Advisory Council Member Biographies

This position is currently vacant.

Nancy Rowe was selected to represent the City of Camarillo.

Carina Forsythe was selected to represent the City of Fillmore.

Anna Reilly was selected to represent the City of Fillmore.

This seat is currently vacant.

This seat is currently vacant.

Dierdre Daly was selected to represent the City of Ojai.

Bill Nugent's professional life involved 38 years of law enforcement. He spent 9 years with the Port Hueneme Police Department, 22 years with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and 8 years with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. Bill and his wife of 61 years have two children. He is currently is a board member for Help of Ojai, a counselor for the Heath Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program and an AARP income tax preparer.

Resident of West Ventura County since 1967, Clark Owens was an area realtor for 45 years. He serves on the Oxnard Senior Services Commission for a new senior center. As co-chair of the VC Coalition of Home Modification, he helped seniors and adults with disabilities continue to live independently. He has also held roles on the Ventura Planning Commission, was Chairman of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, and served as President of the Ventura Board of Realtors.

Alice Frost Sweetland was born at Lying Inn Hospital in Oxnard. She has volunteered with St. John’s Hospital Auxiliary for almost 50 years, served on the Board of St. John’s Healthcare Foundation, and belonged to VC Forty Leaguers. She is chair of the Oxnard Senior Services Commission and the coordinator of a speakers’ bureau of senior citizens for the VCOE. A recent widow after 52 years of marriage, she spent most of her married life in Oxnard. Alice has 3 children and 2 grandchildren.

The City of Port Hueneme has a vacant position on the VCAAA's Advisory Council. For more information about the application process please contact Anna Hanely at ahanely@cityofporthueneme.org.

The City of Port Hueneme has a vacant position on the VCAAA's Advisory Council. For more information about the application process please contact Anna Hanely at ahanely@cityofporthueneme.org.

Vacant

Dr. Maria Munguía Wellman, LISW, LCSW has served as clinical staff at the University of New Mexico Children’s Psychiatric Center, and as Assistant Professor at New Mexico Highlands University. She taught human diversity/multicultural theory, clinical practice, and qualitative research at NMHU. She remains committed to the ongoing interdisciplinary study, practice, and teaching of identity, community, and culture.

Dr. Marietta Sperry has worked as a nurse for over 40 years. She has been involved in volunteering in her church and teaching CPR in community settings. She has a Master’s in Nursing Education and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. She and her husband of 34 years, Charles Sperry, have 5 children and 5 grandchildren. She looks forward to advising the VCAAA on issues relating to the health and nutrition of seniors as she moves forward to the next chapter of her life.

Janet Plant was selected to represent the City of Simi Valley.

Loretta graduated with her Masters in Nursing from UCSF (University of California San Francisco Medical Center). She has had a rich career in nursing from staff nurse to Nursing Administration - starting new projects. Since 1982 she has been involved in all aspects of the Electronic Health Record. She served on the Council on Aging for Thousand Oaks for 6 years, currently she is involved with the Conejo Valley Village.

Stephanie Belding has been a Ventura County resident for more than 40 years. She currently serves as a Commissioner and vice-chair for the Thousands Oaks Council on Aging. She is a retired school teacher with nearly 40 years dedicated to serving students in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

William (“Bill”) Nelson is a senior level human resources professional with more than 35 years’ experience in both for-profit and non-profit organizations across diverse locations in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia. He is an active volunteer with Caregivers, Humane Society, and sits on the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles board of directors.

This position is currently vacant.

Smita Dandekar enjoys teaching ``Yoga for Wellness`` classes in the Simi Valley Senior Center. As a retired person, she works with the members of the VCAAA Advisory Council and volunteers to help seniors in any way she can.

Sylvia Taylor Stein is Executive Director of Long Term Care Services of Ventura County Ombudsman Program. She serves on the board of the Calif. Long Term Care Ombudsman Association and is a member & former officer of the National Association of Local LTCO. She is a member of Consumer Voice and CANHR Least Medicating Team and chairs the Committee for an Independent State Ombudsman, sponsor of SB 345, LTCO Program Independence and Improvement Act of 2012.

Martha Shapiro, LCSW, is director of programs for Senior Concerns, overseeing the Adult Day Program and the Caregiver Support Center, ensuring participants are treated with dignity and respect to maximize quality of life. She earned a Master’s in Social Welfare from UCLA and holds a License in Clinical Social Work. Martha serves on the LGBT Aging Coalition of Ventura County, Ventura County Compassionate Care Coalition, and Dementia Friendly Ventura County.

Jaydon Gaines was selected to represent older adults and people with disabilities.