland in 1956.  Her career began as a school secretary for 17 years, then she attended WSU nights for her education degree, taught for 16 years and finally served 7 years as an administrator.  Janet retired in 1997 after 40 years with the Detroit public school system. Janet received her B.S degree from WSU, earned an MA from University of Michigan and returned to WSU for her EdS.  After retirement she was recruited to be a Memory Trainer in the ACTIVE Study.  Through that connection Janet was invited to join the EAR Planning Committee.  Janet says it has been very rewarding to help us grow from a small annual conference at McGregor center to the current very large and successful conference at Greater Grace Church. 

Andrew Wong is a WWII veteran who retired from Michigan Bell Telephone as a district manager technology systems. He served as president for the Detroit Chapter of the Association of Chinese Americans and was the national vice president of public affairs for the organization. Wong was also a council member and president of the Village of Beverly Hills. Since both his parents lived to be 100 years old he understands the needs and problems of aging and would like to extend his advocacy to the EAR.

 Ann Zuzich taught at the Wayne State University College of Nursing where she participated in the formation of the Developmental Disabilities Institute. Her interest in aging blossomed when she was faced with her own aging and the aging of her developmentally disabled son. She is chair of the board of the Citizens for Better Care. Zuzich thinks the EAR is a good way  to provide data about what is happening to aging people today and would like to see the group continue to promote successful aging.