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Staff
Amber Smith
Amber Smith began her career in public service in 2001 as a part-time employee at the New Hanover County Senior Resource Center. In 2003, Amber became fulltime as the retired and senior volunteer program (RSVP) coordinator and later as social worker for the Life Enrichment Program. In 2012, Amber transferred to the New Hanover County Department of Social Services as an adult protective services social worker, where she assisted disabled adults who were in need of protective service from alleged abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation. After transferring back to the Senior Resource Center in 2014, she served as the social work supervisor. In 2015, she was promoted to director.
Before becoming director, Amber developed and implemented the special-needs registry for New Hanover County and collaborated with the American Red Cross, New Hanover County Emergency Management, WECT-TV, and the National Weather Service to educate citizens on disaster preparedness. Her passion is to lead a group of dedicated workers and to continue her public service career to better the lives of older adults and caregivers by promoting wellness, independence, and enhancing quality of life services.
Amber is a 2001 graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington and holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree. Outside the senior resource center, Amber enjoys quality time with her husband, 3 children and dog.
Jeanette Bell
Karla Bridgers
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Margaret Bryant
Bartle Canny
Maya is from Greensboro, NC and has recently relocated to Wilmington. Born and raised in Greensboro she went to UNCG. Her undergraduate degree is in Communication Studies and she also has her Master’s in Business Administration. She has a passion for helping others and has worked in social work and non profit for the past 12 years; primarily managing job development programs for adults with developmental disabilities and mental illness. In her time off, Maya enjoys raising her 3 year old daughter, baking, and anything crafty.
Marlene Carney
Maya is from Greensboro, NC and has recently relocated to Wilmington. Born and raised in Greensboro she went to UNCG. Her undergraduate degree is in Communication Studies and she also has her Master’s in Business Administration. She has a passion for helping others and has worked in social work and non profit for the past 12 years; primarily managing job development programs for adults with developmental disabilities and mental illness. In her time off, Maya enjoys raising her 3 year old daughter, baking, and anything crafty.
Ellen Connor
Shantel joined the Senior Resource Center in 2011. She had previously worked at the Eastern Wake Senior Center in Wendell and the Northern Wake Senior Center in Wake Forest. Shantel is a 2015 graduate of the Ann Johnson Institute for Senior Center Management and a 2017 graduate of the SERVE Professional Development Academy. Outside of work, Shantel enjoys writing song lyrics and composing music on her Roland and Korg synthesizers.
Brigid Cotton
Shantel joined the Senior Resource Center in 2011. She had previously worked for Resources for Seniors of Raleigh for 7 years, sharing time at both the Eastern Wake Senior Center in Wendell and the Northern Wake Senior Center in Wake Forest. She has been selected Employee of the Year twice; once at Resource for Seniors and also at NFE Technologies. Shantel is a 2015 graduate of the Ann Johnson Institute for Senior Center Management and a 2017 graduate of the SERVE Professional Development Academy. Outside of work, Shantel enjoys songwriting and music. She founded the Central Carolina Songwriters Association of Raleigh in 1997. In her free time she writes song lyrics and composes music on her Roland and Korg synthesizers.
Shantel Davis
Shantel joined the Senior Resource Center in 2011. She had previously worked for Resources for Seniors of Raleigh for 7 years, sharing time at both the Eastern Wake Senior Center in Wendell and the Northern Wake Senior Center in Wake Forest. She has been selected Employee of the Year twice; once at Resource for Seniors and also at NFE Technologies. Shantel is a 2015 graduate of the Ann Johnson Institute for Senior Center Management and a 2017 graduate of the SERVE Professional Development Academy. Outside of work, Shantel enjoys songwriting and music. She founded the Central Carolina Songwriters Association of Raleigh in 1997. In her free time she writes song lyrics and composes music on her Roland and Korg synthesizers.
