Volunteer Instructors

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Robert Abbott has lived in Midlothian since 1993. Since 2014, Robert has hiked the Caminos de Santiago in Spain, France and Portugal covering five different Caminos and over 1,300 miles. He is interested in sharing the background and history of the Camino as well as the personal reasons that one goes on these hikes.

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Adeeb Abed was born in Bir Nabala, Palestine, a small village northwest of Jerusalem. He came to the United States in August 1967 at the age of 14 and attended high school in Richmond before beginning a life of activism. Adeeb has spent many years working with Palestinian and Arab American organizations, including the General Union of Palestinian Students, the Palestine Aid Society, and the Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee. He founded the Arab American Association of Central Virginia and is currently a member of the steering committee of Richmonders for Peace in Israel-Palestine.

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Dori Abell is a passionate senior care liaison with a background in sales and marketing, a license in health and life insurance, and years of experience as a special events director. She is currently working on a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and hopes to open several group homes in the Richmond area at some point in her career. Dori joined the Amada Senior Care team in March of 2022, as Marketing Director and Community Liaison to help spread brand awareness while assisting seniors and their families navigate important aspects of in-home care and finding the right senior living solution through placement assistance. In addition to her role at Amada, Dori acts as Funding and Resource Specialist for Long-Term Care Consultants LLC which focuses on helping seniors understand long-term care insurance policies and claims management. Outside of work, Dori sits on the board for Pink Chair Project RVA as Director of Special Events and oversees their fundraising efforts. Her hobbies include reading, cooking, hiking, playing tennis and pickleball, and spending time with family and friends. Dori is deeply rooted in her Christian faith, and her mission in life is to be a beacon of God’s light and love.

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Ramzi Aboujaoude is an award-winning, board-certified urogynecologist and OB/GYN, specializing in urinary incontinence and pelvic floor disorders at the Urogynecology Center at Virginia Physicians for Women. Dr. Aboujaoude is passionate about improving women’s quality of life and helping guide them toward individualized treatment options. He is highly regarded in the Richmond community.

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Melissa Ackley LCSW, is Prevention Services Manager at Chesterfield Mental Health Support Services and co-chair of the Chesterfield Suicide Awareness and Prevention Coalition.

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Ebony Ali works as a care manager at Genworth. She is married with three sons and loves spending as much time as possible with her family. Ebony was introduced to macramé by her coworker, Shawn, and began assisting her with classes in 2022. Macramé has been a great hobby for providing relaxation and creative expression, especially as she has never considered herself to be particularly artistic. Ebony enjoys seeing the unique and beautiful designs created by the class’s attendees and engaging in interesting conversations with participants.

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Mary Kay Anderson has always loved crafting and has taught scrapbooking for 20 years. Some of her other interests include cross stitch, embroidery, card making, diamond art, sewing, cartonnage, jewelry making, and making things with the Cricut, but what she enjoys most is doing projects with friends. Mary Kay has been an LLI member since 2024.

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Emme Anderson-Simon is an Energy Intuitive, an Energy Codes Facilitator, and an Integrative Love Life Coach. Emme empowers women to transform their lives from the inside out by changing their energy and restoring their true nature of radiant health, wholeness, love, and happiness. Her intention is to see the entire planetary family living in health, wholeness, and a consciousness of life more abundant.

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Danny Arkin is all about adventures, most of which are part of the classes he teaches at LLI. Students are bound to hear stories and jokes relating to landscape architecture, non-profits, construction, building and flying his own airplane, tractoring, motorcycling, welding art, training velociraptors, and the use of technology of all flavors. He is best known as a storytelling technology guru, having presented since the early 1980s, cutting edge topics at conferences and in classrooms across the country, encouraging adult learners on anything and everything technology. Nowadays, he splits his energy between taming the outdoor spaces on his three-acre property in Chester and teaching an ever-growing collection of classes, always packed with valuable information sandwiched between a healthy amount of humor and sarcasm. Danny has been an LLI member since 2018.

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Cindy Arnold is a librarian at the Chesterfield Public Library Midlothian branch. She has a masters in Library Science from Louisiana State University and has worked as a librarian since 2001 both in public and school libraries. Cindy enjoys assisting people as they pursue their learning goals. She has lived in Midlothian since 2003 and likes exploring all that Virginia has to offer.

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Brian Austin PhD, is a retired professor of psychology who, earlier in his career, practiced as a clinical psychologist. His passion for studio art blossomed upon becoming a member of LLI. Brian looks forward to sharing his passion for creative expression with others in the classroom. He can be reached at 804-378-8004 or at baustinphd@verizon.net.

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Stephanie Balarzs Douglas was born in Chesterfield County and is a longtime Powhatan resident who has been scrapbooking and taking pictures since the days of box cameras! She runs her own small business through the direct sales company, Creative Memories. Stephanie has been an independent advisor for over 20 years and has been ranked in the top one percent of her company for the last seven years in a row. She understands the beauty of sharing, remembering and cherishing life’s special moments with family and friends through pictures and scrapbooks.

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Barbara Banyasz began studying piano at age eight at Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Virginia. She put piano on the back burner while raising her family and rekindled her enthusiasm for music and the piano once her children went to college. Along with a neighbor, Barbara started the "Hausmusik" social group where adults of all skill levels come together to play any instrument to share in the enjoyment of music.

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Diane Barbour has been a member of LLI since 2010. Growing up in New Jersey, she enjoyed drawing and painting as a hobby, but never took any art classes. When she retired from her job as a chief information officer, she enrolled in art classes at LLI and the VMFA Studio School. Diane has taken art classes with many of the LLI art instructors. She enjoys painting in oil and watercolor, particularly birds and animals.

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Erin Barr is Chesterfield's Commonwealth's Attorney. In 2000, she began her career as a prosecutor in the Chesterfield County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office where she was promoted to Deputy in 2018 and took office as the elected Commonwealth’s Attorney on January 1, 2024. Most of her career has been spent prosecuting cases that originate out of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, and that passion led her to the Colonial Heights Commonwealth Attorney’s Office in May 2000 for a little over three years. Erin has been the recipient of the Duvall Distinguished JDR Prosecutor Award from the Virginia Association of Commonwealth’s Attorneys, the Unsung Heroes Award from the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, and a Community Recognition and Appreciation Award from the Chesterfield County Police Department. She is originally from Amherst, Virginia, attended Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, and completed her law degree at the University of Richmond. She lives in Chesterfield County with her family.

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Joanne Barreca joined LLI in 2006, shortly after moving to the Richmond area from Northern Virginia. She retired after a more than 30-year career with the federal government working in logistics, strategic planning, and project management in the DC area and Huntsville, Alabama. In retirement, she has focused on volunteering, including mentoring and being active in her churches. Joanne is the current president of the Richmond Symphony league, which among other things, sponsors the Designer House every other year to raise funds for the Richmond Symphony. She loves listening to music, singing, and playing the piano and is happy to share this passion with others.

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Charles Barron is a retired US Army Officer, holds a BS in Business Administration from Jacksonville State University and an MS in Logistics Management from Florida Institution of Technology. He also holds a certificate for teaching English as a second language. Charles has 10 years of experience working with and training members of the Saudi Arabian military in logistics and cultural awareness. As a United States military contractor, working in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, he taught American workers and third country nationals (TCNs) Cultural Awareness, simple Arabic script (Arabic letters, Arabic phonetics recognizing/reading English words written in Arabic Script) and most useful basic spoken Arabic words and phrases.

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Dave Bass PT, DPT, has over two decades of experience in orthopedics and has developed a unique approach to the evaluation and treatment of pain. Dr. Bass specializes in treating non-traumatic pain when there is no identifiable moment or event that immediately caused it. Education is the cornerstone of his practice, and he helps patients understand what’s causing their pain and how to effectively treat it in the comfort of their own home. He enjoys teaching and is excited to help demystify pain and orthopedics and to make it easily understandable for everyone.

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Reamey Belski is a certified End of Life Doula (EOLD) and Advanced Care Consultant with Crossover Doula Services. She received her EOLD training through Doulagivers Institute and is a Qualified Advance Directive Facilitator through the VA Department of Health. She holds a bachelor's in hospitality management from Johnson & Wales University. Reamey’s work with Crossover Doula Services began when she helped care for her aging grandmother during the last few years of her life. Crossover Doula Services allows her the platform to provide tailored support to those in her community who are at the end of life or who want to plan for the future. From legacy projects to vigil planning, to post-death bereavement support, she is committed to creating a peaceful and dignified experience for those navigating this profound transition, and a comforting space for those left behind. She works with clients in the greater Richmond area, and often hosts public events and Death Cafes focused on positive end of life conversations and the importance of planning. A Richmond native, Reamey enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking the Buttermilk trail, and exploring new restaurants in the city. She is a mom to two black rescue cats and a dog.

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John Bennett PhD, was an engineering faculty member at the University of Connecticut for 29 years and was dedicated to helping students prepare for success in engineering employment. This meant that students were able to address the situations and opportunities that yielded outcomes that improved people’s lives. He has lived in Virginia since 2016 and has offered classes at the Lifelong Learning Institute since 2020.

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Rita Bentley has been knitting since 2021 and has done various handwork.

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Millie Bishop has been the Revenue Recovery Manager with Chesterfield Fire and EMS for nine years. She was a prior medic and has an accounting degree. Millie has a passion to help people.

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Sorana Blackfoot moved to the U.S. from Romania in 2002 and built a successful career in the financial industry to make it worth the sacrifice of uprooting herself. During her 15-year career in finance, she learned that a lot of women are uncomfortable with their finances and therefore, are left in a very precarious situation if/when they are alone due to divorce or widowhood. In January 2018, Sorana published her first Amazon best-seller, “New World, New Dreams: My Money Story,” sharing the money lessons she learned by living on two continents and through three different regimes. Sorana is a prosperity mentor who teaches women to create, preserve, and transfer their wealth by building better relationships with their money. She put this passion into a second best-seller, “Money Mindset Makeover” – a 21-day challenge to help people improve their understanding of how money really works.

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Donna Blackwell was raised in Northern Virginia and has lived her life advocating for civil and human rights. She was a co-founder of Black Women United for Action, a NAACP Youth leader, and a board member for the Human Rights Commission, the Human Relations Council, and the Fairfax History Commission. Before moving to Chesterfield, Donna was the administrative assistant and research analyst for Fairfax Legal Aid and Bar Association. An LLI member since 2016, she has been the instructor of Black Lives Matter course and is serving as Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

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Edward Blackwell has taught a variety of subjects for over thirty years. Much of his time was with Chesterfield County Public Schools, but he has also worked with Richmond City Public Schools, VCU and a local private school. Mr. Blackwell has a B.A. and M.A. in English, as well as a large concentration of courses in history and education. He has taught on middle, secondary, and collegiate levels, and his courses have included English, writing, history, civics and economics, as well as alternative education. He is keenly interested in the English Renaissance and writes sonnets, but he also enjoys helping others with prose writing techniques. Mr. Blackwell loves studying and lecturing about the American Civil War. When teaching social sciences, he believes it is essential to combine the development of U.S. government with its resulting historical effects.

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Reed Bohn (he/they) is an LGBTQ+, anti-violence, and reproductive justice advocate with over 15 years of community experience. He is currently an elder justice project manager at the Elder Justice Learning and Research Hub at VCU’s Virginia Center on Aging.

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Miller Bowe is a Museum Educator for Preservation Virginia's historic sites and interprets 18th and 19th century social, political, and legal history at the John Marshall House and Patrick Henry's Scotchtown. Miller is a gifted storyteller and works to emphasize contemporary connections to the complex histories and legacies he interprets. He attended Christopher Newport University, earning degrees in history and museum studies.

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Mary Bradstock is a native Virginian—born in Richmond and raised in Chesterfield County. She is a member of The Country Style Dancers of Richmond and has been dancing at LLI since 2009 and teaching since 2012.

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Tracey Brooks was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps Reserves. She has various Aerobics and Fitness Association of America Group Exercise & Personal Trainer Certifications, including Kickboxing (IFTA), Zumba and Yoga. Tracey has been teaching and training since 2002. She is energetic and knowledgeable! She also has the ability to motivate and inspire clients regardless of physical fitness level and encourages habits that are life changing.

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Sherella Brown is a certified Jazzercise fitness instructor who specializes in combining dance and exercise in her work with active adults.

