Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging (SAAA) welcomes new Executive Director

Tom Throckmorton, SAAA President, stated that, “In May, with regret, the Board accepted Cathie Galvin’s retirement for this fall as Executive Director of the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging. Under her guidance, SAAA regained its financial stability and is now positioned to move forward to meet the challenges of assisting the growing number of seniors in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Sometime after October 31, her last day with SAAA, Cathie and her husband Tom will move to their retirement home in Florida.”

The SAAA Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Linda Holtzapple as the new Executive Director for the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging. Mrs. Holtzapple has 25 years of non-profit experience with the past 14 years as the Executive Director of the Berkeley County Committee on Aging. In this comparable position in West Virginia, she managed a staff of 130 employees and an annual budget of almost 3 million dollars. Along with her professional experience, Mrs. Holtzapple is committed to the important role of volunteerism in the community. She exemplifies this dedication as Secretary of the Martin Luther King Scholarship Committee and an active Board Member of Community Alternatives to Violence. In addition, she volunteered for years raising funds for community projects through Sunrise Rotary. Those projects included Panhandle Home Health, Boys and Girls Club, the Back Pack Program and other community services.

Linda currently lives in Gerrardstown, West Virginia, and has been married to Joseph Holtzapple for fifteen years. Linda has five children and one step child. Together, she and Joe have 15 grandchildren. She loves spending time with family, and enjoys outdoor activities, cooking, cats, painting and pottery. She has received several awards for her artwork, which has been exhibited both locally and nationally. Until recently, she served as Treasurer of the Berkeley Arts Council Board of Directors. She stated, “I am excited to start my new position with the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging, and look forward to working with the staff and board of directors to help further develop the agency’s already extensive role in aging programs. This is a wonderful opportunity, and I am fortunate to be joining such a respected organization. It will be a pleasure to help make a difference in the lives of the senior citizens in the Northern Shenandoah Valley!”

Linda Holtzapple will be working with Cathie Galvin for several weeks during the transition. Her first day as Executive Director will be September 11th. For more information on the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging, the Senior Centers, Meals on Wheels, Our Place Respite Center, WellTran rides, VICAP (Medicare Insurance Counseling), Live Well, Virginia Workshops or other aging support services, call (540) 635-7141 or 800 883-4122 or visit http://www.shenandoahaaa.com