Chris Dodson
Kelly recently moved to Wilmington in March 2016 and was born and raised in Central Florida. She has many years of experience as a volunteer coordinator with a public school system, animal shelter, and non-profit hospice organization in Florida. Working with volunteers has been a blessing to her, as she gets to be part of their volunteer experience. Her passion is helping people and animals. Kelly has two daughters…one who is finishing up her bachelor’s degree, and the other is her dog Oreo. Both are the loves of her life. During her time off, she enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her family.
Kelly Gill
Kelly recently moved to Wilmington in March 2016 and was born and raised in Central Florida. She has many years of experience as a volunteer coordinator with a public school system, animal shelter, and non-profit hospice organization in Florida. Working with volunteers has been a blessing to her, as she gets to be part of their volunteer experience. Her passion is helping people and animals. Kelly has two daughters…one who is finishing up her bachelor’s degree, and the other is her dog Oreo. Both are the loves of her life. During her time off, she enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her family.
Valorie Hatten
Rebecca "Becky" Hayes
Allie began her career working as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor for a local opiate treatment center in New Hanover County for three years. Moving forward, she became a Family Advocate & Health & Nutrition Coordinator for the New Hanover County Head Start Program, where she enjoyed building relationships with not just the children, but their extended families. Allie is passionate about family and community support, as well as positive relationship building at all ages. She hopes to build relationships that benefit the population here at the Senior Resource Center, while also showing the benefit of the Foster Grandparent Program in hopes of growth for our county.
Allie is a 2008 graduate of East Carolina University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitative Services. Allie recently graduated from the Masters of Educational Leadership, Advocacy and Policy Program at UNC-Wilmington. When Allie is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two dogs.
Tina Heath
Allie began her career working as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor for a local opiate treatment center in New Hanover County for three years. Moving forward, she became a Family Advocate & Health & Nutrition Coordinator for the New Hanover County Head Start Program, where she enjoyed building relationships with not just the children, but their extended families. Allie is passionate about family and community support, as well as positive relationship building at all ages. She hopes to build relationships that benefit the population here at the Senior Resource Center, while also showing the benefit of the Foster Grandparent Program in hopes of growth for our county.
Allie is a 2008 graduate of East Carolina University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitative Services. Allie recently graduated from the Masters of Educational Leadership, Advocacy and Policy Program at UNC-Wilmington. When Allie is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two dogs.
Allie Hernandez
Allie began her career working as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor for a local opiate treatment center in New Hanover County for three years. Moving forward, she became a Family Advocate & Health & Nutrition Coordinator for the New Hanover County Head Start Program, where she enjoyed building relationships with not just the children, but their extended families. Allie is passionate about family and community support, as well as positive relationship building at all ages. She hopes to build relationships that benefit the population here at the Senior Resource Center, while also showing the benefit of the Foster Grandparent Program in hopes of growth for our county.
Allie is a 2008 graduate of East Carolina University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitative Services. Allie recently graduated from the Masters of Educational Leadership, Advocacy and Policy Program at UNC-Wilmington. When Allie is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two dogs.
Greg Kennedy
Jeffrey has been a social worker since 2002 working with various populations (birth to 100+). Since 2014 he has worked exclusively with the adult population. Jeffrey joined the Senior Resource Center in 2016. Jeffrey graduated from Appalachian State University in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and he graduated from Liberty University in 2006 with a master’s degree in Human Services/Counseling. Jeffrey has helped senior adults in many areas when facing challenges in everyday life. His experiences include an array of services provided at the Department of Social Services level prior to joining the Senior Resource Center. In Jeffrey’s current role he serves as one of three dedicated Life Enrichment Program Social Workers.
Jeffrey Lee
Jeffrey has been a social worker since 2002 working with various populations (birth to 100+). Since 2014 he has worked exclusively with the adult population. Jeffrey joined the Senior Resource Center in 2016. Jeffrey graduated from Appalachian State University in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and he graduated from Liberty University in 2006 with a master’s degree in Human Services/Counseling. Jeffrey has helped senior adults in many areas when facing challenges in everyday life. His experiences include an array of services provided at the Department of Social Services level prior to joining the Senior Resource Center. In Jeffrey’s current role he serves as one of three dedicated Life Enrichment Program Social Workers.
