Staff Directory
*Directory located at bottom of page
Benjamin J. Mauldin Executive Director [email protected] Serves as the Executive Director for the Central Midlands Council of Governments in Columbia, South Carolina. The Council of Governments serves a population of 775,000 in Richland, Lexington, Newberry and Fairfield counties. The agency provides a range of local and regional planning services and technical assistance to local governments within the four-county region in a variety of fields, including transportation planning; aging services and programs; economic and community development; housing; environmental planning; GIS; governmental services; land use planning; research and statistics; and workforce development. Mr. Mauldin has over 23 years of professional experience with the Central Midlands COG in areas ranging from transportation planning, geographic information systems to demographic research and information technology. Mr. Mauldin holds a Master of Criminal Justice degree in Research and Planning from the University of South Carolina and professional certifications in project management and information technology. Reginald Simmons, MPA Deputy Executive Director / Director of Transportation [email protected]Serves as the Deputy Executive Director for the Central Midlands Council of Governments. Mr. Simmons provides supervision and oversight to AAA/ADRC Program. Mr. Simmons has a Masters of Public Administration from Indiana State University. He has over eighteen (18) years of experience in managing federal grant programs at a senior and/or executive level. Mr. Simmons also serves as the Transportation Director and performs transportation analysis that assists in the coordination of human services and the purchase of accessible vehicles that are design to enhance the accessibility and mobility of seniors and persons with disabilities.
Malia Ropel Finance Director [email protected] Serves as the Finance Director for the Central Midlands Council of Governments. Ms. Ropel has a Bachelor of Science in Economics degree from the University of Maryland. Ms. Ropel has eleven (11) years of experience serving as an accountant and provides financial oversight with federal programs. She has served as the Aging Fiscal Officer for the past four years. Jessica Foster Accounting Clerk [email protected] Myra Hamilton Accountant [email protected]
AREA AGENCY ON AGING/AGING & DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER
Cindy Curtis, MSW Director of Area Agency on Aging /ADRC [email protected]/a>Serves as the Director of the Area Agency on Aging/ADRC. Ms. Curtis is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the AAA/ADRC including but not limited to planning, program development, grant writing and grant management, resource development, community education, technical assistance and training. Ms. Curtis has a Masters in Social Work from the University of South Carolina. Ms. Curtis has been working in the social services industry for over twenty-one (21) years and has served as the AAA/ADRC Director since 2014.
Kaitlyn Marushia Administration Assistant for Area Agency on Aging /ADRC [email protected]Serves as the Director of the Area Agency on Aging/ADRC. Ms. Curtis is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the AAA/ADRC including but not limited to planning, program development, grant writing and grant management, resource development, community education, technical assistance and training. Ms. Curtis has a Masters in Social Work from the University of South Carolina. Ms. Curtis has been working in the social services industry for over twenty-one (21) years and has served as the AAA/ADRC Director since 2014.
Jenny Andrews
Aging Program Assessor Coordinator [email protected]Serves as an Aging Services Assessor Coordinator for the Area Agency on Aging. Ms. Andrews works with the Aging Services Assessors and schedules and coordinates in-home AIM assessments and provides in-home AIM assessments. Ms. Andrews has a B.A. in Human Services, Psychology and Sociology from Pfeiffer University. Ms. Andrews also received her Master’s in Social Work from University of South Carolina. Ms. Andrews has previous experience in facility settings and Adult Protective Services. Ms. Andrews is also a Certified Information and Referral Specialist in Aging (CIRS-A).
Becky BairdFamily Caregiver Advocate [email protected]
Serves as the Family Caregiver Advocate for the AAA/ADRC. Ms. Baird has been working as a licensed social worker in South Carolina since 1992. She has a B.A. degree from the University of South Carolina in journalism, and earned her Master of Social Work degree from USC in 1992. She has experience in both state government programs as well as private businesses. Ms. Baird work history includes the Department of Social Services, Department of Mental Health, and the Department of Corrections. She has also worked for several hospice organizations.
Shelia Bell-Ford I-CARE Coordinator [email protected]Serves as the SHIP (State Health Insurance Plan) Coordinator for the AAA/ADRC. Ms. Bell-Ford has an Associate of Applied Science degree in Human Services and an Associate of Arts degree in Paralegal Services from Midlands Technical College. She is a Certified SHIP Worker, CIRS-A, and was DTV Coordinator for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Grant. Ms. Bell-Ford has been trained in Advance Directives and provides advanced directives upon request. Along with her responsibility as SHIP Coordinator, Ms. Bell-Ford serves as the Nutrition Coordinator providing site inspections, nutrition and activities oversight at the senior centers.