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Annabelle Bugay is the Coordinator of Volunteer Recruitment, Retention, and Recognition at Feed More. Previously, Annabelle worked for nonprofits in Colorado and New York City, providing immediate relief services to those experiencing homelessness and food scarcity. Annabelle is thrilled to bring her passion for community service to her hometown of Richmond through Feed More’s extensive mission of hunger relief. She especially loves engaging with her local community and inviting others to the table at Feed More – whether that’s through involvement with volunteer programs or sharing information about the organization’s history, mission, and services.

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John Byrd is an award-winning ventriloquist and has been performing as a ventriloquist in the Richmond area for the past 25 years. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and received a master’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He retired from the Commonwealth of Virginia with 38 years of service. He also retired from the Army Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel.

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Nelson Calisch is a former mental health clinician for the Henrico County Community Services Board who retired in 2017 after 30 years of service. Since his first week in retirement, he has attended history and political science classes at VCU. Quite accidentally, he developed an interest in FDR's New Deal, when he purchased a book on New Deal art, while visiting Frank Lloyd Wright's "Falling Waters" in Mill Run Pennsylvania. Nelson has photographed several New Deal murals throughout the mid-Atlantic and has read about many intangibles from that period that are in existence today and continue to impact our lives.

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Ken Carlson is a former electrical engineer with an enthusiasm for music, the dramatic arts, and group participation. He joined LLI in 2019 and enjoys playing tuba and string bass with several bands and ensembles, including the LLI Lifelong Musicians group.

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J. Diane Carter is an experienced bridge player and encourages people who have not been regular players to join the fun bridge group. She has been an LLI member since 2017.

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Linda Caruthers CSA, LTCP, is the founder and CEO of Long-Term Care Consultants, Inc., Richmond’s only dedicated long-term care insurance agency providing long-term care planning and caregiver support resources to individuals and employer groups. She has specialized in long-term care insurance since 2000 and earned the Long-Term Care Professional (LTCP) designation from America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) in 2005 and the Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) designation from the Society of Certified Senior Advisors in 2006.

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Joseph Casey has been the Chesterfield County Administrator since July 2016. Dr. Casey holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Richmond, a master’s degree in public administration and a doctorate in Public Policy and Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a certified public accountant who started his career with KPMG accounting firm. Dr. Casey also participates in many community projects and mission-based work through his church. He and his wife, Suzanne, have three grown sons.

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Keith Chambers is a lifelong resident of Chesterfield County and has worked for Chesterfield Fire and EMS for over three decades where he currently serves as the Assistant Chief of Community Risk Reduction. In this position, he provides strategic oversight and daily management of the Fire Marshal's Office, Chesterfield County Emergency Management, and Public Information where they use engineering, education, enforcement, economic incentives, and emergency response to plan, mitigate, respond to, and recover from all types of emergency events and natural or man-made disasters. Keith has been enjoying the outdoors with his wife, Jane, since 1989.

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Dianne Childress was born in Lafayette, Alabama, raised in Baltimore, Maryland, and has lived in several other states since. She has always had a passion for music and dance, crediting music for helping her to get her life back after years spent struggling with illness. For twenty-four years Dianne taught line dancing in Pennsylvania, where she also taught “Music and Movement.” Dianne cherishes the day she joined LLI in 2024.

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Aisling Clardy has a background in human rights and is the project manager of two elder justice innovation grants led by the Virginia Center on Aging at VCU’s Elder Justice Learning and Research Hub; Virginia Helping Elders Access Resources (HEAR) and the Greater Richmond Elder Justice Shelter Initiative.

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Anne Clendenin is a member of LLI who enjoys dancing and has been playing Spades for years. She wants to continue sharing her love for Spades with other members at LLI!

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Poly Cline has been teaching watercolor at LLI since 2020. A Texas transplant, she is an avid artist, gardener, and cook.

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Barbara Clinedinst completed high school in Pelham, Georgia in 1961. Afterwards, she was awarded a scholarship, majored in history, and minored in education and physical education at Berry College outside of Rome, Georgia. In 1969, Barbara, her son, and her husband moved to her husband’s home state of Virginia where they had a daughter and another son. For twenty-two years Barbara taught in Augusta County, ending her teaching career at Peumansend Creek Regional Jail in 2008. She has been a chair volleyball player since the mid-2010s and is excited to be part of a sport that is rapidly growing in popularity with older adults. Barbara has been an LLI member since 2023

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Brie Coates graduated with her BSN from Radford University and has dedicated her career to intensive care and injury prevention. She spent fourteen years in the Medical Surgical Trauma ICU and two years in the Medical Surgical Trauma and Burn ICU, where she served as a clinical coordinator. In October 2022, Brie shifted her focus to injury prevention. With a passion for trauma and burn care and as a certified critical care and trauma nurse, she believes that educating the community can prevent many life-threatening injuries, and she is dedicated to making a difference by empowering others with the knowledge to avoid preventable trauma.

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Susan Coffey has been a member of LLI since 2009 and has taught various communication-type courses over the years. She has a doctorate in Communication Studies from UVA. She loves taking art and craft classes, including jewelry making, oil painting, watercolors, acrylics, and sketching.

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Carol Colacurcio is a sound practitioner and classically trained musician who has certifications in "The Use of Cross-Cultural Sacred Music for Therapeutic Applications" and "Music in Hospice." She has worked with people in hospice and with groups for bereavement, abuse, and suicide, as well as presented on sound healing at conferences nationally. Some of her methods include breathing techniques, toning, and experiential listening with the results of helping to relieve stress, pain, and depression, as well as stabilizing body rhythms and improving concentration, focus, and motivation.

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Richard Commander earned his MS in chemical engineering from VA Tech in 1965. In 2001, he retired after 30 years of working as a chemical engineer at Hercules. Dick has been a resident of Chesterfield County (Enon) since 1979 and has served as Chairman of the Board for the Hopewell Food Pantry for 15 years. He has 35 years of experience making presentations on budgeting and is currently presenting for the Caritas Works Program. He has also presented various classes in Armstrong HS, as well as the Henrico County and Chesterfield County adult night school. Dick’s favorite topics to teach are money management and self-esteem, and his hobby is eBay.

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Kate Conn joined LLI in 2018 after retiring from Chesterfield County Public Schools. She has many interests and hobbies. Kate gets much joy from playing banjo, autoharp, banjo uke, and the "Limberjack" with the Company's Coming band. She loves to sing harmony.

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Lauren Cook is a nurse practitioner at Virginia Physicians for Women. She is passionate about helping women through every stage of life, providing better clinical care, as well as patient education and counseling. An L.C. Bird graduate, Lauren hails from Chester, Virginia. She met her husband at Shenandoah University in Winchester where they were both college athletes (softball and football). During graduate school at the University of Alabama Birmingham, she earned a dual degree in Women’s Health and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care and is board-certified as a nurse practitioner in both fields. While completing her graduate studies, Lauren worked several clinical rotations with VPFW and realized that working there would be a dream come true. Lauren now sees patients at VPFW’s Koger Center and Prince George offices, and she loves working with her more seasoned patients!

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Claude Cooper was a professional engineer for 40 years, working for the state of Virginia, Fairfax County, and the city of Richmond. He earned a BS in civil engineering and a MS in engineering management. His experience was primarily in administering and enforcing building codes and land development ordinances and regulations. He is a Midlothian resident and has been an LLI member since 2019.

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Luke Coukos was a pharmacist for 50 years and has helped many people through their struggle to understand their health issues. He is honored to help guide a class which shows Jesus' humanity and love for everyone.

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Roy Dahlquist recently retired from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership in 2015. He was an economic advisor to Governors Kaine, McDonnell and McAuliffe on issues related to Asian business opportunities and challenges, serving as Managing Director, International Business Development - Asia. He met with high level government and business leaders throughout Asia. Roy first retired from Alcoa/Reynolds Metals Company in 2006 with 30 years of global and domestic service. He was Managing Director of Food Packaging Operations in China and Director of International Business Development for the Food Packaging Division, overseeing operations worldwide. He traveled to over 60 different countries developing global business relationships and opportunities. He met with international, federal, state and local government officials including governors and federal agency heads. Roy currently serves as Vice President of the Madison Village Homeowners Association located in Charter Colony and serves on the Board of Directors for the Salisbury Country Club Senior Men’s Association. He has a BS degree from Saint Joseph University in Philadelphia and has been an LLI member since 2016.

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Billie Darlington is a Mobility Coordinator for Chesterfield County. A mother of three and a grandmother of nine, Billie loves helping the community through her job. Knowing that she’s helping people makes her work rewarding!

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Cece D'Arville serves as the Education Coordinator at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, alongside a talented group of educators and docents that provide in-person and virtual student programs, teacher outreach, and community-based programming year-round. Growing up in Virginia sparked her interest in history from a young age, and she loves talking about the rich and complex history of her home state with museum visitors. She is passionate about public history and helping people understand how landscapes and public art shape historic narratives.

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Beverly Davidson is a retired elementary school teacher and an avid crafter who has dabbled in many different mediums over the years. While continuing to take classes herself, Bev has taught crafts to other adults and children and has participated in craft shows as a vendor. She has been an LLI member since 2019.

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James Davidson is a Vice President of Investments for Davenport & Company and Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner with more than 18 years of industry experience. He currently serves as an Ex-Officio member on the LLI Board of Directors and manages the LLI Endowment Fund.

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Susan Davies is helping out in the oil painting workshop. She has been painting for five years and is still a rookie but loves the fun of it. She taught elementary school in three states for 40 years before retiring and joining LLI in 2017.

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Teresa Day has been dancing ballroom socially for more than 15 years, taking lessons all the while to improve her ability to dance the many American School smooth and rhythm dances popular in Richmond. Teresa enjoys helping others learn this fun way to sharpen physical, mental, and social skills all at once. She has been an LLI member since 2021.

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Jennifer DeRusha has been a member of LLI since 2015 and has 38 years of teaching experience including Chesterfield Adult Education, Allbrands, Collegiate Cougar after-school program for children, and the YMCA. She was past president, vice president, secretary and founding member of Hospitality Quilters Chapter, Richmond Quilters Guild. Jennifer is a member of and Membership Chairman of the Richmond Central VA Chapter of the American Sewing Guild. She has 50 years of sewing experience, including her own line of reversible clothing for children, has completed 100+ quilts and featured three quilt shows of her own work. Jennifer is a juried artist in watercolor, colored pencil, pastel and mixed media, and is a member of Bon Air Artist Association as well as the MidAtlantic Pastel Society. She graduated from VCU in 1969 with a degree in science and has been tap dancing at LLI for four years.

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Kimberley Dickerson retired in 2023 from Chesterfield County, where she was an elementary school assistant principal. Since then, she started Kreative Gifts by S&K. Kimberley loves making seasonal and sports-themed items and sharing her creations with others. In her free time, she enjoys playing co-ed softball, hiking, and spending time with her grands.

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Selena Donley is originally from Lima in the great state of Ohio but has lived all over the world because of her husband, Jackson's military career. With his duty coming to an end, the couple decided to make the permanent move to Virginia so they could finally plant some roots and establish a civilian life together. With a BS in Healthcare Administration and a background in volunteering with seniors, Selena saw Amada Senior Care as a great fit for her to grow her career in eldercare. In her own words, she shares: "I have such a passion for helping seniors that it almost feels like second nature for me to be working in this position!"

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Shawn Doran is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones in Midlothian. He focuses on helping people with navigating investments, saving on taxes, important estate planning items, long term care planning, creating income in retirement, and making sure they have a solid plan. Shawn and his wife, Lisa, enjoy spending their free time with their seven children, playing sports and enjoying the outdoors.

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Kyndall Drumheller has been employed in various roles by the Virginia War Memorial since April 2012 and currently serves as the Assistant Director of Education. She received her BA in History from Randolph-Macon College and her MA in American History from Liberty University. While in graduate school, she completed an education internship at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia, where she conducted tours and summer camp programs, and performed research on the involvement of African Americans on D-Day. Kyndall recently served on the Board of the Greater Richmond Association for Volunteer Administration as Treasurer. Currently, she is working on the Virginia War Memorial’s Veterans Database - a massive project that locates photographs and information on the nearly 12,000 Virginians who have been killed in action from World War II to the Persian Gulf War.

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Diane Drummond has been an LLI member since 2009. She began making headbands, hair bows and jewelry for her beautiful granddaughter and has continued adding to her repertoire of craft skills, which she happily shares with her fellow LLI members in a variety of classes. Diane is especially interested in early settlers and Indian crafts used in everyday living.

