21 April 2005

Governor Sebelius announces selection of Kansas delegates to White House Conference on Aging

Governor Kathleen Sebelius today announced the names of the three Kansas delegates for the White House Conference on Aging. Secretary Pamela Johnson-Betts, Kathy Greenlee, and Barbara Ramsdale Withee, represent Kansas at the Conference, which will be held October 23 - 26.

The 2005 conference is entitled, “The Booming Dynamics of Aging: From Awareness to Action.”

“With such critical issues before our aging population, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to send individuals with a history of service and commitment to improving the lives of our seniors,” Governor Sebelius said.

Johnson-Betts, Topeka, was appointed Secretary of the Kansas Department on Aging by Governor Sebelius after serving in state government more than 20 years. She was the executive director for the Kansas African-American Affairs Commission, director of the Office of Government and Community Relations with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and a resource development specialist for the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. Johnson-Betts is also a licensed specialist clinical social worker and a certified public manager.

Greenlee, Lawrence, is the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Her previous experience includes serving as assistant secretary for the Department on Aging and as chief of operations and chief of staff for Governor Sebelius. She has served as general counsel in the Kansas Insurance Department and assistant attorney general in the consumer protection division. A graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law, Greenlee was a member of the United States’ Attorney’s Hate Crimes Task Force from 1999 to 2000 and has served on the Board of Directors of the Women Attorneys Association of Topeka.

Withee, Manhattan, is the AARP state coordinator for long-term care and an active community leader. She has served on the Board of Education for U.S.D. 383, the legislative committee for the Kansas Association of School Boards, and the Chapter II Advisory Board for the Kansas State Board of Education. Currently, she is a member of the Social Services Advisory Board for the City of Manhattan.

In case a delegate is not able to attend, the Governor submitted the names of three alternates: Julie Govert-Walter, executive director of the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging; Billy Q. McCray, former state senator and director of the Office of Minority Business in the Kansas Department of Economic Development; and Jolene Niernberger, director of the senior companion and foster grandparent program at Fort Hays State University.

States were given at least two invitations plus additional state delegates based on the size of the aging population. Kansas was given three delegates.

The first White House Conference on Aging took place in 1961.