Carol Boykin Information, Referral & Assistance Specialist [email protected] Serves as the (I/R&A) Information/Referral & Assistant Specialist for the AAA/ADRC. She has held this position since August 2012. Ms. Boykin has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Georgia Southern College and SC State College. She has worked for 25 years with assisting people dealing with mental illness; substance abuse; victims of domestic violence; and with the aging population. Ms. Boykin is a Certified At-Risk Adult Crime Tactics Specialist (ACT) from the Georgia Department of Human Services and has experience to handle a crisis call. In 2014, Ms. Boykin became certified in Options Counseling, and in 2017, she earned a certification in Disability along with Aging thru the Alliance of Information & Referral Systems (AIRS). Previous positions she has held include RSVP Director, Senior Center Manager, and SCSEP Manager and Intake/Gateway Specialist (CIRS-A) while working for The Legacy Link Area Agency on Aging/ADRC in Gainesville, GA. JaJuana Davis I-CARE Program Assistant [email protected]Serves as an Aging Program Coordinator for the Central Midlands Council of Governments. Since 2013, she has been certified to be SHIP counselor. Ms. Davis has a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from Springfield College. She is also certified to be an Information and Referral Specialist (CIRS-A) and provides support as an assessor providing in-home assessments.
Tamara Friday Aging Program Assessor [email protected]
Serves as the Aging Services Assessor providing in-home AIM assessments for the Central Midlands Council of Governments. Ms. Friday provides information to callers; assesses their needs; and assists them in locating appropriate resources. She advocates on behalf of clients to help ensure the provision of critical services. Ms. Friday holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of South Carolina, M.A, Human Resources Management from Webster University and her Master in Social Work from Simmons College. Ms. Friday has served at a case manager with DDSN for over 8 years as well as DDSN Central Office as an eligibility coordinator for over 3 years to include counties York to Calhoun counties. Her work history includes the Medicaid Waiver Management program as well as the Community Long Term Care program. Franicia Matthews Aging Program Assessor [email protected] Serves as the Aging Services Assessor providing in-home AIM assessments for the Central Midlands Council of Governments. Ms. Matthews provides information to callers; assesses their needs; and assists them in locating appropriate resources. She advocates on behalf of clients to help ensure the provision of critical services. Ms. Matthews has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Winthrop University and a Masters of Arts Degree in Professional Counseling from Webster University. She has worked with adults with disabilities both physical and intellectual, has done case management of Medicaid Waiver Services and was a part of the Crisis Intervention Team with Easter Seals of NC & VA as a coordinator in the START (now called REACH) Program. Candice Holloway Aging Program Coordinator [email protected]
Serves as the Family Caregiver Coordinator providing support to the Family Caregiver Support Program. Ms. Holloway has in Bachelors in Arts from the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina and her Masters in Art with a major in Gerontology from the University of North Carolina. Ms. Holloway is a certified Information, Referral Specialists for Aging and Disability (CIRS-A/D).
LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM Anna Harmon Director, Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program [email protected]
Serves as the Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman Director for the Central Midlands Council of Governments. Ms. Harmon has 24 years of long-term care experience. She has served as Director of Social Services in nursing facilities. Ms. Harmon has been The Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman since 1994.
Ms. Harmon is also a Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker and earned her BA in Sociology from The University of South Carolina. Ms. Harmon and her staff have written educational guides and handbooks on long-term care which has been used in community trainings, physician’s offices and hospice agencies. The handbooks are titled, Choosing Long-Term Care Placement and Empowering Residents and Families in Long-Term Care Facilities (which is also a Resident and Family Council Guide). She assists in developing materials for The Volunteer Ombudsman Program. She trains volunteer Ombudsman and the community on long-term care issues, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Ms. Harmon manages the ombudsman staff, advocates for resident, investigates complaints and writes findings.
Fretoria Addison Volunteer Ombudsman Program Coordinator/Information Support Specialist [email protected]
Serves as the Ombudsman Volunteer Program Coordinator/Information Support Specialist, she also performs administrative and program support such as complaint intake and follow-up, advocacy, trainings and presentations. Ms. Addison coordinates all volunteer trainings, provides direction, support and consultation for all volunteers and volunteer functions within the Central Midlands Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Ms. Addison has been with the Ombudsman Program for over 7 years.