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Ernest Dube was drafted out of high school, received leadership prep training with the military, and completed his schooling as a medical lab technician. While in Vietnam, he decided he was not going to make the military a career. After his service ended, he worked for sixteen years at a laboratory in Rhode Island before moving to Virginia, where he was hired at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. Ernest spent twenty-six years at the hospital specializing in phlebotomy in the lab because he preferred working more directly with patients. In 2016, he retired, was introduced to chair volleyball, and has been playing regularly ever since - sometimes up to four or five times a week! He has studied the rules and regulations for play and looks forward to teaching others.

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Kimberly Felder has decades of experience as a distinguished hearing instrument specialist and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her practice. Her specialization in adult testing, fitting, counseling, programming, follow-ups, and maintaining sound quality is unparalleled. This enables her to help patients find the best solutions for their hearing needs and assures a customized and effective experience. Kimberly works to understand each patient’s history and goals and focuses on utilizing innovative technologies that ensure maintained connectivity, even in challenging environments. She believes that hearing is essential as it impacts numerous facets of life including helping with balance and cognitive ability and supporting mental health by helping individuals stay engaged with their families and communities. This is especially important as dementia risk increases with the level of hearing loss an individual sustains. Kimberly has been an LLI member since 2022.

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Bob Ferguson has been an active member of LLI since 2008 and has served on the LLI Board of Directors since 2015. He has a Ph.D. in Chemistry and worked at NIH before moving to Richmond. For 38 years he worked in various capacities at Philip Morris/Altria prior to retiring in 2012. Bob has varied interests including Science, History, Literature, and Theater. He has performed with LLI’s Readers Theater group, Bifocals, Huguenot Community Players, and River City Community Players. He writes plays (with Vic Thompson) and acts with LLI’s own Young at Heart Actors (YAHA).

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Kim Fisher is a native of upstate New York and received her master’s degree from the University at Buffalo. Kim has been practicing audiology in Richmond since 2000 and has a special interest in hearing aids and tinnitus. She is licensed by the state of Virginia as an audiologist and as a hearing aid specialist. Kim is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. She is married and enjoys spending her free time with her two daughters.

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Catherine Fitzgerald Wyatt is the Education and Outreach Manager at the Library of Virginia, where she is responsible for the development, coordination, and implementation of educational resources and public programming, including: the Library’s online educational resources for K-12 students, teachers, and the general public; public programming aimed at various audiences over in-person and distance learning platforms; and grant-funded programming. She also develops and maintains the department’s social media presence and website and promotes the Library’s resources at state and national conferences. Catherine holds a MA and is ABD in history from Rice University. She has knowledge of, and experience in, the field of history and humanities education, especially for K-12 students, teachers, life-long learners, and the public. Prior to coming to the Library of Virginia, she served as a history instructor at Rice University, and she worked in the public history field at Drayton Hall (SC), Fort Sumter National Monument (SC), and Henricus Historical Park (VA).

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Marti Franks loves Watercolors! She has been painting since 1997, starting out with Ellie Cox and continuing with Sarah Hoyle, Chris Wynn, and Susan Stuller. She has participated in many workshops with nationally known artists, including John Salamien, Mary Whyte, Ted Andrews, Alvaro Cassinett, Tony Van Hassett, Frank Webb, and Jean Spicer. Marti is a past president of the Bon Air Artists Association and has served as a co-chair of its events, Art Affair and Artful Healing. She exhibits at Crossroads Art Center and at various venues with the Bon Air Artist Association.

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Martha Frickert is retired and now serving as community advocate on several boards. She previously served as a member and president on the LLI Board of Directors.

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Marc Friedlander is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) helping families navigate the difficult assisted living and memory care arenas. He has had personal experiences with both sides of his family and could have used an advocate during the difficult decision-making process. Marc is a member of the Richmond Senior Network. He has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from The George Washington University and an MBA from Montclair State University. Marc enjoys living in the beautiful Richmond area with his wife and two kids. In his spare time, he is on the board of his neighborhood swim team.

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Amma Gatty is the Founder and Executive Director of Culture Encounters, a nonprofit dedicated to bridging cultural gaps through thoughtfully curated, immersive experiences. Born in Ghana, Amma’s rich cultural heritage and migration to the United States in the early 2000s have deeply shaped her mission. She holds a bachelor's degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, an MBA from Strayer University, and a Graduate Certificate in Family Life Education from North Carolina State University. Since 2015, Amma has worked in the nonprofit sector and is a lifelong learner who actively engages in cohorts, webinars, and audiobooks. Most importantly, she is Fred's wife, the mother of Aseye and Freddy, and a loving daughter, sister, and friend.

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Carolyn Goble has been an LLI member since 2019 and enjoys playing games and cycling.

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Arthur Goldberg is a semi-retired CPA from the Bronx who moved to Virginia after living and working in Miami for 40 years. He and his wife, Arlene, enjoy the scenery and climate in Virginia and the friendly people they’ve met at LLI. Arthur plays Bingo, Mah Jongg, and Hand and Foot, and he excels at jigsaw puzzles. He has been an LLI member since 2021.

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Don Golladay is from Woodstock in the Shenandoah Valley. As a child, his mother took him to church where he was exposed to gospel music and joined the choir. At home, he sang harmony to the radio and Lawrence Welk. When his friend learned to play the banjo, Don bought a guitar, and they formed a duo playing the local “hot spots.” In high school, Don was in the concert band, chorus, and acapella group, which formalized his musical skills. Afterwards, he moved to Richmond where he earned a degree in mathematics and was hired by a local private school where he taught math and coached football and lacrosse. Don was invited to join a bluegrass/gospel group where he learned to play upright bass. Since then, Don has been in various groups and entertained folks with bluegrass, old time, folk, and Americana music. He enjoys singing and playing bass, guitar, and mandolin for anyone who is willing to listen.

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Bill Good participated in Civil War reenactments for 10 years as an infantryman and in the ambulance corps. He has a wealth of knowledge about the Civil War. He has been a member of LLI since 2007 and enjoys history, genealogy and woodcarving.

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Cynthia Graunke has been a member of LLI since she moved to Midlothian in 2014. She serves as a Road Scholar Ambassador and an officer in a local chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE.)

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Ryan Greenlee CFP®, is the Chief Operations Officer and Chief Compliance Officer for Barrett Capital Management, LLC. Ryan brings over 20 years of Fortune 500 experience to Barrett Capital and is able to draw from a diverse background in strategy, finance, technology, compliance, risk management, and operations. Since joining Barret Capital in 2022, he has enjoyed putting his diverse skillset to work, ensuring compliance, operational efficiency, and sound strategies to guide individuals and families toward their life goals. Ryan holds a BS in Communications from James Madison University, an MS in Management of Information Systems from University of Virginia, and is a CFP® Professional. Before joining Barrett Capital, Ryan worked for several Fortune 500 companies including GE Financial Assurance (now Genworth Financial) and McKesson Medical-Surgical. Ryan has experience with senior needs planning, Medicare supplement programs, long-term care insurance, life insurance, annuities, employee benefit planning, and ERISA regulations.

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Mark Grubbs is originally from and grew up in Richmond, VA. He has lived in several states and in South Korea. He has a B.S. in Aerospace and Ocean Engineering from Virginia Tech, and an M.A. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Mark has worked with computers for the last 35+ years in several occupations: engineering, aircraft piloting, teaching in universities abroad, and in vocational ministry. In 2016, he began his own business, Mark’s Help LLC, in which he helps people in their homes with their technology, mostly computers and smart phones. Mark began teaching at LLI in 2015 and hopes to continue into the foreseeable future.

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Sabrina Guerin thinks being financially confident starts with having the right skills and tools to make smart financial decisions. With over seven years of financial education experience, Sabrina is passionate about enriching lives in her community by giving people the support they need to reach their financial goals. Sabrina is a certified financial counselor and holds her MBA from the College of William and Mary. In her spare time, Sabrina loves giving back to her alma mater and currently serves as President on the SPCS Alumni Association Board at the University of Richmond.

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Mary Gutberlet M.Ed., has been interested in meditative and positive energy practices for physical and spiritual health since she was in graduate school. She attended Tai Chi classes elsewhere in the Richmond area in the late 1990s. After retiring, she joined LLI in 2015, primarily because Tai Chi instruction was offered. She has been a student in Damir Strmel's Tai Chi classes since the Fall of 2016. Mary has bachelor's and master's degrees in general and special education. During her 37.5 years in Education, she taught in two Virginia public school divisions as well as in the Hospital Education Program at what is now known as Children's Hospital at VCU. She eventually became an outpatient Educational Consultant. In this role, she served as an advocate for her patients and as the liaison between various medical teams and the school teams of her patients. Mary enjoys going to museums, plays, concerts, and movies. She likes to travel, is an avid reader, loves the beach and the mountains, and very much enjoys walking and hiking.

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Phyllis Harris is a social ballroom dance instructor in the American Style. Throughout her 30+ year career, Phyllis has taught in Richmond, Colonial Heights, Williamsburg, and Virginia Beach. Working with people of all ages, from middle school children and teens, to seniors who are "young at heart," and every age in between, she truly enjoys helping folks discover the many benefits of social dancing.

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Jess Harshbarger is the branch manager of Chesterfield County Public Library’s Midlothian location. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mary Washington and a Master of Library and Information Science from Kent State University. She has worked in public libraries since 2006, has worked at Chesterfield County Public Library since 2012, and has been the branch manager of Midlothian Library since 2015. She lives in Brandermill with her husband, two children and three dogs. In her free time, she enjoys listening to live music, acrylic painting, and reading.

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Ted Heck grew up in Richmond, VA and graduated from Open High in the mid-1980s. His master’s thesis was on services for victims of hate crimes against LGBTQ people. This led him to help found the Virginia Anti-Violence Project where he served on the board as treasurer and then president. Ted has volunteered with many other organizations, including the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, and Side by Side. He works in HIV prevention at the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), where he serves as Transgender Health Services Specialist. He often facilitates the Richmond Transformers transmasculine support group as a peer member. Finally, Ted is a Quaker who is active in Richmond Friends Meeting. He and his spouse live in the Blackwell section of Richmond with their two cats. For this workshop, he is NOT representing VDH.

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Bernard Henderson is the President Emeritus and Funeral Celebrant for Woody and Nelsen Funeral Homes. He worked as Legislative Assistant in the Virginia General Assembly; Assistant Tally Clerk of the U. S. House of Representatives; Assistant to the Commissioners of the Virginia State Corporation Commission; Administrator for the Virginia Bureau of Insurance; director of the Virginia Department of Commerce and the Virginia Department of Health Professions; and Senior Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth with Cabinet-rank during the Warner and Kaine administrations. He serves on the boards of the Shepherd’s Center of Richmond, the Capital Area Agency on Aging, and the Virginia Holocaust Museum. Bernie was educated at Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond, Old Dominion University, Loewen University, and Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Bernie and his wife, Marie, have two daughters and four grandchildren.

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Drew Herman has practiced Tai Chi for more than 30 years. His principal teachers include first generation disciples of Master Cheng Man-ching (Yang lineage). He has taught Tai Chi for 20 years, emphasizing the traditional martial arts roots and applications, including sword, push hands, self-defense and post standing (zhan zhuang). Drew also holds a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo.

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Shawn Hicks works for Genworth Financial on Care Management initiatives. Shawn has her Masters in Rehab Counseling. She is also a wife and mom to two young girls. In her free time, she enjoys practicing the art of macrame. Shawn has made gorgeous macrame pieces to include wall hangings and curtains. She is excited about this class to blend her love of working with older adults and macrame.

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Diana Hinman has a lifelong love of the arts. She loves experimenting with all mediums, and particularly loves colored pencils. Her first colored pencil class was taught by Laura Evans and she has since taken LLI Art classes led by Brian Austin, Hal Cauthen, Marti Franks, Bev Perdue, Patrice Reese, Sandy Schimmel Gold, and others. She has been a member of LLI since 2015 and enjoys traveling, hiking, camping, gardening, and playing with her grandkids.

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Deb Hood is a retired professor from John Tyler Community College (now Brightpoint) where she taught Information Technology and Mathematics classes in person and online for 22 years. She has an MA in Counseling and Guidance from Western Kentucky University and an MS in Computer Technology in Education from Nova Southeastern University. Deb’s favorite pastimes are reading banned books and ballroom dancing with her husband, Mike Recant.

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Beckey Huddleston is a trauma-informed advocate with over three decades of experience guiding families in navigating complex legal and housing systems. She has dedicated her career to serving the community by empowering people with tools to build strength and foster independence. She’s been married to her best friend, who is a Navy veteran, for nearly 30 years and is the mother to one adult son. Beckey now shares her passion for helping families with her husband through his financial services practice as an independent insurance agent.

