Tara Edwards, President
Email: admission.chapelhill@signaturehealthcarellc.com
Phone: 919-971-3557
Tara Edwards is Director of Admissions and Marketing at Signature HealthCARE of Chapel Hill. At Signature HealthCARE of Chapel Hill they are revolutionizing the healthcare industry through ha culture of resident centered healthcare services, personalized spirituality, and real quality of life initiatives. She is a graduate of Barton College, in Wilson, NC where she received a Bachelor of Social work and a Certificate in Geriatrics. Tara has over 20 years of geriatric experience in the Triangle market. She is also a member of SHARP.
Jasmine Thurston, Vice – President
Email: jasmine@wisdomseniorcare.com
Phone: 919-323-3693
Jasmine Thurston a Geriatric Care Manager/ Agency Supervisor for Wisdom Senior Care. Wisdom Senior Care is a 24 hour 7 days a week Home Care Company that takes pride in assuring that seniors are safe and happy in their home. As a graduate of Winston Salem State University I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology. The love that I have for the senior population intrigued me to go after this degree and become an advocate for seniors. I am a part of the National Geriatric Association (ALCA), and take pride in volunteering in the community. Also a part of the SHARP group as well.
Doug Koenig, Treasurer
I’m a Navy brat, said in the kindest of terms! As a child in a military family, I understand the unique challenges of military life from that perspective. Yes, moving all over the Gulf Coast, making new friends, and having dad deployed for long periods … it is what we all went through together. And, as a result, as an attorney and a person, I appreciate the sacrifice of those who have chosen to serve in the armed forces.
In 1976 I completed undergraduate work at Dartmouth College and hold a degree in Materials Engineering from Thayer School of Engineering. I worked in the materials area for a few years until the siren call of computers grew too loud, and I started working for Digital Equipment Corporation. One of my clients was Ford Motor Company, and eventually I settled there for the remainder of my career.
Most recently, after retiring from Ford, I received my law degree from the Michigan State University College of Law where I was involved in the business law and alternative dispute resolution programs.
In 2010, I established a compassionate Elder Law practice, which is focused on planning. My goal is to help my clients get to a place where they are comfortable with preparation for life’s transitions. This is centered on Estate Planning, and includes Veteran’s benefits, Medicaid planning, and the related wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Now, I have added Kids Protection Planning for younger clients.
I’m active in several organizations, currently serving as treasurer for the American Inn of Court (Craven Everett Inn) and CHADER. I’m also a past-president (and president elect for 2019) for the North Carolina Association of Professional Family Mediators (NCAPFM). When appropriate, I offer time and expertise to various programs, including LEAP (via the NC Bar Association), Legal Aid of North Carolina, the UNC Pro Bono Cancer Clinic, and other organizations. My other service time includes the Durham Downtown Rotary Club and the Gideons.
Church matters are important too and so I spend time participating in and leading bible study groups (Bible Study Fellowships a wonderful organization!). I also enjoy sailing, photography, traveling, and, of course, friends and family! My wife and I have been married for 41 years, and we have three grown children and two grandchildren.
Shannon Tippette, Secretary
Email: shannon@seniorsguide.com
Phone: 919-710-6779
Shannon Tippette is Associate Publisher with Seniors Guide/Ross Publishing and Ross Media Solutions. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she majored in English and Psychology. She has dedicated her professional career to helping families find the right options for parents and loved ones through serving in the retirement housing, home care, and senior publication industries.
She has been a NC Licensed Assisted Living Administrator and has served on the North Carolina Assisted Living Association board, and has been a board member, founder or facilitator for Chapel Hill and Durham Eldercare Resources (CHADER), Health Affairs Roundtable (HART), Senior Resource Alliance, Senior Connect, AWARE, Fifteen Minutes of Fame and Alzheimer’s North Carolina Inc.
Currently, she serves on boards for National Aging in Place Council – Triangle Chapter (NAIPC), Health Affairs Round Table (HART), Chapel Hill and Durham Eldercare Resources (CHADER) and Senior Connect. In her personal time she is serves her community through volunteering and national missions at Richland Creek Community Church.
Davis Capps, Member at Large
Email: jcapps1@brookdale.com
Phone: 919-316-8892
Davis Capps began his career in senior living in 2015 when he was hired as “Business Development Director” for Brookdale Senior Living. In this position, Davis is responsible for initiating referrals from professional partners in senior living that result in move-ins for Brookdale’s independent living, assisted living and memory care communities in the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill areas of North Carolina. While continually keeping the Senior’s best interests as the top priority, Davis works daily with many reputable senior organizations to provide much-needed resources to our senior community and their families.
Prior to joining Brookdale, Davis worked in tobacco sales for seven years with Lorillard Tobacco Company out of Greensboro, North Carolina. During the middle of 2015, Lorillard was purchased by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company which forced Davis to look elsewhere for employment. After looking into the growth potential of the industry and speaking with several leaders about their passion for taking care of seniors, Davis felt that it was a good time to make the move into his current role with Brookdale.
Davis earned his Business Management degree from North Carolina State University in 1989 and currently resides in Youngsville, NC with his wife of twenty years, Carla, and their three teenage children Branson, Kennedy and Emily. In his spare time, he can be found at the ballfields watching his kid’s play softball, basketball, soccer and volleyball or either at a Wolfpack game cheering on his alma mater.
