Board of Directors

Susan Moss - President
A long time supporter of adult day services, Mrs. Moss has always tried to give back to organizations or causes that have touched her life personally. Since her father was an Alzheimer's patient, she is very interested in doing what she can to help improve the quality of life for seniors who are suffering from dementia in Rutherford County. As a graduate of UT Knoxville, with a BS degree in education Mrs. Moss was a deaf education major and taught hearing impaired children in Nashville for 8 years. She has served the community as a member of the Symphony Board, is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Murfreesboro, past president of Friends of Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, Rutherford Co. Chapter, former board member for Miriam's Promise Adoption Agency, and is an active member of Charity Circle of Murfreesboro, a women's organization that raises funds for local charities.

Janet K. Belsky, PhD - Vice President
Dr. Belsky, an Associate Professor of Psychology at Middle Tennessee State University, and a PhD graduate of the University of Chicago, has been teaching courses in developmental psychology and writing college textbooks for the past 30 years. Her textbook, The Psychology of Aging, now in its third edition, has been used around the world. In addition she has written a popular book, "Here Tomorrow", the only book to survey the research on aging for older adults. Dr. Belsky has worked as a clinical psychologist in nursing homes, and was the first clinical psychologist to work in a long-term care facility. Dr. Belsky's 2006 testbook on lifespan development is entitled Experiencing the Lifespan.

Barbara Thomas – Secretary
Mrs. Thomas received her graduate training in adult education at Vanderbilt University. During her career with PLATO Learning, Inc., she initially worked as an Education Specialist, coordinating the implementation of new PLATO accounts and providing consulting and training services on PLATO courseware, technology and management systems. Mrs. Thomas moved up to serve in the position of PLATO'S Senior Regional Education Consultant, then served as the Director of Operations - International, and ultimately served as the Director - Professional Services (PS) - East Region. She is the recipient of the President's Special Recognition Award (1999, 2000) and the Education Specialist of the Year (1997, 1993).

Dan Sharley - Treasurer
Born and raised in Memphis, Tenn., but a resident of Murfreesboro since 1994, Dan is a communications supervisor for State Farm and an accomplished artist. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Dayton, and obtained his MBA from the University of Memphis. Dan has been very active with the National Kidney Foundation of Middle Tennessee, including serving as a committee member for the group's annual Kidney Walk for the past five years. He has donated artwork for auctions to benefit several area organizations, including Special Kids, Christmas for the Children and the Boys and Girls Club. Recently, he donated four prints to the Tennessee Parks and Greenways organization to help support their fundraising efforts. Dan has joined his wife, Betsy, in increased involvement with Elder's First, and in 2007, he helped to secure a $2500 grant to the organization from State Farm.

Maxine Drake, MBA –Director
Mrs. Drake, co-host of Christian Talk Show, "Straight from the Heart" is a MBA graduate of Middle Tennessee State University. She is currently a board member of Generation for Creation, an inter-community visual and performing arts program for children. She is dedicated to increasing an appreciation to foster truly prosperous, abundant lives for children, single parents, as well as for the elderly.

George S. Hester, M.D. - Director
Dr. Hester is a graduate of the University of Tennessee Medical School, Memphis. He completed his internship at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and his residency at Emory University Hospital and the Veterans Hospital, Atlanta. Dr. Hester's practice in Internal Medicine has spanned several decades. His professional affiliations include the Southern Medical Association, Stones River/Rutherford County Academy of Medicine, the Tennessee Medical Association, and the American Medical Association.

Ann Horton Hoke - Director
Mrs. Hoke, an Affiliate Broker, SRES, located in Murfreesboro, has both volunteer and work experience with adult day services. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Mrs. Hoke has maintained a dedication to assisting elders throughout her life. Her current efforts are focused on assisting people with the challenges they face in housing as they age.

Tony V. Johnston, Ph.D. - Director
Dr. Johnston, an Associate Professor of Agribusiness (Enology and Viticulture) at Middle Tennessee State University, and a PhD graduate of the University of Arkansas, has been teaching courses in food safety, food processing and food marketing for the past 12 years. His six years experience in the food industry working in Quality Control and Research and Development Management prior to his current position allow him to relate food quality and marketing theory to the real world with ease. He is a professional member of the Institute of Food Technologists and the American Society for Enology and Viticulture, and a regionally recognized expert in grape and wine production. Dr. Johnston is keenly aware of the need for elder care, having assisted with the management of his father’s diabetes and post-stroke care for over 22 years. He moved his parents from rural Virginia to Murfreesboro to allow him to better support them in their latter years, and has assisted in the fundraising for Elders First.

Vince O'Brien - Secretary-Treasurer
A systems analyst for Goodrich, Inc. of Tullahoma and a graduate of Rutgers University, Mr. O'Brien shares a vision of providing help for families who are dedicated to keeping their family elders at home as long as possible. He is a caregiver to his 97-year-old mother.

Betsy Sharley - Director
Mrs. Sharley, an Affiliate Broker/Investor with Keller Williams Realty, has practiced real estate in the Murfreesboro area for 16 years. Born in Lincoln, Neb., but raised in Murfreesboro, Betsy attended Middle Tennessee State University. Before entering real estate, she pursued a career in property management, including extended stints in Boston, Washington D.C. and Columbus, Ohio. Since returning to Murfreesboro, Betsy has been extremely active in community and charitable causes, including the Rutherford County Kidney Support Group (publicity chair and board member), the National Kidney Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Special Kids, Christmas for the Children, the Murfreesboro/Rutherford County Center for the Arts and Elder's First. Her first experience with the latter stemmed from reading an article about the organization in the newspaper. Betsy's mother and aunt currently provide full-time support and care for Betsy's grandmother -- so the goals and pursuits of Elder's First naturally drew her attention. A long-time supporter of elder care, Betsy is well aware of the demands placed on caregivers and the need for third party assistance to ensure the betterment of life of all of those involved.

Kent Syler - Director
Mr. Syler serves as District Chief of Staff for the Honorable Bart Gordon, Representative from Tennessee, 6th District. Kent completed a master’s degree at MTSU and, in addition to his many official responsibilities for Rep. Gordon, he teaches a popular course on political campaign management at MTSU. His family has also been touched by Alzheimer’s.

May Caldwell - Director Emeritus
A thirty-six year veteran of providing services and programming to elders, Mrs. Caldwell brings extensive and varied experience to the Board. She was a member of the first Senior Center Advisory Board in Murfreesboro and helped direct the Mid-Cumberland van service in its early years. She assisted in The Guidance Center's Adult Day Treatment Program for eight years and worked in the New Day Adult Day Care program there. Mrs. Caldwell has been on staff at the current senior center ADS program from the beginning in 1999.

Daisy E. Gannon, PharmD - Director Emeritus
As a leader in promoting the Dispensary of Hope, Mrs. Gannon, a graduate of the UT College of Pharmacy, has demonstrated commitment to supporting solutions to health-related problems of the Rutherford Co. community. She is a board member of Community Helpers.

Executive Director

Tina O'Brien
Mrs. O'Brien earned her undergraduate degree at Duke University and her Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from MTSU. Her thesis research study in adult day services was awarded an Honorable Mention by the American Public Health Association in 2002. It has been Mrs. O'Brien 's life goal to help elders remain at home and have a high quality of life. She led the start-up of an adult day services program in 1999 and has been director of that program since the beginning. Mrs. O'Brien previously served for twenty years as a geriatric counselor for groups and individuals in nursing homes with The Guidance Center in Murfreesboro and also directed the adult day care program there. She is the President of the Tennessee Association of Adult Day Services (TAADS) and a Licensed Psychological Examiner.