Faculty for the CSA Course

Amy D’Aprix, CSA, MSW, Ph.D.

Amy D’Aprix is Founder and President of The Caregivers’ Coach. As a gerontological social worker, Amy began working with caregivers and seniors over 20 years ago. Her professional and academic background was enriched by eight years as a caregiver to her mother. She is an international faculty member for SCSA, teaching also in Canada. Amy is the Health Section Editor for the CSA Journal. She is a frequent speaker at corporations and professional organizations on the topics of aging and caregiving. Amy has published several articles on aging and caregiving and is currently co-authoring a book on aging caregiving.

Sharil Baxter, CSA, CLTC, MHP, ATM-B, LTCP, RHU

Sharil Baxter has many years of experience in the field of long-term care insurance. She was a Regional Sales Director for MetLife for long-term care insurance and prior to that served as the National Education Officer and Sales Manager (Kansas City) for LTCI Partners, a national long-term care insurance brokerage firm. Sharil’s articles on long-term care insurance have appeared in several industry publications, including Broker World and Broker News. Currently Sharil is an independent broker of long-term care insurance, licensed in Hawaii. Sharil served on the medical ethics committee for a local hospital in Kansas City and also served on and was a founding member of the Long-Term Care Ethics Committee at the Center for Practical Bioethics in Kansas City. Sharil formerly served as Executive Director of the country’s second oldest hospice. Sharil has a B.S. in Education and a Master’s Degree in Management.

Norm Bouchard, CSA, B.A., MDiv

Norm Bouchard, CSA, has a B.A. in Philosophy, a Master of Divinity degree, and a Pastoral Care degree. A sought-after motivational speaker, Norm’s blend of humor, storytelling and music brings an intensity of feeling that inspires people to re-examine their assumptions about what they really know. Norm has worked with several top 500 Fortune companies and groups, including Home Care Association, National Association of Hospital Volunteers, Nole Pharmaceuticals, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, US WEST, MCI, Prudential and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Northern Colorado and serves as Vice President, Education for the Society of Certified Senior Advisors.

Sally Jo Button, M.Ed., M.S., CFP^®

Sally Jo Button has offered a broad scope of financial services for over twenty years. As the owner of Button Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, she offers comprehensive financial planning services for individuals, families, and non-traditional couples including: retirement planning, liability and risk management, portfolio management, and tax strategies. She taught CFP candidates for ten years. She has been the continuing education coordinator/committee member with the Financial Planners’ Association. She also conducts financial planning seminars through large employers such as Jefferson County school system and the Denver Water Board. Sally Jo works with her clients using a process that involves much more than technical strategies for money management. Managing money is only half of the job. The power in her approach, the other half, uses her knowledge of how a client’s philosophy, psychology and spirituality create the life values that guide money decisions.

Bill Comfort, CSA, CLTC

Bill Comfort, owner of Comfort Assurance Group, LLC, a long-term care insurance agency based in St. Louis, Missouri, is also a national Master Class trainer for the Corporation for Long-Term Care Certification (CLTC). A 13-year veteran of the insurance industry, Bill has trained more than 4,000 insurance agents, financial planners, CPAs, and attorneys. Bill is a former TV and radio reporter, and he brings a broadcast journalist’s dynamic skills to help illuminate the complicated world of long-term care planning.

Nancy Dykeman, CLTC, CSA

Nancy Dykeman is a professional speaker, instructor, long-term care consultant and independent insurance agent. She has been working with families and issues of aging for almost 30 years. Nancy is one of the six core national instructors for the Corporation for Long-Term Care Certification (CLTC). She is also a Director of the Board of Standards for the Corporation for Long-Term Care Certification and a member of their Editorial Board. In 2002, she was selected by Phyllis Shelton as one of sixteen national presenters of the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program. Before entering the insurance industry, Nancy was the owner/manager of a funeral service, a licensed nursing home administrator and the director of an assisted living facility. Her depth of knowledge in long-term care has been enriched by her own experience caring for family members.

Ray Ferrara, CFP

Ray Ferrara is a seasoned Certified Financial Planner with more than 32 years in the financial services industry. Currently, he is president and CEO of ProVise Management Group, Inc., which was established in 1986 in Clearwater, Florida, and has received such prestigious industry awards as 2001 Small Business of the Year from the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce. Ray speaks to civic and professional organizations throughout the United States and Europe. For 10 years, he hosted a radio show called Talking Money. Ray conducts financial seminars and also creates articles, videotapes, and cassette tapes on a variety of financial topics.

Howard S. Krooks, J.D.

