The Commission
Governor appointments by statute to assure older adult stakeholders are represented with expertise and diversity reflective of Utah.
View the March 15, 2023 update to the UCOA's Legislative Statute
Rob Ence, Executive Director
Rob Ence
Rob Ence is the Executive Director of the Utah Commission on Aging connects research, public policy, and community resources on behalf of older adults. He also manages the Bateman Horne Center, a non-profit clinic and research practice specializing in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and other post-viral syndromes.
Previously Ence was the West Regional Vice President for AARP after serving nearly a decade AARP Utah State Director. His other career work includes Planned Parenthood of Utah and the Midtown Community Health Center, Sage Creek Apparel, work in the financial services industry and Marriott Corporation.
Ence has an MBA and BA Psychology from the University of Utah. He has lectured frequently on financial security and older adult issues and has served on several boards of directors including Comagine Health Utah, Envision Utah, Alzheimer’s Association Utah, Community Counseling Center, and Repertory Dance Theater.
Ence resides with Liz, his spouse and best friend of 46 years, in Salt Lake City, Utah. They have four children and sixteen grandchildren. Exercising outdoors and travel complement their love of theater, opera, symphony, and dance (with an occasional football and basketball game thrown in). They co-lead a 70-voice choir. Ence also sings with the Oratorio Society of Utah.
Darlene Curley
Curley has served as a trusted healthcare advisor to State Governors, U.S. Senators, federal & state agencies, association executives, and philanthropists to advance health for vulnerable populations. Since 2018, she has been an advisor and adjunct professor at the Center for Health Policy at Columbia University School of Nursing, a public policy consultant, Board member, and volunteer including the Utah Medical Reserve Corps.
From 2009-2018, Curley was CEO of Jonas Philanthropies to advance nursing education, vision research, veteran’s healthcare, and environmental health. Signature accomplishments: supporting 1,200 doctoral nursing scholars and future educators in all 50 states, developing a public private partnership with the U.S. Veterans Administration (2016-21), and collaborating with 25 national/global funders.
Elected to the Maine State Legislature in 2001, she served on both the House & Senate Appropriations Committee, charged to negotiate and balance the 8 billion-dollar state budget, and the Health & Human Services Committee, responsible for combining and reorganizing the Dept. of Human Services and Dept. of Behavioral and Developmental Services into one DHHS Agency. Curley co-chaired the State Long Term Care committee, Blue Ribbon Commission on Medicaid, and was appointed to the Health Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Darlene has given over 20 keynote presentations, published articles in the LA Times and Politico, and served on the Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professions Education at the National Academies of Sciences. She has been recognized for healthcare policy leadership by the New York Academy of Medicine, American Academy of Nursing, the University of Maryland, and Columbia University. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Universities of Maine and Maryland and is completing a Doctoral degree.
Amy Anderson
Local Government, Long Term Care
Amy Anderson
Amy Anderson brings to the Utah Commission on Aging a perspective from both her civic and long-term healthcare background. Serving as Chair of the Logan City Council, she was recommended by the Utah League of Cities and Towns to Governor Herbert. Her dual roles at Sunshine Terrace Foundation as Director of Outreach and Spiritual Counselor for Sunshine Hospice provide background in long term care and end of life care. She is a certified Dementia Dialogues instructor through the UT Department of Health and has chaired Cache County’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s for three years. Amy holds a Masters in Healthcare Administration from Washington University in St. Louis and a BS in Communications Studies from Northwestern University.