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Robin Hulbert PhD, has been a Master Gardener with Chesterfield County since 2013. She achieved this goal after she retired from 30 years of service with the Virginia Department of Corrections, where she served as the Chief Psychologist for all adult facilities and Probation and Parole Districts within the Department. As a Master Gardener, she loves instructing and providing information to the community. She is particularly interested in sustainable gardening, the essential role that native plants have in the landscape, and attracting and supporting pollinators.

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Marie Ireland has taught craft classes with LLI for many years. She enjoys paper crafting, pottery, quilting, and more.

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Patricia Jackson has a brown belt in Jiu Jitsu style Karate and many years of experience teaching and performing Qigong. Together with her daughter and grandkids, she lives in a big wooden house in the Brandermill woods.

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Walter Jackson has been a practitioner of Tai Chi and Qigong since he took his first classes in 1964. Since then, he has earned a sixth-degree black belt in Jiu Jitsu and has become fully accredited in Tai Chi and Acupressure (Shiatsu). Over the years, he has taught hundreds of classes for his San Diego organization, the Walking Tiger Tai Chi Club. After retiring from a career as an electrical engineer and a video producer, Walter and his wife moved to Richmond to help raise their two grandchildren. They live with their daughter, her husband, and their two grandkids in a big wooden house in Brandermill.

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Vybhav Jetty MD, is a fellowship-trained electrophysiologist focused on comprehensive arrhythmia care. Dr. Jetty chose a career in cardiology and electrophysiology because he loves making an impact on the lives of patients with arrhythmias and heart disease. He has a passion for research and education and comes from a long line of physicians that prioritize putting the patient first. He has a special interest in pacemakers that take advantage of the heart’s natural conduction system. Board eligible in cardiology and clinical cardiac electrophysiology, he has published numerous manuscripts in the field.

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B. Ellen Johnson PhD, holds two degrees in nuclear engineering and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. She studied and performed research in the energy field for over twenty years before switching careers to teach and tutor high school math and physics. Dr. Johnson strives to make math, physics, and engineering engaging and understandable to students at all levels.

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Myron Johnson and her husband, Reggie, relocated to the Richmond area from Laurel, Maryland. Prior to moving, Myron worked as the clinic manager for an orthodontic office near the White House, where they had some interesting patients. Myron loved her job and retired after 30 years with the practice. She and Reggie have been members of LLI since 2013.

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Peppy Jones was born and raised in Midlothian, Virginia and graduated from Midlothian High School. Peppy is a graduate of University of Richmond and worked in the construction industry for 40 years. Since 2011, he has been the Director of Mid-Lothian Mines and Railroads Foundation and is a member of the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia.

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Frances Judd is a Jersey Girl who used her nursing education to travel to Minnesota, Texas, and Virginia. After retiring, she became involved in the Salisbury Garden Club. Fran joined LLI after hearing about the Institute during a pedicure. She has two sons. One lives in Lexington, KY which is great for the races, and one lives in Minneapolis which is great for everything else. Her four grandchildren live in Kentucky.

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Rick Kaerwer was born and raised outside of Boston and has lived in Chesterfield County for over 30 years. He is happily married with grown twin sons. A big fan of ukuleles, Rick has been playing since 2018 and has been singing since he was a wee lad. From 1976 to 1979 Rick played the guitar and he currently enjoys playing in the LLI Lifelong Musicians group. Rick has been an LLI instructor since 2022.

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Randall Kaker was born and raised in Wisconsin (Go Pack!) and got his degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He moved to Virginia in 1980 and taught Math and Statistics for Chesterfield Schools from 1980 until he retired in 2011. Randall has been very happily married since 1975 and has two children who live nearby. He has been playing the guitar since 1961 and truly enjoys the Lifelong Musicians group and all the friends he has made there.

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Dorota Kawka E-RYT 200, took her first yoga class in 1996 while pregnant with her first child and instantly fell in love with it. She was certified to teach yoga in 2008 and has been teaching ever since. Dorota especially enjoys working with older adults, teaching a variety of Chair Yoga, Senior Yoga and Gentle Yoga classes at different locations in the Richmond area. She is delighted to be able to share her practice with the LLI family.

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Suzanne Kelly is a retired Chesterfield County teacher with degrees in business education and English. She taught for 47 years in North Carolina and in various county junior and senior high schools. In 2001, she and Dr. Sarah Mansfield created Teachers for Tomorrow, a program for juniors and seniors interested in becoming teachers. The program has been used at James River and Midlothian High Schools since then. Suzanne began her teaching career in Chesterfield in the LLI building in 1969 and returned as a member in 2015.

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Linda Kerman earned her master’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts. She taught literature courses in high school and community college, frequently moderating class discussions, and now assists students who are composing essays as they apply for college and specialty programs. Linda has one adult son and three grandchildren, all of whom are bookworms. An LLI member since 2016, she enjoys reading and playing with her two pet birds.

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Annette Khan has been an active member of the Interfaith Community of Greater Richmond (ICGR) since 2004, served on the board for Richmond Peace Education Center (RPEC), and chaired and co-chaired the Richmond Peace Festival from 2004-2017. She retired in 2019 after 20 years at a local private school, where she now is a member of the board. Annette has been an LLI instructor since 2023.

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Malik Khan is a Pakistani American who came to the States in 1973. He worked for Philip Morris USA (now Altria) as a Process Engineer until his retirement in 2010. Since September 11, 2001, Malik has been actively involved in presenting Islam and the role of Muslims in our pluralistic society in churches and educational institutions in the Greater Richmond Metropolitan area.

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Rick Kinnaird has travelled the world to see the remnants of great ancient civilizations and has returned to talk about it. The Taj Mahal, the Pyramids, Petra, Borobudur, and Angkor Wat are all in his repertoire, as well as the Mayan, Aztec, and Inca ruins. In the course of his travels he has come into contact with noted archaeologists who have shared some of their latest insights with him. Rick has been an LLI instructor since 2019.

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John Kirn is a Professor Emeritus of American History at Brightpoint Community College in Midlothian, VA. He received his B.A. from Cornell University and his M.A. and PH.D. from the University of Virginia. His research specialty is the Civil War era, but he enjoys teaching and learning about all aspects of American history. Dr. Kirn has always been fascinated with Norman Rockwell, the humor and poignancy of his artwork, and what his popularity tells us about twentieth-century American society and culture.

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Evelyn Klumb is the past president and member of the Oxford Garden Club in Richmond and The Gardeners of Watchung Hills in New Jersey. She is a member of Ikebana of Richmond and studies Ikenobo, Sogetsu, Ohara and Keika Kazan. Evelyn worked with a floral designer in New Jersey and enjoys sharing the art of floral design. She became an LLI member in 2022.

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James Knego is a retired hippie with degrees in philosophy, political science, and executive leadership. He spent over 30 years working in the communications industry managing large sales organizations in VP and Executive Director roles. It is his belief that our individual lives have purpose and meaning with unlimited possibilities. Jim has been an LLI member since 2022.

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Christopher Kolakowski is the Director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and former Director of the MacArthur Memorial. He has written and spoken extensively on military history.

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John Krug has a personal reason for becoming an Oasis Senior Advisors owner- his parents. John and his family went through the process alone and endured four separate assisted living presentations while searching for the right home for them. When he saw the exponentially more pleasant experience his brother-in-law had while using a senior placement service, he knew the benefits that this could bring to families searching for the right senior living solution.

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Steve Kunnmann has been an LLI member since 2013. He also serves as Treasurer on the LLI Board of Directors. Steve has degrees in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech and an MBA from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.

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Sara Lakkassani MD, received her medical education at Osmania Medical College in India and completed her residency in emergency medicine at the Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research and Star Hospitals before working as an ER attending doctor in the Caribbean Islands. Dr. Lakkasani completed residency training in internal medicine and a gastroenterology fellowship at Saint Michael’s Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey, where she served as the chief of research. She was awarded the Dr. Peter Ho Memorial Resident Award for Humanitarianism in Medicine. She is currently a board-certified, fellowship-trained gastroenterologist with Advanced Gastroenterology Specialists in Richmond, Virginia.

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LuGay Lanier has a background in environmental science, biology, and landscape architecture which informs a painting style that combines unique places, local people, and their cultures. Studying environmental science helped her develop a love of nature and an appreciation for the uniqueness of each day. Even with the same location and subject, the light intensity, wind, shade, shadows, and time of year vary, producing new challenges. Biology encourages experimentation with new tools, subjects, and media. Pen and ink sketching encourages detail. Adding watercolor introduces the challenge of whether to let the media evolve or try to manipulate it. Each study is about the journey and learning new techniques and ways to apply them. Landscape architecture combines design, color, seasons, cycles, and art which translate seamlessly to Lu Gay’s art. She feels each sketch or painting is an interpretation of life, which selects specific focus, details, and interconnectivity to bond the relationship to place.

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Frank LaRuffa is the Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney for Chesterfield County. Frank began his legal career in 1991 as an assistant public defender with the Richmond Public Defender’s Office. In 2000, Frank switched to prosecution, joining the Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office where he was promoted to deputy in 2006. In 2012, he took a position at the Chesterfield County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office where he has served as an assistant, deputy, and now chief deputy. Frank is a graduate of the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary and resides in the Bon Air area of Chesterfield County.

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Rachel Lawson is the Program Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association supporting the Greater Richmond Chapter. She has been with the Alzheimer’s Association since July 2018 after completing her internship with the association in the Spring of 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotions and a Master of Science in Public Health, both from Lynchburg College. Prior to the Alzheimer’s Association, she worked in medical office administration and non-profit health organizations. Rachel always strives to bring education and awareness to those impacted by all forms of dementia through the services and support of the association.

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John Lemza graduated the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1976. He served over 20 years in the Army with more than eight years abroad in Asia and Europe. His last assignment was at the Pentagon. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with an MA in History and from George Mason University with a PhD in History. His research interests are post-1945 America, the Cold War, the history of immigration, consumerism, and military history. John currently teaches history at Virginia Commonwealth University. He has been a member of the LLI teaching faculty since 2005. He is a member of the LLI, sits on the Board of Directors, and currently serves as President. He has published three books, American Military Communities in West Germany: Life in the Cold War Badlands, 1945-1990 (2016); The Big Picture: The Cold War on the Small Screen (2021); and Charles A. Willoughby and the Anti-Communist Crusade (2024).

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Juana Levi is a retired registered nurse who studied Art History at the University of Maryland. She is a mother of two daughters, who are both teachers, and a grandmother of four. She and her husband have been LLI members since 2013.

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Eric Levitan is the founder and CEO of Vivo. After witnessing the decline of his parents’ quality of life, he realized he wanted to better understand the aging process so that he could help them. That’s why he started Vivo – a safe, engaging, and impactful program to guide older adults to a safer and healthier life. More information on the research he found and the solution he recommends is available at www.teamvivo.com/.

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Annebel Lewis is a Socio-Cultural Anthropologist whose primary research is in ritual, belief systems, and mythology. She is retired from California State University Fullerton and from Southern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Group. She appeared in Who's Who in American Women in 91-92 and has been published in various professional journals. Annebel has been a faculty member of LLI since 2007 and serves on the Board of Directors.

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Russell Lundeberg CPA, is the owner and Chief Investment Officer of Barrett Capital Management, LLC. With three decades of industry expertise, Russell specializes in crafting retirement-focused strategies. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond in accounting, a master’s degree in management information systems from the University of Virginia, holds a CPA designation, and is Series 65 registered. A sought-after speaker at investment forums throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean, Russell's insights have been featured in renowned media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Bloomberg Television, Reuters, CNN/Money, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, TheStreet.com, Smartmoney.com, The Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, and Investor’s Business Daily.

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Joanna Lurie has a master’s degree in health administration and a Bachelor of Science in medical biology. She is a certified medical technologist by the American Society for Clinical Pathology at a master’s level and is certified in database design. Joanna was the chemistry laboratory supervisor for twenty years in a major Long Island hospital and the laboratory information systems coordinator for six. She taught clinical chemistry as an adjunct professor for the State University of NY at Farmingdale. Now at St. Gabriel’s Parish, she serves as lector and is a member of Women in God’s Spirit (WINGS) spirituality group. She has participated in the Bible study group since 2007 and has taken over 50 Bible study classes. She has served on the Adult Faith Formation ministry and taught in the Children’s Faith Formation ministry. Joanna has served on the LLI faculty since 2006.

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Nhan Ly is a pre-med track biology student and research assistant at VCU. He has a passion for pathology and for volunteering and helping others!

