2024 Programs of Excellence Series - Technology, Virtual and Hybrid

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. 

Margot Merrick, CEO and Co-Founder of LOOP is a seasoned, passionate executive with over 25 years of dedicated experience in the senior market.  Before founding LOOP, a Live content provider where seniors connect, learn, and laugh together online while participating in vibrant, daily events, she co-founded and served as Executive Director of Good Company Senior Care for 20 years, providing caregiver services to seniors in the greater LA market. 

Debbie Koepsel is the Chief Operating Officer of LOOP, bringing over 35 years of experience in the senior healthcare market. She previously spent more than 20 years at Accelerated Care Plus, a subsidiary of Hanger, Inc., where she held several executive roles, including President for over 9 years. Debbie has a proven track record of building companies from the ground up, driving sustainable growth and client retention.

Erin Koebler, LCSW, CMC, is the Director of the East Longmeadow Council on Aging.  As Director, she led East Longmeadow’s entry into the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities and received Dementia Friendly designation.  In her nearly twenty years working with older adults, she has worked as the Director of Community Services at Glenmeadow Retirement, where she continues to serve on the Board, as Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator of the Longmeadow Council on Aging, and with several public and private care management programs.  She was integral in the creation of the Neighbor to Neighbor Program, which addresses isolation among local seniors, is a trained Alzheimer's Support Group Leader, and SHINE Counselor.  She received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. 

“I am very proud to say that I have devoted my life to love my family and to help others on a daily basis. It brings me tremendous joy to see my client’s eyes light up and to see their smiles.”

My name is Kevin Weber. At Scope Senior Services, I have been given an amazing opportunity to work as both a Technology Manager and an Office Manager for over 5 years now.

In my career, I have spent over 30 years working in the IT and Telecommunications industries. During that time, I was able to achieve receiving a bachelor’s degree as well as additional training and certifications specific to Technology Support. This training has provided me with the ability to meet with clients and perform diagnostic, repair and one-on-one training. More importantly, it has helped me to develop good active listening skills, and patience when collaborating with clients and in my daily life. It continues to be an honor to help seniors daily in our community with their Technology needs, especially those seniors that are isolated at home and do not have the means to get out. Unfortunately, many our senior population has had no training or experience with the modern technology for cell phones, tablets & laptops. Service providers will sell the device to a customer, which includes no instructions on how to use it and no longer will provide customer support to assist the customer with their questions. This leaves the customer frustrated and not knowing what to do. Many of these people come to see me for help.

Mike Wilson is the Director of S.C.O.P.E. (Senior Citizens Opportunity for Personal Endeavor) whose mission is “To inspire, strengthen, and enrich mature adult lives.” 

SCOPE operates several community centers in Northeast Ohio serving over 4,000 seniors with daily recreational activities, educational events, socialization, and fitness programs for seniors.

Mike has been a leader in the non-profit sector for over 38 years and is certified as an Association Executive. Locally, he served as CEO of the Home Builders Association (HBA), and Director of the Trumbull Soil & Water Conservation District.

As a hobby, Wilson is also a historical actor who has portrayed our nation’s 25^th President William McKinley all over the nation for over 30 years. He also performs a ‘No Respect’ comedy routine as the late great comedian Rodney Dangerfield.

Mike has coached youth sports for over 33 years, including his current position as the Head Middle School Football Coach for Champion Local Schools. He serves as the Commissioner of the Northeast Ohio Youth Football League and is a certified member of USA Football. Mike was named by the Ohio Parks & Recreation Association as the 2012 ‘Youth Sports Coach of the Year’.

Wilson also worked as a radio broadcaster and staff member for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers minor league baseball team affiliated with the Cleveland Guardians.

Mike was named Ohio’s Outstanding Young Citizen in 1991 by the Ohio Junior Chamber of Commerce. He also was named the Outstanding Citizen of Niles in 1994. Mr. Wilson was inducted into his Dayton Area High School’s ‘Northmont Roll of Recognition’ as the Alumnus of the Year in 2002.