2023 Programs of Excellence Series - Social and Support

Dianne Stone has more than 20 years of experience with senior centers and aging issues, primarily as the Director of the Newington Senior and Disabled Center in Newington, Connecticut. Stone has also worked, volunteered, and held leadership positions with a variety of organizations in Connecticut, including Connecticut AgeWell Collaborative, the ADA Coalition of Connecticut, Connecticut Medicaid Oversight Council, and the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity. She joined NCOA in January 2022, as a member of the Center for Healthy Aging, where she is primarily focused on supporting senior centers throughout the country through the ACL-funded Modernizing Senior Centers Resource Center and NISC. 

Marchele has spent her career in the service of others.  For the last 10 years, she has served the Franklin County Council on Aging, where she is currently the Executive Director.  This organization is dedicated to enhancing senior living for people 50 and older, by providing programs, activities, and opportunities for good health and education.  Under Marchele’s leadership, this organization has increased meal delivery to seniors in need by 68%.   FCCOA prepared and delivered over 45,000 meals to seniors in her community last year and the Helping Hands Food Pantry picked up over 157,000 lbs of food and distributed more than 6700 food boxes.  Prior to dedicating her career to the non-profit world, Marchele held accounting positions supporting large organizations.  In addition, Marchele has managed her family’s three restaurants – Jim’s Seafood, Tumbleweed, and Baskin-Robbins.

Marchele is also active in the community in both business and service-oriented organizations.  She has held positions of Vice President, President-elect, and Treasurer of the Kiwanis Club of Frankfort.  She also serves on the Bluegrass Area Development District Human Services Committee.    

Marchele is married to Gerry Jenkins, has four grown children and six grandchildren – all the apples of her eye.  She spends her free time with her family and is so thankful for their support.

Darren Hotton has over 20 years of experience helping Medicare beneficiaries, family members, and caregivers navigate the Medicare and Medicaid landscape. He was the Director of Utah Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIP), Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), and Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) for 18 years. Darren's mission is to empower, educate, and assist older adults to access all benefits, and age well on their own terms.