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Sharon Macauley joined the LLI in 2009 when she took her first line dance class. It’s been a passion ever since then. Now she enjoys sharing this fun and social activity with newcomers.

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Virginia Maloney has been an LLI member since 2021 and enjoys playing games.

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Marilyn Mare is a retired Chesterfield County teacher who taught at J. B. Watkins Elementary School. She joined LLI in 2007 and is an active member who volunteers whenever needed. She also enjoys teaching Mah Jongg to fellow LLI students!

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Lela Martin has been a volunteer Master Gardener with the Chesterfield County office of the Virginia Cooperative Extension since 2011. She wrote an award-winning monthly gardening column for Fifty Plus Richmond from 2014–2022. Lela has served as co-chair of the Bumblebee Jamboree (an event to educate families about pollinators) for five years and retired last year as Speakers Lead. She develops and gives presentations on a variety of lawn and garden topics to the public, garden clubs, neighborhood associations, and the 50+ program through Parks and Recreation. Lela has donated over 2,700 hours of service to the Virginia Cooperative Extension. She also currently volunteers as a teacher of English as a Second Language to adults. Lela’s career included working as a high school English teacher, a computer programmer, a technical writer, and a corporate communications trainer.

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Karen Masley comes from an artistic family and has been drawing and painting since she was very young. Having no formal art education, she began to take art more seriously in her thirties when, as a member of various art groups, she was mentored by well-known artists in Texas and Florida. Now at LLI, Karen has enjoyed classes with Brian Austin, Marti Franks, and Hal Cauthen. Karen loves to look for inspiration in nature, capturing vivid colors and textures in her work and bringing her interpretation of the beauty and gloriousness of God's creation. Though she occasionally works in other mediums, Karen's favorites are watercolor and colored pencil. Karen has been an LLI member since 2017.

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Leslie Matthews is a citizen of both the US and the UK and has pursued her studies and a career on both sides of the Atlantic. She studied with Metropolitan Opera sopranos, Judith Raskin and Clarice Carson in New York, and with Madame Lo Siew Tuan in the UK. Beginning her career as a mezzo, Leslie made the switch to the full-lyric/dramatic soprano repertoire, including; Fiordiligi in “Cosi fan Tutte”, the Countess in “Figaro,” Leonora in “Il Trovatore,” Amelia in Ballo in “Maschera,” Mimi in “La Boheme,” First Lady in “Magic Flute,” Maddalena in “Andrea Chenier,” Violetta in “La Traviata,” the title role in “Tosca,” and Giulietta and the Voice in “Tales of Hoffmann.” Leslie founded the Metropolitan Lyric Theatre in the NYC area and now resides in Chester.

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Sarah Matthews taught elementary art for 34 years in Chesterfield County. She won numerous local, state, and national awards, including Art Educator of the Year for the State of Virginia. Sarah published magazine articles and taught dozens of workshops. She loved teaching others how to teach and mentored over 25 student teachers and currently supervises student teachers for VCU. Sarah appreciates how they keep her on her toes and teach her new things all the time. She was a mural painter for 20 years and has worked in schools, daycare centers, and private homes. Since retiring, she has begun selling smaller-scale work at art shows and boutiques, working in mixed media, mainly acrylics. Sarah is passionate about bringing the joy of art to all and believes anyone can learn the basics and find joy in the process.

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Alan McCrea is a transplant from the Philadelphia suburbs with some South Carolina heritage. He studied mechanical engineering at Cornell and did graduate study in control theory in Aachen, Germany. He went on to work for industrial companies there and in Austria. In 1967, Robertshaw Controls Company in Richmond hired him to develop what was probably the world's first computerized energy management system for commercial buildings. Early projects included the International Monetary Fund headquarters in Washington and the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston. After fourteen years he began consulting in control and microprocessor applications and now he has fun publishing word puzzles. He's enjoyed being a member of LLI since 2012.

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Linda McDorman has been in the fitness industry since 1990 and is certified by the American Council on Exercise as a Group Fitness Instructor, AFAA for Personal Training, Yoga Alliance RYT200 for many yoga formats, Stott Pilates, and Mad Dogg Spinning for cycling. In 2024, she obtained her Barre Above certification. Her passion is helping others become healthier and stronger through exercise.

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Joseph McMoneagle was one of few remote viewers (RV) in the world during the cold war and was able to provide intelligence that could not have been attained by any other source. Remote viewing is a paranormal ability to sense information regardless of distance or other barriers. Joe was trained in RV as part of Operation Stargate during his time in the army at Ft Meade and the Stanford Research Institute, because it was thought the Russians were using RV to obtain intelligence. He has been an LLI instructor since 2024.

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Douglas McRae completed the ballroom teacher training course at Simply Ballroom Dance Studio and has been ballroom dancing for over 25 years. He has taught for USA Dance chapters in Richmond and the Tri-Cities, The Dance Space, and has helped with beginner classes at Rigby's Jig. In addition, Doug DJs dances several times a month. He and his co-instructor, Teresa Day, have been dancing together for several years. Doug has been an LLI member since 2023.

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Beth Mercer taught choral music in Chesterfield County for 33 years and retired in 2012. She has spent the last 44 years working in musical theater, where she has directed and choreographed numerous shows for various schools, local churches, and community theater. Beth is so happy to have been a member of the LLI community since 2018.

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Alex Meredith PhD, is a VCU Distinguished Career Professor and Emeritus Professor of Anatomy and Neuroscience at VCU’s School of Medicine. He had a 40-year career as a neuroscience researcher in the field of sensory and multisensory processing. Dr. Meredith held numerous research grants and trained several graduate and post-doctoral students. He has approximately 100 peer-reviewed publications that, collectively, have achieved an impact ranking in the top two percent of world scientists. During his career he taught and directed courses in neuroscience and gross anatomy to thousands of medical, dental, and graduate students and received numerous teaching awards. Before his career as a scientist, Alex trained and worked as a biomedical illustrator. His abbreviated CV is available at this website: https://anatomy.vcu.edu/about/retired-faculty/m-alex-meredith-phd.html

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Mark Mikuta is a principal with Estate Settlement Solutions, LLC. He has worked in internal audit, corporate finance and real estate management and development. Mark received his BS in accounting from the University of Richmond. He is a member of many professional organizations and is also a Certified Financial Planner.

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David Miller is a native of Hopewell, Virginia. He graduated from Hopewell High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Richmond. After receiving a Master of Science in human physiology from Georgetown University, he accepted an army scholarship to attend Georgetown School of Medicine. He completed his internship at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii and returned to Washington, DC for his orthopedic surgery residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he was the Chief of the Adult Reconstructive Service. Dr. Miller completed a fellowship at Queens Medical Center in Nottingham, England and returned to Richmond in 1999 as a partner at West End Orthopaedic Clinic, now OrthoVirginia, where he is a former Board President. Dr. Miller was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Virginia National Guard and is a decorated army veteran who was awarded the Bronze Star and Air Medal for his service as a flight surgeon during Operation Desert Storm. He has dedicated his career, both civilian and military, to providing expert orthopedic care. Dr. Miller specializes in hip and knee replacements, including direct anterior hip replacement, the get around knee replacement, custom fit knee replacement, partial knee replacement, and revision joint surgery.

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Mark Miller PhD, LPC, CSAC, is currently serving as the Midlothian Supervisor on the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. For the past ten years, he has served as a professional counselor at Brightpoint Community College and, prior to that, served for thirteen years at Chesterfield Mental Health as a senior clinician and services supervisor working with folks of all ages diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dr. Miller also works in private practice with clients and couples who are dealing with a variety of mental health challenges, which include substance abuse.

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Chan Mohney is a retired CIA military analyst who spent 38 years working on the Soviet Ground Forces, as well as Afghanistan and other countries and subjects. Chan completed four overseas assignments. He has been an LLI member since 2024.

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John Morgan III, grew up in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. He earned an associate’s degree at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and his bachelor’s from Guilford College. John has worked in procurement at VMFA, VDOT, VCU/MCV, Dominion Virginia Power (VEPCO), and Miller & Rhoads. In college, he learned to play the guitar and has added fiddle, mandolin, banjo, and harmonica along the way. John has been performing in the Richmond area since 2008 and has been privileged to play music with Jimmy Payne, Mark Campbell, Harold Hausenfluck, Trip Johnson, Doug Shackleford, Larry Wiley, Kate Conn, and Don Golladay. He currently can be found making music with Company’s Coming and Stand Your Ground.

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Dorothy Moses has been an LLI member since 2008. She’s an aspiring writer and has participated in several critique groups.

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Jennifer Moss has served as the Outreach and Education Director for Bliley’s Funeral Home in Richmond, Virginia since 2016, providing end of life care education to groups around the commonwealth. Prior to her employment at Bliley’s, Jennifer served as a community outreach liaison for the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Victim Compensation Program where she provided education on victim’s rights in the criminal justice field for over 15 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

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Wayne Moyer is a 2004 graduate of the University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies and holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts. He retired from Lowe's after 10 years as a kitchen designer and has been active in numerous volunteer organizations. He is currently active with the Brandermill Midlothian Woodlake Lions Club as a past president and current eyesight coordinator. Wayne has been an LLI member since 2017.

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Mary Jane Murphy has a BS in Home Economics Education and a B.A. in Studio Art. She brings 25 years teaching experience to LLI and has been a member at Chesterfield LLI since 2010.

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Gary Nelson was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He received his degree in geology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. After working for 39 years in the quarry and asphalt business in various positions, he retired and took a part time position with the Cornell Local Roads Program, which is the New York State branch of the Federal Highway Administration’s Local Technical Assistance Program. There, he was an instructor and educator, writing, presenting workshops and seminars, and producing training videos on asphalt related topics. It was during this time that he learned how satisfying it is to share knowledge with others.

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Thomas Neviaser is a retired orthopedic surgeon of 33 years who specialized in knee and shoulder conditions. He has written or co-written over 40 peer review articles, presented many papers and instruction courses, and developed surgical procedures for the knee, elbow, and shoulder. He is an emeritus member of the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons and a founding member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons. Tom has been an LLI member since 2023.

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Lindafaye Newton first displayed musical talents at the age of six when she performed “Autumn Leaves” at a grade school program. Her family tree and musical roots run deep in Memphis by way of New Orleans. She is the proud descendant of many musicians, including her grandfather, De Witt Jones, who was a pianist with the famous Jimmy Lunceford Big Band. While living in Los Angeles, she pursued a career in acting and was very fortunate in booking several commercial and print modeling jobs. After singing at a friend’s wedding, she was approached by jazz musician, Bennie Maupin of Herbie Hancock’s “Headhunters,” who asked if she would sing with a big band he was directing. Although she had not thought about pursuing a career as a vocalist, the invitation to share musical space and time with the likes of Mr. Maupin was an honor and a privilege. She is currently the featured vocalist with the Johnny Peyton Renaissance Big Band.

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Kennedy O'Donnell is a lover of all things brain health related, an avid rock climber, a runner, and a lifelong Virginian. He’s a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and a health coach who currently works for the VCU Richmond Brain Health Initiative (RBHI). Born from a lineage of schoolteachers, he has a passion for facilitating group discussions that are interactive, fun, and educational!

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Debra Ogilvie is with Richmond Hearing Doctors, is a Virginia native, and grew up in Hampton. She received her Bachelor's degree from James Madison University, her Master's degree from The George Washington University in Washington, DC, and her Doctorate of Audiology degree from Salus University in Pennsylvania. Debra has been practicing Audiology since 1995, coming to Richmond in 1999. She spent 12 years working in a local private practice until deciding to become an owner herself. She has always appreciated both the technical and personal sides to Audiology – finding the best hearing solution for each individual person. Debra is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, a fellow of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, and is a Board Member of the Virginia Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their son, daughter, and extended family.

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Courtney O'Hara is the co-director of the Elder Justice Learning and Research Hub and the assistant director of the Virginia Center on Aging at Virginia Commonwealth University. She works with partners around the state to raise awareness and develop best practices to address elder mistreatment. She helps steer the Hub in developing and implementing activities to promote a comprehensive, coordinated, and cross-trained community response to elder mistreatment.

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Judith Onesty loves to create! Although she loves to cook, she doesn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen and, in the 1990s, began creating recipes that follow her mantra of “tasty, healthy, and quick.” When she is not preparing delicious and easy food, Judith enjoys art in many forms. She has been learning and teaching jewelry-making for over 20 years and is an experienced storyteller. Judith has been an LLI instructor since 2018.