Chris Burbank
Public Safety, Elder Abuse and Fraud
Chris Burbank
Chief Burbank is the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships with the Center for Policing Equity. He has been involved with CPE since its inception, utilizing their research capability at the height of the immigration debate, and supporting their efforts throughout the Nation. He is an unwavering advocate of the National Initiative and Justice Database as solutions to waning public trust and confidence in policing. CPE produces analyses identifying and reducing the causes of racial disparities. Their. partnerships with police departments across the country change outcomes. CPE delivers science to passionate change advocates and law enforcement agencies. They are distinguished by doing more than collecting data. They take numbers off the spreadsheet and provide actions for the police and the communities they serve. Chief Burbank was with the Salt Lake City Police Department from 1991 until his retirement in June of 2015. He was appointed to the position of Chief of Police in March 2006, becoming the 45th Chief of the Department. During his nine year tenure as Chief he distinguished himself as progressive and innovative, influencing not only the City of Salt Lake but also the profession. In 2014, Chief Burbank was selected as a member of the “Enlightened Fifty” most influential leaders in the State of Utah. In January 2013, Chief Burbank was selected as one of six Police Chiefs in the nation to meet with President Barack Obama to discuss the Administration’s plan and direction concerning gun violence in America. He was recognized in June 2013, by the Utah National Guard with their annual Minuteman Award for contributions to the wellbeing of the State of Utah Chief Burbank has been an outspoken opponent to the cross deputization of police officers as immigration enforcement agents. He has participated in several national conferences regarding the issue, including the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division’s 2009 Title VI Conference. In May 2010, Chief Burbank and nine other Police Chiefs met with Attorney General Eric Holder regarding Arizona immigration laws. During the last two years, he addressed the House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary regarding racial profiling and civil rights issues. Chief Burbank was chosen by the Salt Lake Tribune as Utahn of the Year for 2011. The state’s largest newspaper cited his handling of several high profile protest incidents and stated,“Burbank’s stature as a community leader, including a willingness to endure threats and criticism over his position on immigration enforcement, is noteworthy at a time of ebbing confidence in those elected to govern.” Chief Burbank was honored for his work on behalf of the women and children who live, play and grow by the YWCA Salt Lake City as the 2010 Public Official of the Year. Additionally, in 2010, Chief Burbank was recognized by the Utah Minority Bar Association as their Honoree of the Year for his service to minority communities and dedication to diversity. In May 2009, Chief Burbank received special recognition from the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah for work in protecting immigrant civil rights.In June 2009, he was recognized by the Latino Community Center for his dedication to community policing in building and maintaining a great foundation with the Latino community. Additionally that year, Chief Burbank received the Vicki Cottrell Community Hero Award from the Utah National Alliance on Mental Illness for assistance to individuals suffering from mental illness. Chief Burbank was appointed a Venue Commander during the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games,also serving as a liaison to the U.S. Secret Service during the Games. He was recognized by Director Brian Stafford, United States Secret Service, for outstanding cooperation in support of its protective mission, by Utah Governor Michael Leavitt for his contribution to the law enforcement volunteer program, and by Major General Brian L. Tarbet, Adjutant General, Utah National Guard, for exceptional meritorious service in support of the Games. Chief Burbank served as the First Vice President of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, an assembly of the 75 largest policing agencies in the United States and Canada. Chief Burbank has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from the University of Utah and is a graduate of the FBI’s National Executive Institute. In June 2017, he was named the President of the FBI National Executive Institute Associates. Chief Burbank has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from the University of Utah. Prior to his service in the Police Department, he was a professional squash player achieving a number 38 world ranking in the World Professional Squash Association.
Elizabeth Fauth
Alzheimer's and Dementia Research and Education
Elizabeth Fauth, PhD
Elizabeth Fauth is a Professor in Human Development and Family Studies and the Director of the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research Center at Utah State University. Her research interests are in caregiving for people living with dementia, cognitive and psychosocial predictors of functional ability in late life, and interventions for stress and mental health across adulthood.
Jennifer Lloyd
Jennifer Lloyd
Jim Grover
Jim Grover
Jim enjoys working with business executives, small business owners, professional auditors, local governments to achieve the common goals of creating economic development in Utah. He attained a Bachlors of Arts and a Masters of Business of Administration from the University of Utah. He holds a professional designation as a Certified Government Financial Manager from the Association of Government Accountants. He and his wife Mindy live in Woods Cross with their three kids where he volunteers a few nights a month as a Citizen Planner.
