sac staff

Karen Black

executive director

kb@seniorassistancecenter.org

Karen joined SAC in 2017. She brings over 20 years of non-profit experience to the organization. Karen started her non-profit experience as a Business Administrator and part time Christian Outreach Coordinator. She then took a leadership role as the Executive Director for a small emergency assistance center in SW Denver. Karen has worked in various non-profit management roles over the years from Development Director to Volunteer Coordinator managing over 500 volunteers.

Janet Schreurs

operations and programs

js@seniorassistancecenter.org

Janet joined SAC in 2015. She loves working with older adults and promoting positive community and growth in north Denver. In her hometown of Memphis, she worked in real estate and still loves everything about neighborhoods and living spaces. She became interested in the nonprofit world while reading about the work of Paul Farmer and was captivated by the idea of creating our best lives for ourselves as we age. When she moved to Sunnyside and discovered Senior Assistance Center, all these interests came together.

board of directors

Gary Schirmacher

interim chair

senior consultant, talent acquisition, maritz global events

With 38 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Schirmacher has been with Maritz for twenty-eight years in a variety of roles. He is currently working with Maritz’s Sale and Account Management Team as a recruiter for the ESN Network among other projects. He was awarded the company’s highest honor, the Pinnacle Award, in 2005, and was inducted into the Colorado Meetings Hall of Fame in 2011 with the Lifetime Achievement Award. He is an industry leader that has served in many positions including the Chairman of the Meetings Industry Council of Colorado from 2001-2007, Past Chair for the MPI Global Foundation Board of Trustees, Past Chair of the PCMA Education Foundation Board of Trustees and Past Chair of the Meetings Industry Fund. Schirmacher is also a long-time Board Member and Interim Chair of the Senior Assistance Center of Denver. This organization fits with his passion of assisting older adults with emergency services. He is a member of PCMA, MPI, HSMAI and IAEE Schirmacher is a frequent speaker at major industry meetings and events. Schirmacher is a graduate of the Worldwide College of Auctioneering and Owner of Big Top Auctions USA.

Robert Spencer

secretary

partner, rastrello extra virgin olive oil

land & business development, epic energy / walsh engineering and production

Ken Arellano Jr

board member

program manager, city and county of denver

Kenneth Arellano (Ken) is a seasoned Program Manager with the City and County of Denver’s Denver Careers Construction Program (DCCP), part of Denver’s Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO). With over 25 years of experience in Workforce Development, Ken has dedicated his career to working with non-profit, private, and government entities, specializing in Career Consulting and Outplacement Services. His passion for supporting special populations, including older adults and justice involved, drives his commitment to creating impactful solutions for Denver residents.

David Nila

board member

medicare growth manager, optum

David Nila is a proud father of 2 and husband to his wife. David enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid mountain biker.

David is the Colorado Medicare Growth Manager for Optum medical. David develops and nurtures the relationship between Optum’s medical clinics and our partnered insurance brokers focusing on educating and helping patients as they become Medicare eligible.

David has been in the insurance industry for 25 years in various roles. The majority of his career has been spent managing insurance brokers in California, Nevada and Colorado. David sent a few years as an insurance sales broker before joining Optum. It was the years spent at Humana that David developed a passion for serving the older adult population. David also volunteers at the Action Center when he is able to.

David was seeking an opportunity to make a difference within the older adult population and took advantage of that opportunity by joining the Board at the Senior Assistance Center. David has a passion for educating and training those in need, especially when it comes to Medicare, and community involvement.

Carissa Plumery

board member

vice president of sales, benefits life

Carissa grew up in Highlands Ranch, Colorado and has lived in the Denver community for over 25 years. Carissa loves experiencing Colorado’s beautiful outdoors and enjoys bringing her 4 Australian Shepherds along with her hiking, camping, and paddle boarding.

Carissa is the Vice President at Benefits Life, an agency located in Denver Colorado that supports health and life insurance agents across the region. Among other responsibilities, she is responsible for connecting agents to and creating community engagement initiatives to promote overall Medicare awareness and education.

Carissa graduated from University of Denver Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business and Minor in Spanish. Carissa has been supporting older adults in different roles for most of her life including her family’s foundation which is dedicated to enhancing the lives of developmentally challenged adults with little to no family support. She was previously a representative and manager with Humana involved in numerous initiatives dedicated to closing the gaps in care for older adults between providers and health insurance companies. She has also been involved in numerous non-profit initiatives dedicated to connect older adults to resources to combat food insecurity, loneliness, housing instability, income/employment opportunities and lack of transportation. Her efforts have focused on creating programs that enhance access to healthcare for older adults and building partnerships that support the community’s holistic health needs.

Carissa is a servant leader who is passionate about solving challenges for others, especially older adults who have unique needs and circumstances. Carissa has witnessed firsthand the lack of resources accessible to older adults in the community. This experience has created her passion and advocacy for older adults. The Senior Assistance Center’s mission aligns with Carissa’s commitment to connecting older adults to resources and improving their health and well-being.

Michael Shepherd

board member

business banking relationship manager, oneaz credit union