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Sydney Orgel is the Health Initiatives Program Manager at Feed More in Richmond, VA. She has worked in food banking with a focus on community resources and improving health for a decade. At Feed More, Sydney supports programs that increase access to nutritious foods and builds collaborative partnerships to improve the health and wellbeing of our community.

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Timothy Pace received a Juris Doctorate degree from Creighton University in 1972, and was a senior adviser to the Board of Veterans Appeals from 1972 to 1990. After presidential appointment, Timothy served as Administrative Law judge for the Social Security Administration from 1990 to 2014 handling primarily Medicare cases and Disability claims. In that capacity, he presided in various courtroom proceedings along the east coast at hearing sites in eight states and in the District of Columbia. From time to time, he was called upon to lecture to fellow judges and administrative personnel on the nuances of ever-changing laws governing the administration on Social Security benefits. He has been a member of LLI since 2014.

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Josh Pachter recently retired from a fifty-year career as a college educator, most recently at Northern Virginia Community College. In addition to teaching, he is a writer, editor, and translator of short crime fiction. In 2020, the Short Mystery Fiction Society awarded him its Golden Derringer for Lifetime Achievement. He has been an LLI instructor since early 2022.

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Mike Pagel graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point with majors in chemistry and physics, and a master’s degree in education. He retired in 2013 after teaching for 40 years in public and private high schools. Mike has been a student and teacher of the Bible since college. In his church he has taught two-year overviews of the Bible, in depth studies of individual books, and courses in creative Bible teaching techniques. He has been involved in the leadership of the Bible discussion class since becoming an LLI member in 2017. His hobbies include playing stringed instruments and starting projects that he doesn’t know how he will finish, such as designing and building mountain banjos, hammered dulcimers, and dollhouses.

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Kevin Parks is a formerly licensed Assisted Living Facility (ALF) Administrator. He has been working in the senior housing industry since 2001 and has served older adults in various capacities from Community Relations to Executive Director. As an advocate for older adults and active member of several organizations focused on improving quality of life for elders, Kevin champions quality of life issues in senior housing and recognizes the importance of offering choice and involving seniors in the decision-making process when a more supportive environment is being considered. Kevin provides a comprehensive, personalized service that helps his clients identify supportive housing options that best fit their unique situation, thus eliminating the chaos often accompanying a search for the best option. "Replacing chaos with clarity in your search for senior housing options" is what he strives for.

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Conner Parrish owns Blossoming Roots Farm and Supply in Ashland, Virginia. They are a local cut flower farm with a mission to protect and nurture the environment. Connor has been a nature lover since the sudden loss of his father at an early age, when he quickly realized that nature grounded him. After becoming a beekeeper in college, he began to understand the therapeutic benefits of the natural world. Flower farming entered the picture as he was planting flowers to feed his bees. Today, Blossoming Roots donates a portion of its profits to pollinator conservation each month and Conner is living his dream to help the world become a better place.

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Kathy Parrish is the Adult and College Group Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

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John Partridge retired from a 43-year practice as an OB-GYN in Central Virginia and a position as an adjunct clinical professor with MCV/VCU, and began pursuing his lifelong interests in history, archeology, and art. In 2019, Dr. Partridge served as expedition artist and photographer for a National Geographic expedition excavating a royal tomb under a pyramid in Sudan. He has continued to build his knowledge and skills in watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting through self-study and the great courses at LLI. Passionate about teaching, he has taught courses at LLI highlighting ancient civilizations and the archeologists who brought them to light. Through his teaching, Dr. Partridge hopes to spark in others enthusiasm and joy in learning.

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Paula Peaden began her professional career as a registered nurse after receiving her Bachelor of Science degree from Mount St. Mary’s College. She received her legal education from Antonin Scalia Law School. Currently, she is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Special Needs Alliance and Estate Planning Council of Richmond. Paula practices law in Trust and Estate Planning, Trust and Estate Administration, Elder Law, Long Term Care & Disability Planning, Special Needs Trusts, and Guardianships. She was named the best Elder Lawyer in Richmond in the Best Lawyers in America® and was voted by Peer Recognition as 2022 Virginia Lawyer of the Year as published by Best Lawyers®. Her knowledge and professionalism are evidenced by other accolades, including her appointment to the Virginia Business Legal Elite and the Class of Leaders in the Law, Best Lawyers in America® for Trusts and Estate, Virginia Super Lawyers for Trusts and Estates and Elder Law and AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell Preeminent Women Lawyers.

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Beverly Perdue has been creating in oils and watercolors for the past thirty years. She has been recognized with several national and international awards in both mediums. Her style of teaching is to guide and encourage students to find their own individual art voice.

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Sandy Phillips has a degree in Music and Music Education. She continued her studies at the University of Richmond, VCU, and Westminster Choir College. Her performance majors were piano and organ, with a minor in vocal production. She taught public and private school music in Virginia, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois and has also been a church organist and choral director. She has performed in musicals, and other theatrical productions and has been an instructor at LLI since 2013.

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Zachary Pittard earned his bachelor's in history from Longwood University and his master’s in history from VCU. He is the Director of Education and Interpretation for Pamplin Historical Park and serves on the Board of Directors for the Appomattox-Petersburg Preservation Society.

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Amy Pridemore MBA, serves as the Executive Director of the VCU Financial Success Center by Virginia Credit Union and is an Instructor in the VCU School of Business Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Department, specializing in personal finance education. With a passion for empowering individuals through financial literacy, Amy leverages her extensive experience to oversee the center's mission of enhancing financial well-being within the VCU community and beyond. Under her leadership, the center offers comprehensive programs and services aimed at equipping students and community members with essential financial skills. Amy's commitment to education extends beyond the classroom through innovative outreach initiatives and partnerships, ensuring that her impact on financial education reaches diverse audiences throughout Richmond and the state of Virginia.

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Anita Prince is a native Virginian and has been a resident of Chesterfield County since 1980. She retired in 2018 after 44 years of service to the Commonwealth in five different agencies, including Social Services, the Department for Children, the Department of Education, the Department of Correctional Education, and the Department of Corrections. Anita served as a member of the faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in the School of Social Work and the School of Education. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology/Biology from Radford College and her master’s degree and Doctorate in Adult Education from VCU. She currently volunteers at Joy House working with homeless women, on the African American Committee of the Chesterfield Historical Society, and more recently with the Lifelong Learning Institute. Anita has been an LLI member since 2022.

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Carol Pritchard is a French teacher who taught beginning, intermediate, advanced and adult education classes for forty years. She taught in the school systems of Baltimore City and County, Maryland; Pittsford, New York; and Chesterfield County, Virginia. Locally, she taught at Monacan High School (until 1994) and James River High School (until 2008). She retired from CCPS in July 2008 and has been a member of LLI since 2009.

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Jeremy Pryor Esq., is a principal attorney at the law firm Carrell Blanton Ferris & Associates, PLC. His areas of practice include elder law, estate planning, and incapacity-related litigation. As an empathetic and fierce advocate for his clients’ rights, Mr. Pryor concentrates on securing Medicaid coverage for nursing home care needs and safeguarding assets from the costs of long-term care. In addition, he helps clients become guardians and conservators through court proceedings. Mr. Pryor received his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from James Madison University and his Juris Doctor cum laude in 2007 from Regent University's School of Law. Actively affiliated with the legal community, Mr. Pryor has memberships in the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and ElderCounsel.

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Lucas Ramirez is the son of Rachel Ramirez, Executive Director at LLI in Chesterfield. He is an avid reader and podcast listener, and he loves learning, dinosaurs, robots, puzzles, playing on playgrounds, riding his bike, and playing anything with his father, Luis, and his little brother, Levi. Since he was born in 2018, Lucas has spent countless hours at LLI and loves seeing members and making them laugh with stories and jokes. Lucas is homeschooled and is a student at the Classical Conversations Charter Colony community that meets one half-day weekly during the school year.

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Rachel Ramirez has been the Executive Director at LLI in Chesterfield since March 2014. She previously worked for four years in IT and as a Financial Team Manager for a nonprofit in Mechanicsville. Before that she was an Assistant Branch Manager with First Market Bank in Richmond and a Store Manager at Starbucks Coffee Company. Rachel has enjoyed attending and serving with Clover Hill Church since 2003 and is grateful for the opportunities she has had to work with Give Hope 2 Kids, a children's home in the mountains of Honduras. Rachel earned a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Management from Regent University in 2006 and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from VCU in 2018. Rachel and her husband, Luis, love spending time with their two boys, their family and friends, as well as biking, hiking, and traveling!

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Waite Rawls retired at the end of 2019. He previously served as the President of the American Civil War Museum Foundation. He received a B.A. at Virginia Military Institute and was awarded an M.B.A. and J. D. by the University of Virginia. Some of the positions he held in the banking, investment, and money markets fields were: Managing Director, Chemical Bank, New York; Vice Chairman, Continental Bank, Chicago; Executive Vice President, The Chicago Corporation; and Chief Operating Officer of Ferrell Capital Management, Greenwich, Conn. He also led a start-up technology company and has been a visiting or adjunct professor at University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business Administration and Illinois Institute of Technology.

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Michael Recant has been active in the field of LGBTQ justice since the mid-2000s. As head of the First Unitarian Universalist Church LGBTQ-Straight Alliance committee, he helped to establish the first ROSMY Alternative Prom for LGBTQ+ High Schoolers in the RVA area. Mike is a trained Sexuality Educator in the "Our Whole Lives" curriculum jointly developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ. The Our Whole Lives program operates under the idea that well informed youth, young adults, and adults make better, healthier decisions about sexuality than those without complete information. OWL strives to be unbiased and teaches about heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual, non-binary, and transgender sexual health. Mike has been an LLI instructor since 2024.

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David Reynolds earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Lynchburg in 2016. He now manages the CORA Physical Therapy in Midlothian, VA where he specializes in the treatment of patients with musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders. David believes in leveraging the body's natural healing processes through movement and encouraging patients to manage their impairments with less reliance on medications and surgeries. On several occasions, David has participated in medical missions as a physical therapist in North Africa, including mentoring and teaching local providers and taking PT students from various universities on clinical rotations.

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Katie Reynolds is the Manager of Tour Services at Agecroft Hall and Gardens. She has been working at the museum since 2004 and holds a B.A. degree in history. She looks forward to welcoming LLI students to learn about the unique historic home, British history, and the gardens.

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Jessica Robison is the Emergency Management Coordinator for Chesterfield County. She manages the Chesterfield County Emergency Management staff, who are highly experienced in the areas of emergency planning, mitigation, response, and recovery, and who are committed to enhancing the resilience of the county though providing comprehensive preparedness training to those who work, live, or play in Chesterfield. In 2013, she became a certified Master Resiliency Trainer (MRT) through the University of Pennsylvania and the Department of the Army. As an MRT, she taught soldiers and family members how to build skills that would allow them to survive, then thrive in difficult situations. Jessica’s passion is to educate and empower residents to play an active role in their own well-being and that of their community. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in crime, law and justice from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from Western Governors University with a master’s degree in healthcare management.

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Matt Rogers was raised in Chesterfield County, graduated from James River High School, and then from Longwood University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Corporal Rogers has served with the Chesterfield County Police Department since 2006. During that time, he has served as a patrol officer, school resource officer, and is currently assigned to the Community Engagement Unit. Corporal Rogers is the coordinator for the Chesterfield County Police Department's Citizen's Academies and the Project Lifesaver program. He also assists in teaching crisis intervention for the Chesterfield County Police Department's CIT program.

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Margo Roseum is a Park Ranger and educator with the National Park Service. Education and Interpretation Rangers in Shenandoah National Park work to connect people with nature both in person and virtually.

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Audrey Ross is a native of Midlothian, Virginia. She attended Midlothian Elementary School, and graduated from Carver High School in Chester, Virginia in 1968. Then, she attended N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, NC, earning a BS in Professional Biology in 1972, and later, a Master of Public Health from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine focusing in Occupational and Environmental Public Health. Audrey has worked as a Microbiologist; Quality Assurance Specialist; Regulatory Affairs Professional; Safety and Public Health Professional; and retired as a Scientist Sr. from the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2009. In retirement, she occasionally substitutes for Chesterfield County Public Schools, and enjoys gardening, fishing, photography, participating in church and community activities and events, and researching the “Rich History” of African Americans in Midlothian and Chesterfield County. Audrey is a member and historian of the Historic First Baptist Church of Midlothian; a member of the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia’s African American History Committee; and member of the Board of Directors for the Midlothian Mines and Railroad Foundation. Audrey also serves on the Midlothian Implementation Team, and in 2023, was inducted into the Chesterfield County Senior Volunteer Hall of Fame.