Christy Allen
Christy Allen
Christy Allen has served on the State Board of Aging and Adult Protective Services for the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) for 8 years, most currently as the Chair. During this time, she has had the opportunity to learn about and help solve gaps in services for aging adults across Utah. Christy works for Utah Transit Authority as the Manager of the Coordinated Mobility Department. This department uses Federal funds to work with community partners to fill transportation gaps within communities on the Wasatch Front for aging adults and persons with disabilities. Over 75 specialized transportation vehicles have been awarded to agencies/non-profits to provide much needed trips to a variety of services. Projects, such as a volunteer driver/voucher program, have been implemented so aging adults have more flexibility to meet their transportation needs. Christy is dedicated to continuing to serve the aging adults of Utah.
Gary Kelso
Gary Kelso
Gary is a recognized national leader of performance improvement in the long term care profession. As president/CEO of Mission Health Services (MHS), a multi-state skilled nursing, ALF, residential, and ICFID organization and is recognized as a catalyst for innovative approaches resulting in measurable improvements through his efforts as a pioneer of culture change. Under his leadership, his facilities/communities were the first Eden registered centers in Utah, and has achieved five QIO Health Insight Quality awards, received four five-star CMS ratings, two deficiency free surveys, and won the distinguished Best of State for Skilled Nursing Facilities in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019. From his earliest job as a nursing assistant to his current state and national roles with MHS, American Health Care Association, and Utah Health Care Association he has dedicated his life to improving the quality of life for the elders he serves: AHCA Board of Governors, Utah Health Facilities Committee, Utah Commission on Aging, Utah Aging and Disability Resource Connection, Utah Medical Advisory Committee
Paul Leggett
Paul Leggett
Paul Leggett became the Division Director of Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services in January 2017. In this role Paul oversees the services provided to older adults in Salt Lake County. Prior to this position Paul was the Executive Director of Community Action Partnership of Utah where he worked hand in hand with Utah's Community Action network to provide solutions to poverty and effect change. Paul also previously chaired the statewide Earn it. Keep it. Save it. coalition and directed CAP Utah's statewide Asset Development initiative. Paul currently serves on the Alzheimer’s Association Utah Chapter Board, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging Board, the Lt. Governor's Commission on Service & Volunteerism and is the chair of the Utah Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Paul, originally from Northampton, England, earned a bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences from the University of Northampton and a master's degree in management from the University of Leicester.
Linda Milne
General Public, Emergency Preparedness
Linda Milne
Linda Milne is a voice in our state for Disaster Preparedness for Aging Adults including how to create appropriate 96-hour emergency kits. She is recognized as a resource for disaster planning, response & recovery having served on multiple community, Millcreek and SLCO organizations as well as Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), a significant response and recovery presence in local, state and national disasters. Having served on the SLCO S.A.F.E Neighborhoods Task Force as a community voice, she speaks throughout the county about this unique community response strategy for catastrophic disaster. Milne in concluding 6 years as a director of ChamberWest Chamber of Commerce and is Chair of the Emergency Prepare Committee for Millcreek Business Council.
Joel Macey
Joel Macey
Joel is president and CEO of Community Nursing Services, CNS, a non-profit
established in 1928, providing home health, hospice, pharmacy/infusion therapy,
respiratory and immunization services. A staff of 560 serving communities
throughout Utah. Joel also serves as a trustee and secretary of the CNS board. Prior
to CNS he spent 28 years in senior leadership roles at Intermountain Healthcare; as
a
senior operations officer in the Intermountain Medical Group and more recently as
the executive director of Intermountain Homecare and Hospice. His previous
experience also included an administrative role with Bryner Clinic a multiple specialty
physician group. Joel has an MS in gerontology and an MPA. He received the outstanding
graduate student in gerontology Anna Dresel Award from the University of Utah College
of Nursing. He has volunteered as a long-term care ombudsman, and
he has previously served as a hospice volunteer. He is a founder and director of
Wasatch Hollow Village a non-profit community based organization that supports
aging in place.
