Meet The AFO Staff

Kathleen Winters, M.S., LPN

Executive Director

Kathleen was born and raised in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. She has one brother and one sister. Kathleen and her husband Pat have been married 29 years and share their home with Duke and Maze, their spoiled dogs. They have three married daughters and nine grandchildren. Kathleen and Pat moved to Florida in 2003.  She earned a Master of Science degree in Human Services, with a Specialization in Management of Non-profit Agencies, a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services Management, an Associate degree in Human Services and is a licensed nurse.

In her career, she has advocated for children and families, victims of child sexual assault/child abuse, domestic violence, and the elderly through her work with Head Start, Migrant Head Start, a Children’s Advocacy Center as well as geriatric and obstetrics nursing.  She has many years of organizational management experience in the non-profit sector.  She serves on the Hernando County Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board as the medical representative.

Kathleen is a certified Domestic Violence Hotline Counselor and a certified Train the Trainer of the Second Step Violence Prevention Program.  Additionally, she completed certification in Massachusetts in basic and small claims mediation. Kathleen is a certified trainer of ADRD (Alzheimer’s disease & related Disorders) for Assisted Living Facilities, Home Health, and Hospice through University of South Florida and the Department of Elder Affairs. She has been the Executive Director for the Alzheimer’s Family Organization since December of 2015.

Having seen what caregiver’s go through when a loved one has Alzheimer’s or other dementia in her own family, she felt a calling to work at the AFO in an effort to make a difference in the lives of those walking this journey.

 

Alicia Vegerano

Administrative Manager

Alicia was born in Queens, NY and lived there until her family moved to Spring Hill in 1987 when she was at the age of twelve. She was raised under the influence of her Dad’s Trinidadian culture – so she  enjoys curry, calypso, reggae, and all island vibes. She is the youngest of three children, with her sister Peggy being the oldest and her brother Rudy being the middle child. Her sister passed away from Leukemia when Alicia was just sixteen years old. That was a very difficult time for her and her family.

She is  a graduate of Springstead High School, and shortly thereafter moved to California. She missed her family, so she returned to Hernando County.  When she returned home, she returned with her husband Ed that she had met and married in California and who was enlisted in the military (Marine Corp.)  Three months later his service brought them to North Carolina.  After her husband left the military in 2000, they moved back to Hernando County. They have seven adult children, three boys and four girls as well as five grandchildren, four girls and one boy, and one on the way. Her mother lives with them as well as their two dogs, Chewy and Twixy.  Alicia and her Mom were caregivers for my dad who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and eventually passed from the disease in 2006.

Alicia earned her diploma in Bookkeeping and Payroll and went on to earn a Bachelor’s in Science in Accounting. She received her Master’s in Business Administration in 2015. Having a deep understanding of the affects that Alzheimer’s disease has on caregivers, families, and the community overall, having had cared for her Dad, when the opportunity to come to work at the Alzheimer’s Family Organization came about, she knew that was where she needed to be. In her personal time, she loves the football season and is a huge fan of the Patriots!!! She also enjoys crocheting, reading, and crafting of any kind – and loves Pinterest!

 

 

Teresa Haver

Community Liaison

Coverage Area: Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough , Lake, Pinellas, Pasco, Marion, Sumter Counties

Teresa Haver is a Community Liaison serving in all eight counties. She promotes all aspects of the organization through education, marketing, public relations, membership, sponsorship, and special events. She recently has added the duties of marketing for the AFO as well. Teresa serves on the Hernando County Continuity of Care Board as well as participates with different planning committees. She is in the final year of completing her bachelor’s in communications and journalism from the University of Phoenix. Prior to joining the AFO, she worked as a licensed mortgage loan originator and a patient recruitment coordinator for research that includes ADRD.

Teresa is native of Michigan where she and her mother owned and operated a state licensed daycare. She and her husband Sam relocated to Florida four years ago in Sam’s acceptance of a career advancement. They enjoy numerous outdoor adventures such as kayaking, camping, hiking, ATV’s and UTV’s. They also enjoy mud obstacle courses and running in charity events.  They have a blended family of nine wonderful children and eight amazing grandchildren, whom they enjoy spending time with. They also have two young German Sheppard pups that keep them very active as well.

Jackie Kuhn-Damron

Community Educator

Coverage Area: Sumter & Marion County

Jackie was born and raised in Minnesota. After high school, she moved to Marion, Indiana to attend Indiana Wesleyan University. She graduated with a BS in Sociology, Social Studies, and Psychology. Jackie began her career in Long Term Care at age 16 and has  never left it. She felt God led her in this area to serve a very special generation. She went on to finish a degree in Social Work and then a master’s in management. She eventually obtained her Administrators license and continued that journey until she retired and moved to Florida.

Her years of service in Long Term Care have included many areas. Since 1994 she has been an Executive Director overseeing Memory Care, Assisted Living and Skilled care

Jackie feels blessed to still have both her parents living in Nashville, Tennessee.  Jackie has one son, Chris, and his wife Monica and two beautiful granddaughters who live in Wabash, Indiana. She also has one daughter, Kendra, and her husband Bruce and one grandson and two granddaughters. They live in Fishers, Indiana. Jackie and her husband, Dave, moved to The Villages in 2014

When she is not working, she enjoys a round of golf, shopping for bargains, time with friends, and flying back and forth to Indiana to see family.  She and Dave have enjoyed old and new friendships made and our opportunity to serve in our church.

 

Jamilya Rahming

Community Educator

Coverage Area: Lake &  Sumter  County

Jamilya Rahming is the Lake County Community Educator with AFO, where she brings awareness and provides education to the community.  She is also  a support group leader in Lake County. Jamilya is a native of Lake County and moved to Grand Island with her parents and 3 siblings at the age of 2 years old.

In 2013, Jamilya graduated from Eustis High School, and was the only student to receive an AA degree from Lake-Sumter State College simultaneously. After high school, she attended the University of South Florida, and graduated in 2016 with a bachelor's degree in Health Science.

Prior to joining the AFO, she worked as medical scheduler for 2 ½ years. She then resigned to care for her father full time, after a severe accident. This experience shaped her view and developed her desire to assist caregivers.

She currently lives in Grand Island with her parents and dog, Kori. In her spare time, you’ll find her singing at church, working on her blog and spending quality time with nieces and friends.”

 

COMING SOON-Community Educator serving Pasco, N. Hillsborough and N. Pinellas