Teresa Nelson
Harold "Sam" Norris
Allie began her career working as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor for a local opiate treatment center in New Hanover County for three years. Moving forward, she became a Family Advocate & Health & Nutrition Coordinator for the New Hanover County Head Start Program, where she enjoyed building relationships with not just the children, but their extended families. Allie is passionate about family and community support, as well as positive relationship building at all ages. She hopes to build relationships that benefit the population here at the Senior Resource Center, while also showing the benefit of the Foster Grandparent Program in hopes of growth for our county.
Allie is a 2008 graduate of East Carolina University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitative Services. Allie recently graduated from the Masters of Educational Leadership, Advocacy and Policy Program at UNC-Wilmington. When Allie is not working, she enjoys spending time with her fiancée and their two dogs.
Valerie Smith
In May, 2016 Andrew Zeldin happily accepted a position with the New Hanover County Senior Resource Center as the social worker supervisor, managing the Life Enrichment Program. This new position allows Andrew to continue his work with older adults and their loved ones in the local community. Since 2011 Andrew has worked tirelessly as an aging life care professional while also teaching at UNCW as a lecturer in the Gerontology program. Andrew received his master’s degree in Gerontology from UNCW and completed the University of Florida’s Geriatric Care Management Graduate Certificate program. He is an active member of the Aging Life Care Association and a member of the Elderhaus Inc. Board of Directors. In partnership with Alzheimer’s North Carolina, Andrew also facilitates The Forget-Me-Nots, an early-stage support group for people recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other related dementias, as well as their caregivers. Andrew is dedicated to older adults and their families and believes that educating young adults on aging issues will benefit the local community and society as a whole. A married father of three young children, Andrew also remains busy coaching youth soccer and leading a household of avid UNCW Seahawk supporters!
Pamela Wall
In May, 2016 Andrew Zeldin happily accepted a position with the New Hanover County Senior Resource Center as the social worker supervisor, managing the Life Enrichment Program. This new position allows Andrew to continue his work with older adults and their loved ones in the local community. Since 2011 Andrew has worked tirelessly as an aging life care professional while also teaching at UNCW as a lecturer in the Gerontology program. Andrew received his master’s degree in Gerontology from UNCW and completed the University of Florida’s Geriatric Care Management Graduate Certificate program. He is an active member of the Aging Life Care Association and a member of the Elderhaus Inc. Board of Directors. In partnership with Alzheimer’s North Carolina, Andrew also facilitates The Forget-Me-Nots, an early-stage support group for people recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other related dementias, as well as their caregivers. Andrew is dedicated to older adults and their families and believes that educating young adults on aging issues will benefit the local community and society as a whole. A married father of three young children, Andrew also remains busy coaching youth soccer and leading a household of avid UNCW Seahawk supporters!
Andrew Zeldin
In May, 2016 Andrew Zeldin happily accepted a position with the New Hanover County Senior Resource Center as the social worker supervisor, managing the Life Enrichment Program. This new position allows Andrew to continue his work with older adults and their loved ones in the local community. Since 2011 Andrew has worked tirelessly as an aging life care professional while also teaching at UNCW as a lecturer in the Gerontology program. Andrew received his master’s degree in Gerontology from UNCW and completed the University of Florida’s Geriatric Care Management Graduate Certificate program. He is an active member of the Aging Life Care Association and a member of the Elderhaus Inc. Board of Directors. In partnership with Alzheimer’s North Carolina, Andrew also facilitates The Forget-Me-Nots, an early-stage support group for people recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other related dementias, as well as their caregivers. Andrew is dedicated to older adults and their families and believes that educating young adults on aging issues will benefit the local community and society as a whole. A married father of three young children, Andrew also remains busy coaching youth soccer and leading a household of avid UNCW Seahawk supporters!