Alan Ormsby
Alan Ormsby
Alan Ormsby comes to AARP Utah with a strong background in leadership and advocacy for Utah's older adults and people with disabilities. His training is in law, with a focus on health care law, long-term care, home and community-based services, HIPAA, Medicare and Medicaid. Immediately prior to joining AARP in 2011, Alan served as the Director of the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD,) leading Utah’s efforts to provide the best possible services for people with disabilities. Before serving as the DSPD Director, Alan was the Director of Aging and Adult Services at the State of Utah, and in this role was responsible for statewide home- and community-based services for Utahns 60 and over. In addition, he worked with the local Area Agencies on Aging, and was instrumental in drafting legislation to initiate Utah's Commission on Aging. Alan has served as a member on the Board of Utah Developmental Disabilities Council, Senator Orrin Hatch's Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities, and several long-term care policy groups. He also supervised Adult Protective Services, which investigates claims of abuse, neglect and exploitation involving persons who are disabled or elderly. Alan received his undergraduate degree from the University of Utah and law degree from Quinnipiac University
Mike Hollingshaus
Mike Hollingshaus, PhD
Mike Hollingshaus is a Senior Demographer at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, where he researches, writes, and presents on Utah demographics. He is an expert in population projections, birth rates, death rates, racial and ethnic demographics, and the aging population.
Dr. Hollingshaus holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Utah, with certificates in Demography and Diversity. He previously worked as a researcher at the Utah Population Database in the Huntsman Cancer Institute, identifying genetic and social factors contributing to human health and behavior. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses at the University of Utah, including Social Statistics, Epidemiology, Family Health History, and Demographic Methods. He has published several pieces of applied research specific to Utah, and also in multiple peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Dr. Hollingshaus designs, programs, maintains, and operates Utah’s demographic projection modeling system. He is a member of the Federal-State Cooperative for Population Projections where he is proud to represent Utah. This group convenes researchers from the Census Bureau and state demography offices to improve research and communication of the country’s future population trends
Deepthi Rajeev
Charitable Organizations, Health Initiatives
Deepthi Rajeev
Deepthi Rajeev is the Director of Patient Safety and Innovation for HealthInsight Utah. She leads the Adult Immunizations project for the HealthInsight QIN-QIO serving Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Utah and oversees quality improvement initiatives in nursing homes, home health agencies, hospitals, and pharmacies in Utah. Her areas of interests include quality improvement, advance care planning, personal health records, and public health surveillance and reporting. She has worked on several projects that have involved modeling of healthcare data using standards and vocabularies, research design, workflow analysis, usability testing, and evaluation. She co-leads an advance care planning advisory group that hosts an annual end of life care summit in Utah. Dr. Rajeev has a Ph.D. in Biomedical Informatics from the University of Utah, a Masters in Statistics from Brigham Young University, and a Masters in Computer Science from Osmania University, India. She was awarded a fellowship from the National Library of Medicine during her doctoral research. She has published in prominent medical informatics forums, including the Journal of American Medical Informatics Association and the Proceedings of the American Medical Informatics Association. She serves on the Utah Commission on Aging Board and the Utah Department of Health Institutional Review Board. She is a member of the Steering Committee for The Utah Chapter of the Conversation Project and is a member of the electronic POLST steering committee in Utah.
Jeri Openshaw
Communications and Educational Outreach
Jeri Openshaw
Jeri has worked for the Department of Community and Cultural Engagement in a variety of positions beginning at the Utah Arts Council (Arts and Museums) as the Public Information Officer, Economic Development as Public Information Officer during the 2002 Olympics and currently as Communication Manager at the Utah State Library.
Jeri’s background includes television producer at KUTV where she started the Baby Your Baby program, Wednesday’s Child, Coordinating Producer for SkyTwo helicopter and produced all news programs which include noon, six pm and 10 pm and the early four pm news shows. She also worked at KSL TV and Radio as a long format producer – producing many documentaries on a variety of subjects including Abuse, Elder Abuse and Foster Care. She has earned eight Emmy Awards and a National Iris and other regional and national awards.