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Andrew Rothschild has been working as a physical therapist in the outpatient orthopedic setting since 2006. In 2012, he completed a manual therapy residency and fellowship program and has gone on to mentor several other fellows. His interest in pursuing physical therapy as a career began after he underwent spinal fusion surgery in 2000 at the age of 23. He has a particular interest in treating low back, neck, and chronic pain. Over the past several years, he has expanded his specialties to include concussion and vestibular rehab. Since 2022, Andrew has served as the clinic director for the Virginia Center for Spine and Sports Therapy which is now part of H2 Health in Midlothian, VA. He is also part of a select group charged with developing continuing education courses for clinicians within the company.

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Matt Rowlett has been a tour guide at Agecroft Hall since 2021. He is a lifelong resident of the Richmond area and received his associate’s degree from Brightpoint (John Tyler) Community College. Matt was a volunteer at Pamplin Historical Park prior to working at Agecroft Hall.

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Gordon Russell has experience in both graphic design and corporate America. After graduating from VCU (RPI of the College of William & Mary) with majors in graphic design and advertising, he entered the fast-paced advertising industry in Richmond and then, in Atlanta, Georgia where he ran his own agency. Next, Gordon made major career shifts to work for Bell South and In-flight Publishing. He was the Senior Vice President of an international computer company, the Dean of a School of Design, and a Campus Director of Academic Affairs. No matter what he pursued, creativity always played an integral role.

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Tara Ruth is a native of West Virginia and earned her Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology from West Virginia University. She went on to receive her PhD in audiology from James Madison University. Dr. Ruth is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia as an audiologist and hearing aid specialist. Since 2005, Dr. Ruth has been practicing audiology in Richmond. She is married with two children and enjoys traveling and watching sports, especially college football and professional hockey. Her favorite teams are the West Virginia Mountaineers, James Madison Dukes, and the Washington Capitals.

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Patricia Ryther is retired from a career in banking and insurance. In retirement, she’s enjoyed studying 19th century American History, and teaching classes on notable environmental figures from that era. She has a degree in English Literature and has taught at the community college level. Pat has been an LLI member since 2018.

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Les Schaffer is a long time LLI instructor and a seasoned storyteller, teacher, and storytelling coach. A founding member of the Tell Tale Hearts Storytellers Theater Company and the TwoTellersTelling Tandem Storytellers, Les presents original and traditional stories in a variety of settings including concerts, schools, churches, theaters, senior living facilities, libraries, classes, workshops, story-slams, and conferences. His current passions involve coaching other tellers and hosting LLI’s monthly Super Senior Storytelling Slam. Les maintains that a good story will get you out of just about anything and that all of his stories are true, especially the made-up ones.

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Bonnie Scimone serves as the Lead Community Outreach and Marketing Specialist for The VirginiaNavigator Family of Websites. Bonnie has been with the organization since 2006. She graduated from Longwood University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics and received her Elementary Education Teaching Certificate from Virginia Commonwealth University. Bonnie has one son in Georgia, one daughter in Chesterfield and five grandchildren. Bonnie resides in Chesterfield County and serves Central Virginia and Tidewater.

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Tom Seaborn is a native of Newport News, Virginia and holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech. After serving three years as a company grade officer in the Army Medical Service Corps, he started his career in Consulting Engineering and Construction Management. In 1998, he became the design manager of semiconductor wafer fabrication plants for Motorola and Siemens. Tom has been a member of LLI since 2018 and has been active in the genealogy and memoir writing classes.

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William Seay is a professor in the Economics department at VCU and the History department at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. He was previously an affiliated professor of History and Geography at John Tyler Community College. He is also a visiting summer lecturer on call at Concordia and McGill Universities in Montreal as well as at Bishop's University in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, and for the School of Continuing Education at Oxford and Cambridge Universities in Great Britain. In November 2014, William was invested as a KM (Knight Member) in The Most Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem (the oldest British Crusader order that dates back to 1109 AD). Presently, William serves as a supply minister for the Presbyterian Church USA. He is completing commissioned pastor training between Union Presbyterian and Princeton Seminaries with graduation from Princeton in 2020.

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Alex Sebby is a third-generation US Veteran. At the age of seventeen, before graduating from high school in Minot, North Dakota, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. During his enlistment, Alex held the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 4611, combat illustrator. Combat illustrators create 2D and 3D artistic and illustrative products for use in various applications. Many veterans face challenges every day and struggle long after their service is over. Alex, like many others, believes it is up to all of us to support them and honor their sacrifices. It’s important that they receive the care and resources they need to heal and thrive. Those that have served in the US military have a story to tell! Their wisdom, expertise, and experience can benefit themselves and others. They can begin writing and sharing their stories for free at https://www.wordsofveterans.com/

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Tara Semtner AIA, is an architectural graduate of the University of Virginia, where she minored in art history. She has worked as an architect, a project manager, and in real estate sales.

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Matthew Simpson is the Director of Guest Services for the VA Holocaust Museum.

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Kevin Skellett is a pastor at Southside Church, founder of Love Never Ends ministry, and a member of the Chesterfield Suicide Awareness and Prevention Coalition.

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Jaime Smiley MS, OTR/L, CAPS, CDP is an occupational therapist who now serves as a healthcare consultant, educator, aging in place consultant, and Certified Dementia Practitioner. Jaime is a 2001 graduate of VCU's occupational therapy program. She has decades of experience in senior care as a therapist, director, clinical educator, and vice president of therapy services. Jaime is also an adjunct instructor in VCU's Department of Occupational Therapy and South University's Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. Her passion lies in helping the aging population secure healthy lifestyle options as well as providing training to encourage seniors to become educated consumers of services. Jamie has been an LLI instructor since 2024.

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Shawn Smith serves as the State Director for the Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). He is an ordained minister, a certified business coach, and author of "101 Fraud Tips for Protecting Your Money, Your Credit and Your Identity from Thieves Hackers and Scammers". Shawn has had a long career in serving underserved and marginalized communities and he is passionate about advocating for others, but also empowering others to become self-advocates. He has two sons, Shawn and Vaughn and lives in Richmond, VA.

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Shelvey Smith has been involved with doing handwork since she was young. Shelvey began cross stitching, then crocheting, and at the beginning of 2022, learned to knit at LLI. It has been very enjoyable! She has met a lot of nice people willing to share their knowledge and friendship, and she hopes others will come join the Needleworkers United group. Shelvey has been an LLI member since 2019.

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Foster Solomon is an actor, writer, and director. His directing highlights include “Arcadia” and “Much Ado About Nothing” for Richmond Shakespeare; “The Piano Lesson” for Virginia Union University; “To Kill a Mockingbird” for The Barksdale Theatre; and the world premiere of “Cartoon for a New Ceiling” for New Perspectives Theater in NYC. He has written “The Penny Executive: The Maggie L. Walker Story” for Carpenter Science Theatre and the award-winning short film, “Tamed.” Solomon's racially charged dramatic feature film, “Hawks Ridge,” which he wrote and directed, is now streaming on Amazon Prime and Tubi. Solomon holds an MFA from The Shakespeare Theatre's Academy for Classical Acting. All love to his family!

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Claudette Spencer was born in Brooklyn and attended Lincoln University and Temple Law School. She began her legal career in Philadelphia and returned to New York in 1984 to work at the Prisoners’ Rights Project, representing prisoners in class action cases. It was there that she met and married her husband who was serving time in prison. After he was paroled and deported to Trinidad in 2003, she moved there with him. Claudette is the founder of several nonprofit agencies and non-governmental organizations including the Coalition for Parole Restoration, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Trinidad and Tobago, the Volunteer Connection, the New York State Prison Crisis Response Coalition and the Sapphire Girls Club. She is the author of two books, “Memoirs of a Prison Lawyer - Prison Wife” and “ALL TAPPED OUT: The Disappearance of the Mountain Hill College Funds.” Claudette moved back the United States in 2022 and lives in Virginia. She has two daughters and ten grandchildren.

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Katie Starr PhD, RD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine and Research Health Scientist at Durham VA Medical Center. Dr. Starr is also Co-Director of the Duke Center for Aging Clinical Nutrition Laboratory, and her research and professional experience focuses on understudied, older adult populations at high risk for chronic health conditions and functional disability. She is also the Chief Scientific Advisor for Vivo.

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Karen Steele is a native West Virginian who graduated with a MA in art history from the School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has taught art history at Brightpoint Community College, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Virginia Commonwealth University, Longwood College, and Virginia Union University. Karen currently teaches applied humanities and art history online for Southern New Hampshire University. She also volunteers as a tour guide at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Karen has two children and three grandchildren and loves to travel, knit, read, and quilt. Her yarn and fabric stashes are quite formidable.

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Mark Stella has an interest in Tai Chi that started with a trip to China 27 years ago. His formal Tai Chi journey began in Cincinnati where he studied with his first instructor who had spent two years in China learning Tai Chi and Chi Gong. Then, he studied under Amber Hue, owner of the Sun Moon Dojo Tai Chi & Enrichment School in Ohio, and who had over twenty years of teaching experience. Later, Mark continued his training by learning from Larry Murray who shared his interest in Chi Gong and the Chinese teaching of healing sounds.

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Kendalle Stock has been in the field of insurance in Chesterfield since 1985. A graduate of High Point University, Kendalle also earned her Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation in 1999. She has owned her own multi-line insurance agency, worked in the long-term care (LTC) insurance field, and in group benefits. In 2013, she decided to make Medicare her primary focus, realizing how so many people were overwhelmed and confused by this program. Her passion is to help educate her clients so they understand the options well enough to make informed decisions about this important part of retirement. More information can be found on her website: CommonwealthMedicareAdvisors.com

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Emily Stone MD, is a Certified Menopause Practitioner at Virginia Physicians for Women. She is fully trained on the latest scientific-based information for providing quality menopause care and improving the health of women during their menopause transition and beyond. Dr. Stone no longer practices obstetrics, but her other areas of interest and expertise include family planning and contraception as well as adolescent and young women's gynecology. She sees patients at VPFW's St. Francis and Prince George offices.

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Damir Strmel has been practicing Tai Chi since 2000 and has been sharing his Tai Chi journey with the LLI community since 2016. In 2021, Damir began sharing his longstanding interest in ethnomusicology by offering Cuban and Brazilian percussion classes in which students learn the fundamentals of polyrhythmic drumming. His third love is developing and employing quantitative investment strategies. He occasionally shares his insights with workshops that focus on his current research and development.

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Kerrigan Sullivan (She/Her) is currently the Department Chair of Performing Arts at Brightpoint and the Producing Artistic Director of the Lynn Theatre. Kerrigan has been in over a hundred plays since she began her career at the age of six. Some of her favorite professional credits include “A Christmas Carol” at Madison Square Garden and “The Batman Forever Stunt Show” at Six Flags Great Adventure. Locally, her favorite roles include Becky in “Becky’s New Car” at CAT Theatre and Dinah in “The Quality of Life” at HATTheatre. She directs locally including, “Wings” (RTCC nominated for Best Director), “The Fourth Wall,” and “This World We Know” at Firehouse Theatre Project. Kerrigan holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from NYU’s Tisch School for the Arts and a Master of Fine Arts from Brooklyn College.

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Michael Sullivan is a mental health nurse practitioner, a writer of children's poetry and stories, and a playwright. He was given the Pewter Plate Award by Highlights Magazine for his contributions to children's literature. Michael completed a mentoring program with Tony winner, David Lindsay-Abaire through Cadence Theater. For more than twenty years he has performed children's theater (improvisational storytelling) in the New York area and then, in Richmond, VA, where he currently resides. His wife Kerrigan founded the theater program at Brightpoint Community College. They have three children together. Michael is a graduate of Brightpoint's nursing program and has not had mushrooms in a very long time.

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Wayne Swatlowski began his adult career as a catholic priest and served for 15 years in various areas of Appalachia. After resigning and marrying, he worked with various non-profit homeless and low-income housing organizations. Wayne graduated summa cum laude from Clown College at John Tyler Community College (now Brightpoint), has been clowning around for about 15 years with Clowns of America International and local Virginia Clown Alley #3. He retired three years ago and is now enjoying volunteer activities, reading, and watching birds and Netflix movies from his recliner. He continues to use bubbles, rocket balloons, and perform a little magic as Basa (his clown alter-ego) and loves the opportunity it provides him to be with kids and the young at heart. Wayne has been an LLI member since 2019.

