4 October 2005
Governor appoints leaders to look out for needs of seniors, families
In a continued effort to make state government more efficient and better meet the needs of Kansans, Governor Kathleen Sebelius today announced she has selected individuals with a range of experience to guide the budget for the Kansas Department on Aging.
“Our goal continues to be ensuring accountability in government. One way to do that is to bring independent leaders together to help guide state government, and it is no different when it comes to the Department on Aging,” Governor Sebelius said. “Many Kansas seniors and their families count on this department and we must continue to ensure we’re meeting their needs.”
The Advisory Council on Aging analyzes the budget and suggests ways to improve the services to seniors provided by the department. Governor Sebelius has appointed six members to the council and reappointed two.
Leo Bracciano, Lawrence, retired in 1995 after serving as a plan administrative superintendent at Flexel, Inc. For thirty years, he worked in various engineering and maintenance, supervision and management positions with E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc. Currently, Bracciano volunteers as a counselor with Kansas Department on Aging’s SHICK program. Bracciano will serve a three-year term.
Rita Griffith, Leawood, is the executive director of the American Stroke Foundation, since 2001. She has 18 years of education and research in the field of gerontology and 37 years of non-profit experience, including management and implementation. Currently, she offers consultation, lectures and training on issues of aging to The Golden Years. Griffith will fulfill a three-year term.
Irv Hoffman, Lenexa, is president of the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature. In his second term as president, Irv works as a liaison with area agencies on aging, state legislators and senior organizations. Hoffman retired after working for the Federal Aviation Administration for 37 years. He managed four airport control tours and worked in several staff positions in quality assurance, planning, programs and training. In addition, he was a Lenexa City Council member from 1990 until 1994. Hoffman will serve a three-year term.
Barbara Hutchinson, Circleville, owns D. Hutchinson Distributing, a provider of generators, cattle feeders and power washers. She has over 40 years of experience working in education, including as elementary school principal before her retirement in 1999. Hutchinson Hutchinson will serve a three-year term.
Lu (Luella) Janzen, Hillsboro, is the chief executive officer for Parkside Homes, Inc. She has twenty years of experience working as an administrator of nursing facilities. Prior to 1975, she was an accountant with Classen’s Bookkeeping Service. She is a member of the Kansas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging and Kansas Advocated for Nursing Home Residents. Janzen was reappointed to serve a three-year term.
John Lehman, Sabetha, has served as the administrator and executive director of Apostolic Christian Home and Retirement Center since 1975. He has served on the boards of KANZA Mental Health in Hiawatha, Sabetha Community Hospital and the Kansas Board of Adult Care Home Administrators. Lehman was reappointed to serve a three-year term.
Belva Jean Taylor, Topeka, is a member of the Silver Haired Legislature. She has attended the White House Conference on Aging and has served on the Shawnee Advocacy Council on Aging. Taylor will serve a three-year term.
Larry Turner, Wichita, is a retired school administrator. He spent 34 years with the Wichita School District in several positions including the director of the campus environment and safety services department. Turner, who completed the “DuPont” Leadership Development Program, trained 215 district administrators to implement a “Fortune 500” time management system. Turner will fulfill a three-year term.