Mark Supiano
Higher Education, Geriatric Health Care
Mark Supiano
Mark A. Supiano, M.D. directs the VA Salt Lake City Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center. He is also the D. Keith Barnes, M.D. and Dottie Barnes Presidential Endowed Chair in Medicine, Professor and Chief, of the Division of Geriatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, and Executive Director, for the University of Utah Center on Aging. Dr. Supiano has substantial experience in geriatric medical education leading D.W. Reynolds Foundation supported projects at the University of Michigan (2001-2005), the University of Utah “Comprehensive Program to Strengthen Physicians’ Training in Geriatrics” program (2006-2011), and the Reynolds funded project (2013-2017) that targets training in patient quality, safety and care transitions for graduate medical education trainees. Dr. Supiano’s research interests focus on geriatric hypertension. He is currently investigating arterial stiffness as a predictor of outcomes in the NHLBI-sponsored “Systolic Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT)” study. He has authored over 80 research papers and book chapters and is the recipient of the 1999 Outstanding Clinical Research Award from the American Geriatrics Society (AGS). He currently serves on the AGS Board of Directors and is Chair of the Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs.
Dennis R. Lifferth
Dennis R. Lifferth
Co-founder and president of Applied Technology Foundation dba TechCharities (2013 – present). Former managing director of LDS Welfare Services and president of LDS Charities. Served on the board of directors for Ag Reserves and Utah Legal Services. PhD in Economics from Iowa State University. Taught at Cornell University and Brigham Young University. Worked in Poland, Cambodia, and South America to improve food production. Presently, helping individuals have affordable computer devices and related training to participate in a digital world.
Nels Holmgren
Department of Health and Human Services, Aging and Adult Services
Nels Holmgren
Nels Holmgren is the Director of the Division of Aging and Adult Services at the State of Utah, which oversees programs mandated by the Older Americans Act to promote healthy and secure lifestyles for Utah’s growing senior population. Working with local partners, the Area Agencies on Aging, and other interested parties in the Aging network, the Division provides critical services to empower Utah’s seniors to remain independent in their own homes. Additionally, the Division oversees Utah’s Adult Protective Services which investigates cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation among Utah’s seniors and vulnerable adults, and works to resolve protective needs.
Troy T. Wilson
Troy T. Wilson
Troy T. Wilson is a practicing attorney with offices located in the Sugarhouse area of Salt Lake City. His firm focuses exclusively on estate planning, administration, and Elder Law, including the related areas of business planning, special needs and Medicaid planning, guardianship and probate and trust administration. Mr. Wilson holds a B.S. Degree in Finance, and a M.B.A. from the University of Utah, and a J.D. from the S.J. Quinney College of Law. Mr. Wilson is also a Certified Financial Planner. He is a member of the Utah State Bar Elder Law and Estate Planning sections. He serves on the Utah Commission on Aging, and is a member of ElderCounsel, Wealth Counsel, the Financial Planning Association, and the Salt Lake Estate Planning Counsel. Mr. Wilson has taught as an adjunct college professor as well as many continuing education courses to attorneys, financial planners, insurance agents and health care professionals and the public on topics such as Elder Law, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Medicaid and VA Planning, Estate Planning, Special Needs Planning, and Probate and Estate Administration
Lee White
Lee White
I have extensive experience in working on issues related to aging. I started my career at the University of Utah, Rocky Mountain Gerontology Center in 1974. In addition to being a Research Assistant at RMGC, I worked on Bachelors and Masters degrees in Sociology and a graduate certificate in Gerontology. That served as an excellent launch point for becoming the Senior Planner for Salt Lake County Aging Services in the late 70s. While there, I developed an interest and passion for specializing in housing and home and community based services for older people and people with disabilities.
While in graduate school and up until 1985, I did research and was employed as a Health Data Analyst with the University of Utah Department of Family and Community Medicine. Most of my time was spent working with the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute longitudinal national study on hypertension.