Howard Krooks is a Certified Elder Law Attorney and a partner in the law firm of Elder Law Associates in Boca Raton, Florida. He serves as Of Counsel to Littman Krooks, LLP in New York. Mr. Krooks is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, where he formerly served as chair of the Public Relations Committee. He is a past Chair of the Elder Law Section of the New York State Bar Association, and the former chair of the Medicaid Committee. Mr. Krooks is a former adjunct assistant professor at New York University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies, where he taught a course on asset protection planning. He has written articles on a variety of elder law topics, has appeared on the CBS Early Morning Show, and has been quoted in USA Today, The New York Post and The Journal News.

Marlene Lund, CLTC, CSA

Marlene Lund a professional speaker, trainer, and consultant, is truly committed to the senior market, specializing in long term care insurance training and awareness. She has spoken nationally to thousands of consumers and professionals. In her presentations, Marlene expands the knowledge and understanding of the key issues arising from aging and long-term care, and she offer viable solutions to address these issues.

Prior to the establishment of Speaking of Aging, Inc., Marlene’s tenure as president of Lund Insurance Agency provided her with over a dozen years of experience working with clients, agents, and top-rated carriers.

Marlene serves on the Board of Directors of the Midlands Eldercare Network, made up of professionals who work with a variety senior issues; the Board of Directors for the Nebraska Financial Planning Association; and on the faculty for Society of Senior Advisors (SCSA). She is Certified in Long Term Care, (CLTC), and she is a member of the National Speakers Association.

Judie Rappaport, CSA

Judie Rappaport specializes in the fields of both eldercare and marketing to seniors. She founded one of the first geriatric care management companies in the U.S., and is currently a partner in the geriatric care management firm of Preferred Client Services. She has obtained the State of Florida’s highest level of Alzheimer’s training. Judie is the author of Eldercare 911, the Caregiver’s Complete Handbook for Making Decisions, and the follow-up book, Eldercare 911 Question and Answer Book. She writes a weekly question and answer column, “Dear Judie”, for four Florida newspapers and is a sought-after speaker. Her marketing and eldercare articles have appeared in CSA Journal, Life Insurance Selling, Trusts & Estates Magazine, the Marquette University Law School’s Elder Advisor, and other publications.

Linda Sekely, J.D.

Linda Sekely, JD, is a practicing estate, elder, and tax attorney with 19 years of experience. Linda is also a national speaker, frequent collegiate guest lecturer, faculty member of the Duquesne University Nonprofit Leadership Institute, and a trainer for regional conferences and professional associations. In addition, she instructs attorneys in estate and probate law through the CAPE Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is the founder and executive director of Pennsylvania Estate Advisory Team, a nonprofit educational organization for elder law and planning. Linda has authored three books on estate planning and has two recurring columns in professional newsletters. She also co-hosts a weekly radio talk show, where she advises listeners on estate legal documents, tax, and elder law.

Donna Sylvester, CSA, BN, MSN

Donna Sylvester has an extensive healthcare background that includes military nursing, research and publication. As director of nursing for an acute long-term care hospital, she served on the medical ethics committee and worked with seniors facing chronic illness and end-of-life treatment decisions. Donna previously served as director of education for SCSA. She continues to teach at SCSA and write for the CSA Journal and its Senior Spirit newsletter. She is a charter member of the Colorado Alliance for Geriatric Care Managers, American Nursing Association and American Society on Aging.

Jan Vinita White, MLS, PhD

Jan Vinita White, owner of Whitedeer Gerontology Consulting, maintains a private consulting practice specific to seniors and their families. She provides professional assessments of seniors, counseling, care management coordination, and continuing education seminars. She is a frequent speaker for businesses and non-profit groups. She appears weekly as a gerontology expert on a live local morning television show. Jan serves on the Editorial Board of Older Learner, quarterly journal of the American Society on Aging. She has published articles in that journal as well as other publications.

Beanna Whitlock, CSA, EA

Beanna Whitlock, an experienced tax professional and Enrolled Agent since 1979, maintains a tax and financial services business in Austin, Texas. She is also the Executive Director of the National Society of Tax Professionals. Previously, Beanna served as the Director of National Public Liaison for the Internal Revenue Service, responsible for the IRS relationship with tax professionals, Congress, and state and local authorities. Upon her departure from the IRS, Beanna was awarded the Commissioner’s Award, the highest honor the commissioner can bestow on an IRS employee. She has authored numerous articles appearing in Time, Newsweek, Parent’s, Ladies Home Journal, and Accounting Today. Accounting Today has honored Beanna by naming her one of the Top 100 Most Influential in Accounting for an unprecedented seven consecutive years.