AFO Board Of Directors
We are grateful to our Board of Directors for volunteering their time, talents, and resources to further the mission of the Alzheimer's Family Organization.
President
Deborah Selsavage
Debbie Selsavage was introduced to dementia when she became a caregiver for her husband. Like many in her situation, she found it almost impossible to find information, support, and resources to deal with her difficult and exhausting task.
She believed there has to be a better way.
Debbie entered the field of memory care when she took a job as an administrative assistant at an assisted living facility, memory care in 2012. Within 18 months she became a certified administrator, earning a Deficiency-Free rating at a memory care facility.
She became a Certified Trainer in Teepa Snow’s highly respected Positive Approach to Care, and in 2015 launched her own company, Coping with Dementia LLC. A company aimed at education, training and bringing awareness to the community of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
It’s mission is to make life better for individuals and families living with dementia.
She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, certified in Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care, and President of the Alzheimer’s Family Organization Board of Directors, has a monthly column in the Citrus County Chronicle. Has been a member of The Alzheimer’s Family Organization since 2005.
Vice President
Bill Tuttle
Bill was born in Alexandria, Virginia and grew up in Richmond, Virginia. He is a graduate of the University of Richmond with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. Bill began his career in the home health industry in 2011 first with Comfort Keepers and has been with Senior Helpers in Hernando, Citrus and East Pasco since 2014. In his role as Client Service Manager has made countless partnerships with many facilities in the service area. He has been married for seventeen years. He has one son and one daughter. His son has four children, ranging in ages 3 years to 20 years in age.
Bill joined the Alzheimer’s Family Organization Board of Directors in July of 2017. Since joining us, he has been a very active participant on the Board. He ensures the Virtual Dementia Tour is available for our events in the service area of Senior Helper’s. Bill has also jumped in with positive feedback on changes we could make to become more successful. He has become the Editor of The Caregiver’s Companion, and serves on the Marketing Sub-committee. Bill brings enthusiasm, knowledge, and commitment to his role on the Board.
Treasurer
Helayne Celano
Helayne joined the Alzheimer’s Family Organization Board in May of 2018, later she was voted in as the Treasurer of the Board. She and her husband are co-owners of Shomax Bookkeeping Solutions located in Spring Hill; her background is in bookkeeping and accounting has been a positive influence for the AFO. She lived in New York for 38 years, South Carolina for 10 years as well as 13 years in Nevada prior to moving to Florida. She has 5 sons and 6 grandchildren.
Helayne has over 35 years’ experience in bookkeeping and accounting and has been in management positions for non-profit organizations. She has served on the Finance Committee for The Humane Society, a member of the Rotary, Committee Chair for the Boy Scouts as well as on their fundraising committee. She was a boy scout merit badge counselor and a Hernando County Chamber Diplomat. In her spare time, Helayne likes to cook and travel.
Secretary
Board Member
Glen Scharfeld
Senior Helpers owner/ CEO, Glen Scharfeld, M.S. is a Home Health Agency Administrator and Senior Care Specialist of several years, who also possesses over 20 years’ experience as a veteran law enforcement officer. As a Sheriff’s patrol supervisor, Glen conducted and oversaw multiple police investigations involving elderly victims. Glen has several years of experience in assisting, supporting and developing important daily solutions for our vulnerable, aging and frail population and their families. Glen works diligently with his team of Nurses and Client Care Team to ensure the safety and protection of Senior Helpers' clients and personnel. Senior Helpers also does very important work in educating Veterans about various types of home based benefits that are available to them. Glen is certified through the State of Florida to teach Alzheimer’s education for Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) to various professionals in the medical community.
Board Member
Michael Benetto
Michael was born in Princeton, New Jersey and relocated to Florida as a child where he grew up in the New Port Richey area. In 2003 he and his wife, Louisa built a home. Michael and Louisa have been married for 18 years and have one son, Christopher who is 17 years old. They have 2 (high energy) Beagles named Baxter & Chelsea. Michael has worked for BB&T for 13 years (9 of which have been in Spring Hill.) His wife is an office manager for Brooks Health and Rehab in Bayonet Point and their son is completing his senior year at Weeki Wachee High School. The Bennetto's hobbies include spending time with their close circle of friends (whom they consider family), camping, trail riding on 4 wheelers, and many other outdoor activities. Michael also enjoys spending time in his community and making a difference where he can. Michael has been a Board member of AFO since 2017.
Board Member
Ron Francis
Ron was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania and moved to Florida after earning his Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Penn State University. Ron has been married to Danielle for over 10 years. They have on daughter, Hayden and one son, Noah. Ron is a Financial Adviser with Edward Jones where he focuses on serving the financial needs of individual investors of all ages and financial means. He has built his business by treating clients as he would want to be treated, a simple idea that still makes sense in today's complex marketplace. Ron serves clients of all backgrounds throughout the country.
Ron was exposed to Dementia at a young age. After watching his great grandmother suffer through the disease, and the impact it had on his family, he has always admired the caregiver's strength and perseverance. Ron joined the Alzheimer's Family Organization Board of Directors in 2017 and works closely with the financial, medical and educational aspect of the organization.
Board Member
Tyler Borowski
Tyler was born and raised in Northern New Jersey, until moving to Florida with his family as a teenager. He and his family relocated to the Sunshine State so his ill grandfather could be in a better environment to enjoy his remaining time on earth. Tyler became committed to the health care field after learning the struggles of his grandfather and developed a passion for serving others in the health care arena. He went on to work in medical practices, hospitals, and rehabs and is currently growing with Concierge Home Care as a Senior Care Liaison since 2015. In 2017, Tyler graduated from Rasmussen College in Ocala with a Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration and is currently on scholarship at the Mitchell-Hamline School of Law to complete his certificate in Law & Leadership in Healthcare. In his free time, Tyler enjoys fishing, boating, running, and working with his animals on the farm in Lady Lake, Florida. As a board member since March 2018, Tyler hopes to grow awareness for Alzheimer's and help others navigate the complexities of health care.
Board Member
Cindy Reed
Cindy Reed was born in Osceola, Iowa and recently relocated to The Villages, Florida to work as President of Parady Financial Group, Inc. Cindy spent most of her career in the insurance industry in Iowa. Cindy graduated from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg with a degree in Psychology. She has two sons, age 21 and age 20 who are both currently studying in college. Cindy joined the Alzheimer’s Family Organization Board of Directors in April 2018. She has experienced firsthand the impact of this disease on family and caretakers and has a great passion to make a difference by serving on the Board.