From 1980-1986, I was the Director of the Multi-ethnic Sr Citizens Hi-Rise. I helped develop an extensive network of housing managers or corporate leaders to address evolving issues of housing in Utah. I developed and managed housing projects in three states.
General Public, Policy Specialist
Darlene Curley
Curley has served as a trusted healthcare advisor to State Governors, U.S. Senators, federal & state agencies, association executives, and philanthropists to advance health for vulnerable populations. Since 2018, she has been an advisor and adjunct professor at the Center for Health Policy at Columbia University School of Nursing, a public policy consultant, Board member, and volunteer including the Utah Medical Reserve Corps.
From 2009-2018, Curley was CEO of Jonas Philanthropies to advance nursing education, vision research, veteran’s healthcare, and environmental health. Signature accomplishments: supporting 1,200 doctoral nursing scholars and future educators in all 50 states, developing a public private partnership with the U.S. Veterans Administration (2016-21), and collaborating with 25 national/global funders.
Elected to the Maine State Legislature in 2001, she served on both the House & Senate Appropriations Committee, charged to negotiate and balance the 8 billion-dollar state budget, and the Health & Human Services Committee, responsible for combining and reorganizing the Dept. of Human Services and Dept. of Behavioral and Developmental Services into one DHHS Agency. Curley co-chaired the State Long Term Care committee, Blue Ribbon Commission on Medicaid, and was appointed to the Health Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Darlene has given over 20 keynote presentations, published articles in the LA Times and Politico, and served on the Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professions Education at the National Academies of Sciences. She has been recognized for healthcare policy leadership by the New York Academy of Medicine, American Academy of Nursing, the University of Maryland, and Columbia University. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Universities of Maine and Maryland and is completing a Doctoral degree.
Casey Cameron
Workforce Services
Casey Cameron
Casey Cameron is currently the executive director for the Utah Department of Workforce Services. She was appointed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox in December 2020. Casey leads the Utah Department of Workforce Services, with a workforce of 2,200 employees spread across Utah. She oversees a complex budget of approximately $2.1 billion dollars, comprising several federal and state programs such as unemployment insurance, public assistance programs, workforce programs, child care assistance, refugee services, housing and community development, rehabilitation programs and veteran services. Prior to her tenure as an executive director, Casey served as a deputy director for the department for more than eight years. She has worked for the state of Utah for 24 years, serving in various capacities within Workforce Services. Casey has been instrumental in several significant departmental changes, such as leading the department through the COVID 19 pandemic and forming new divisions.
Throughout her career, Casey has held various management and training positions and worked closely with many federal and state partners. She currently serves as a commissioner on the Utah Economic Opportunity Commission and chairs the Governor’s Refugee Advisory Board. Casey serves on the Shelter the Homeless Board and Utah Homeless Council. In September 2023, Casey was elected to the Board of Directors for the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA). She is the past co-chair of the Intergenerational Poverty Commission and Governor’s Early Childhood Commission. She is a recipient of the 2018 Governor’s award for leadership, as well as the Governor’s award in the area of innovation and efficiency in 2010.
Casey is a graduate of the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in social and behavioral health. She lives in Cedar Hills, Utah, with her husband Ian, where they are raising an amazing seventeen year old. The oldest boy in their family is currently serving a Church mission in Santiago, Chile. Casey and her family enjoy the outdoors, watching their boys sporting events, gardening, traveling, and providing service to their community.
Victor Hugo Pinilla-Coxe
Multi-Cultural Communities
Victor Hugo Pinilla-Coxe
With a Bachelor Degree in International Relations (Diplomacy) from The Central University of Venezuela (UCV), as an advocate of the Hispanic communities of Salt Lake, and as head of The Americas Council, the Venezuelan Alliance of Utah, and participant of other relevant Hispanic non profits, I'm highly motivated by social causes of equality, integration, integrity and respect. My life and associations as well as my job must match my passion to lead people toward a more dignified, respected, stronger and unified Hispanic community, which is something I have been working for a few years; it hasn't been easy but It has been worth it