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Linda Szabo expresses her passion for painting, interest in color, and creative ideas through experimentation with watercolor and other media. She paints beautifully colorful, crisp paintings of landscapes and flora in which her love of the natural world is the essence. As a sought-after watercolor teacher, Linda has taught students of all ages and skill levels for 40+ years and continues to stay connected to her students as they explore their creativity and self-expression. Linda’s teaching style is clear and detailed as she guides her students on how to create beautiful work. Linda earned a graduate degree in textile arts and then honed her painting skills under the personal mentorship of world-renowned watercolor artist and author, Zoltan Szabo, who was also Linda’s husband. She joined LLI in 2021 to take online classes from her home in Arizona.

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Katy Terveer is pursuing her master's degree in public health at Old Dominion University. She has spent the last eight years leading research and thought leadership studies on the changing nature of retirement and purposeful aging. She currently serves as the Director of Youth Family Ministry at her church, Unity Renaissance, where she manages volunteer teachers to support the spiritual growth of young people. She is passionate about creating more opportunities for meaningful engagement between older and younger people.

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Nicole Thomas-Jackson EdD, has been in the fitness industry for over 20 years. A certified fitness instructor since 2001, Nicole has taught group fitness classes in a variety of settings, including high and low impact aerobics, lite physical fitness, and senior fitness. Nicole has also taught elementary physical fitness and currently holds an elementary teaching certificate and administrative endorsement.

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Victor Thompson earned a BA in English Literature from Middlebury College (1963), an MA in English Literature from Rutgers University (1966), and a PhD in English and American Literature from Rutgers University (1972). He has published the following books: Eudora Welty: A Reference Guide (1976); The Trumpets of Jericho: A Romantic Novel about Bands and Musicians in the American Civil War (2004); Safe at Home: Baseball and Other Forms of Life in a Small New Jersey Town (2007) and Muses of Fire (2021). Vic has also written numerous articles and book reviews and performed with the Readers Theater and the Ya Ha Players at LLI. He taught at the University of Cincinnati (1966-1970) and Thomas Nelson Community College (1970-present), where he is now a Professor Emeritus and Adjunct Professor. He is married with three children and four grandchildren. He enjoys singing with the Virginians Barbershop Harmony Society, wood carving, swimming, dog walking, and more! Vic and his wife, Sharon, have been LLI members since 2013.

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Emma Tilley holds a bachelor's degree in Urban and Regional Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University and is continuing her studies at VCU as a graduate student in the Master of Urban and Regional Planning program. With a strong passion for community development and inclusive urban design, Emma's academic and professional focus is on creating livable, sustainable environments for people of all backgrounds. To culminate her graduate studies, she is developing a comprehensive professional plan exploring strategies for successful aging in place in Chesterfield County.

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Donna Tolliver has always been interested in the liberal arts and the social sciences, earning her BA in English literature and psychology, and her MS and PhD in clinical psychology. In more recent decades, she has been enjoying country life on a horse (and dog, cat, and parrot) farm in rural Virginia, while also loving the rich history and vibrant cultural arts scene of our region. Donna has performed in local theater productions with Southside Area Community Theater, Bifocals at CAT, and LLI's own Advanced Readers Theater.

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James Triesler has been educating and entertaining students of all ages for over thirty years. He currently serves as the Director of Education at the Virginia War Memorial and as Historian for the National Battle of the Bulge Association. Jim has a BA in political science from East Carolina University and a MEd from Virginia Commonwealth University. For twenty years he taught social studies at Clover Hill High School in Chesterfield County. He and his students were the recipients of a Save Our History Award, from the History Channel, for their class project on WWII. Jim has been the Chesterfield County Teacher of the Year and the Virginia Region One Teacher of the Year. He loves learning and teaching about history!

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Julia Van Buskirk enjoys dancing, cooking, sewing, knitting, and spending time with her family. She is happy to have been an LLI member since 2018.

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Don Vaught is the president of Vaught, Spangler & Associates Financial Services. Don graduated from Greensboro College with a degree in business and economics and has built experience working for companies such as NCNB (now Bank of America), Lincoln Financial, and Edward Jones. He has experience in banking, regional sales, national sales, marketing, and as a business owner. As a financial advisor, Don understands the issues people face throughout their lives, and he believes his role is to be a teacher and a coach for his clients while bringing his own financial experience to help them make educated decisions. Don loves the Midlothian community, and works with organizations like the Brandermill Rotary Club, the Boy Scouts of America, the Midlothian YMCA, and Woodlake United Methodist Church. When time allows, Don enjoys kayaking and participating in charity golf tournaments. Don met his wife Jane at Greensboro College, and they have one son, Andrew.

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Dean Vondras is a professor of psychology. He has a B.A. in music from Southern Illinois University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. He has served as a post-doctoral fellow at Duke University’s Behavior Medicine Research Center and as a research associate at the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at Washington University in St. Louis, Since 2000, Dean has taught at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. His research interests include the intertwining of health and psychological processes in adult development and aging. His latest book is entitled “Celebrating the Arts of Living.”

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Stone Wahl has a PhD in Quantum Physics; was published in Aerodynamics, in Physics, and in Finance; was lead investigator for a patent in DVR processes; and was on an Emmy-winning team. After working as a software development analyst and project manager in various industries, he made a career change in 2018 to full-time grandpa and professional disc golfer (PDGA #68590). Stone is active in his church choir, Bible studies, and children’s ministry, and serves as the treasurer for the River City Disc Golf Club, which he led through 501(c)3 certification and through which he runs youth clinics and tournaments. He has been an LLI member since 2019.

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Samuel Ward received his PhD in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in orbital mechanics. While there, he taught courses in the aerospace engineering department. Dr. Ward has worked for Lockheed Missiles and Space Co on the Tomahawk Cruise Missile program and as a civilian analyst and manager for the US Air Force in US Space Command, Air Force Space Command, and NORAD. He completed a 30-year Air Force and Air Force Reserve career as a pilot and as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) at Air Force Space Command and the 50th Air Force Space Wing, where several DoD satellite constellations are managed and operated. He also holds an Airline Transport Pilot rating with the FAA. Dr. Ward has been an LLI member since 2023.

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Jon Waybright is a field archaeologist and assistant professor in Religious Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University where he has taught courses since 1997, focusing on World Religions, Biblical Studies, and Near Eastern Archaeology. He earned his Master of Theological Studies from Boston University’s School of Theology and holds degrees in History and Religious Studies from VCU. Mr. Waybright’s field experience is expansive and focuses on southern Israel. While spending a dozen seasons excavating at Ashkelon, he has conducted field research at Khirbet Qeiyafa, Tell Lachish, and Khirbet al-Rai. He has been the Experiential Coordinator for the School of World Studies since 2013 and is also a core faculty member in the VCU Open Minds Program with the Richmond City Justice Center where classes are held in tandem with both VCU students and incarcerated residents. Mr. Waybright leads a study abroad program to Israel in the summers, where students engage in archaeological research with a multi-university team of researchers.

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Douglas Wayne MD, recently retired from OrthoVirginia where he was the medical director of the electrodiagnostic laboratory. He practiced medicine in the Richmond area for 40 years, specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation with an emphasis on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal, spine, and nerve injuries/diseases. Dr. Wayne has been an LLI member since 2023.

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Geneva Weidhaas has a BA in American Studies from the University of Virginia and a penchant for public history. She has spent three years elevating the power of place in historic houses across the Richmond region and now works as the site coordinator at the John Marshall House, a Preservation Virginia historic site. Preservation Virginia is no stranger to LLI, and Geneva is excited to be a part of the LLI faculty!

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Heather Weidner has been a cop’s kid, technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager. Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew. She writes the Pearly Girls Mysteries, the Delanie Fitzgerald Mysteries, the Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries, and the Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries. She is a member of Sisters in Crime National, Central Virginia, Chessie, and Guppies, and the Grand Canyon Writers, International Thriller Writers, and James River Writers. Heather blogs regularly with the Writers Who Kill. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.

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E. Ayn Welleford PhD, has taught extensively in the areas of lifespan development, developmental gerontology, trends in gerontology, and ethical decision-making. As an associate professor and the gerontologist for Community Voice, she works to make our community a great place for all people to GROW older by bridging classroom and community, affirming and equipping our workforce through appreciative education, and supporting us all in learning to love our longevity. Dr. Welleford leads VCU GeroAging Community and Continuing Education whose mission is to equip and affirm Virginia’s eldercare workforce community to bring forth meaningful change. She has been known to say, “Let’s do something that does something.”

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Donna Whitfield was born and raised in Newport News. She received a BA in English from the College of William and Mary and went on to teach English in grades 6-12 for thirty years. In the early 2000s, she took what was to be the first of many beading classes and was hooked. Donna was an artist in residence at the Crossroads Art Center, and today she specializes in bead embroidered necklaces and bracelets. She teaches three beading courses; one to make a beaded lanyard for the LLI name tag, one to make a necklace with matching earrings, and one to learn the basic beading skills needed to make jewelry. She has been an LLI member since 2012.

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Maha Whitfield is a native of Cairo, Egypt, and a graduate of Cairo University, majoring in Egyptian History, Monuments and Art. She worked for ten years as an Egyptologist and professional guide, leading French, British and American groups to historical and cultural sites in Egypt. Since moving to Midlothian in 1989, she has been involved in the enrichment program with Chesterfield County Public Schools. Maha has lectured at Women's clubs as well as the Science Museum.

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Amanda Williams is the Director of the MacArthur Memorial. Amanda graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College with a B.A. in History & Art History and later earned her M.A. in History from Old Dominion University. She began her career as an Archaeologist at Historic Jamestowne before serving as Education Manager for the MacArthur Memorial. She specializes in military history and women’s history and is the host of the MacArthur Memorial and the World War I podcasts.

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Lee Winne grew up on his parents’ guest ranch near Reno, Nevada. He attended local public schools, graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno with a B.A. in Journalism. For three years during college, Lee worked as a photographer and reporter for the local afternoon newspaper. Following college, he was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Army where he was assigned as a public information officer and troop commander in the Transportation Corps. After the military, Lee attended law school, graduating with a Juris Doctorate degree from the California Western School of Law in San Diego, and was admitted to the State Bar of California. Lee then enjoyed a 40-year career in contract management with the engineering and construction industry. His work included assignments on oil, gas, petrochemical, power generation, and nuclear projects in the USA, as well as more than 10 years on work assignments in the Middle East, Asia, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Lee is now retired and spends his time on church activities, reading, and taking classes at LLI Chesterfield, where he has been an active member since 2022.

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Alan Winter has published six novels, including two collaborations with litigating attorney and former federal judge, Herbert J. Stern. His novel “Savior’s Day” was a Kirkus Best Book Selection of 2013. “Wolf” and “Sins of the Fathers” are suspense/thrillers about the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party built around little-known facts that resonate with today’s headlines. Alan graduated from Rutgers with a degree in history and has advanced degrees from both NYU and Columbia.

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Jordan Witt is the founder of and a physical therapist (PT) at Preventative Physical Therapy in Midlothian. He graduated from UVA before beginning PT school at VCU, where he received a doctorate in physical therapy. Since then, he has become a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and is Dry Needling certified. Dr. Witt works with patients of all ages, but most commonly he works with active older adults and people on Medicare. He is excited to bring his knowledge and experience to the LLI community.

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Nena Woods has a BA in French and Spanish from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and has taught all levels of Spanish since 1981. Her latest experience was teaching K-8th grade at the Sabot at Stony Point private school here in Richmond. She has traveled many times to Spain especially the Canary Islands where her mother's family lives.

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Sharry Woods LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Chippenham Hospital’s Tucker Pavilion, where she is the director of clinical operations.

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George Worthington is the Dementia Services Director for Virginia's Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) where he supports the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Commission, drives the implementation of the Dementia State Plan, reviews existing programs, and works with other agencies to more effectively deliver services to Virginians living with dementia. A native of Charlottesville, George began working in human services after shifting careers from economics. George has a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from LaTrobe University in Melbourne, Australia and a Master of Science in Economics from the London School of Economics.

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Michael Wriston has been an adjunct member of the faculty at the University of Richmond for over 25 years and is the founder and president of The Reinvention Factory and The Competitive Edge. An established and published expert on leadership development and the creation of high-performance teams and cultures, Dr. Wriston has most recently developed broad and practical expertise on the development of talent, nurturing personal resiliency and enabling people to discover their gifts, their story and their life's purpose to ensure that they're able to fulfill their destiny. A native Vermonter and guardian of the environment, Dr. Wriston is a long-time soccer coach and the proud father of four remarkable sons.

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