LaToya Buggs-Williams Senior Ombudsman Investigator [email protected] Serves a Senior Long-Term Care Ombudsman Investigator. Ms. Williams has been Certified Ombudsman for over 13 years and previously was also the Volunteer Coordinator. She holds a Baccalaureate Degree. Laurie Giarratano Associate Ombudsman/Support Specialist [email protected]
Serves as the Associate Long-Term Care Ombudsman/Support Specialist. She has been with the Central Midlands Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program since 2013 Ms. Giarratano has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Geography and in Media Arts from the University of South Carolina.
RESEARCH, PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
Gregory Sprouse Director, Research, Planning and Development [email protected] Guillermo J. Espinosa Senior Planner [email protected] Jason Kent GIS Manager [email protected] Andrew J. Simmons Information Services Manager [email protected]Reginald Simmons Deputy Executive Director / Director of Transportation [email protected] Roland E. Bart Chief Transportation Planner [email protected]
MIDLANDS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Chris White Director, Workforce Development [email protected] Tammy Beagen Assistant Director, Workforce Development [email protected] LaToya Fisher SCWOS Coordinator [email protected] Diane Hart WIOA Assessment Specialist [email protected] Anastasiya Hay SCWOS Coordinator [email protected] Stephen Knight Regional Operations Manager & Partner Liaison [email protected] Kynshari Smith SCWOS Coordinator [email protected] Sheron Sutton WIOA Assessment Manager [email protected]CMCOG Staff Extension & Titles
236 Stoneridge Dr Columbia, SC 29210
Main Line: 803-376-5390 Fax Line: 803-376-5394
| EXT | Staff Name | Staff Title | Direct # |
| 358 | ADDISON, Fretoria | Ombud Volunteer Program Coord./Info Support Specialist | 744-5154 |
| 313 | ANDREWS, Jenny | Aging Program Assessor Coordinator | 744-5121 |
| 329 | BAIRD, Becky | Family Caregiver Advocate | 744-5131 |
| 337 | BART, Roland | Chief Transportation Planner | 744-5140 |
| 309 | BELL-FORD, Sheila | I-Care Coordinator | 744-5127 |
| 333 | BOYKIN, Carol | Information, Referral & Assistance Specialist | 744-5142 |
| 306 | BUGGS-WILLIAMS, LaToya | Senior Ombudsman Investigator | 744-5124 |
| 316 | CURTIS, Cindy | Director, Area Agency on Aging / ADRC | 744-5134 |
| 312 | DAVIS, JuJuana | I-CARE Program Assistant | 744-5130 |
| 308 | ESPINOSA, Guillermo | Senior Planner | 744-5126 |
| 356 | FOSTER, Jessica | Accounting Clerk | 744-5139 |
| 305 | FRIDAY, Tamara | Aging Program Assessor | 744-5153 |
| 304 | GIARRATANO, Laurie | Associate Ombudsman/Support Specialist | 744-5122 |
| 317 | HAMILTON, Myra | Accountant | 744-5135 |
| 344 | HARMON, Anna | Director, Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman | 744-5151 |
| 347 | HOLLOWAY, Candice | Aging Program Coordinator | 744-5152 |
| 335 | KENT, Jason | Manager, GIS | 744-5144 |
| 346 | MATHEWS, Franicia | Aging Program Assessor | 744-5157 |
| 300 | MARUSHIA, Kaitlyn | Aging Program Administrative Assistant | 744-5120 |
| 324 | MAULDIN, Ben | Executive Director | 744-5138 |
| 355 | ROPEL, Malia | Director, Finance | 744-5159 |
| 340 | SIMMONS, Andy | Manager, Information Services | 744-5148 |
| 315 | SIMMONS, Reginald | Deputy Executive Director/ Director, Transportation | 744-5133 |
| 351 | SPROUSE, Gregory | Director, Research, Planning and Development | 744-5158 |
| Program Voicemails/Interns | |||
| 307 | SHIP Voicemail | 327 | Ombudsman Voicemail |
| 314 | I, R & A Voicemail | 318 | Caregiver Intern |
| 319 | Caregiver Support Voicemail | 357 | Caregiver Intern |
| Midlands Workforce Development Board
100 Executive Center Dr. STE 218 Columbia, SC 29210 Main Number: 803-744-1670 Fax Number: 803-744-1671 |
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| BEAGAN, Tammy | Assistant Director, Workforce Development | 744-1691 |
| FISHER, Latoya | SCWOS Coordinator | 744-1687 |
| KNIGHT, Steve | Partner/Industry Liaison | 744-1694 |
| SMITH, Kynshari | SCWOS Coordinator | 744-1695 |
| SUTTON, Sheron | WorkKeys (SC Works Columbia) | 978-0204 |
| WHITE, Chris | Director, Workforce Development | 744-1680 |
