Mary Sanders, OCCOA Board of Directors President
Mary is the supervisor and assessor for Hayes Township in Otsego County. She graduated from Alma College and was a past secondary education teacher. She has done graduate work at Michigan State University and is a certified Level III Michigan Advanced Assessing Officer (MAAO). In addition to serving on the OCCOA board, Mary is the chair of the Munson/OMH Council, a member of the Munson Board of Directors, and serves on the Munson/OMH Foundation Committee, the Otsego County Economic Alliance Board, Otsego County Ambulance Board, and is a member of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). She is a past member of Otsego County United Way and RSVP.
Nancy Ragan, OCCOA Board of Directors Vice President
Nancy retired from Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital after 44 years in nursing. She received her Associates Degree from St. Clair County Community College and her BSN from Madonna University. Her healthcare experience includes hospital nursing, home care, hospice, software education and, most recently, staff development coordination. She facilitated the Caregiver Support Group for OCCOA for many years until 2020, when she became an instructor for the OCCOA’s former Creating Confident Caregivers course. Nancy, and her husband Ken, have raised three wonderful children and are now enjoying their four grandchildren.
Brett Bowen, OCCOA Board of Directors Treasurer
Brett is a resident of Gaylord and a Vice President, Senior Commercial Loan Officer with Horizon Bank. He holds the CTP designation (Certified Treasury Professional), with over 24 years of experience in banking and more outside of banking. He is an alumnus of Indiana University, Colorado State University, and the Defense Language Institute. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division where he was a linguist in military intelligence. He serves on the boards for the Otsego County Commission on Aging and the Otsego County EMS. He is a graduate of the Gaylord Area Chamber’s leadership program and a member of the Northern Michigan Veterans Coalition, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Brett is married and the proud father of two daughters.
Tim Hall, OCCOA Board of Directors Secretary
Tim is the Regional President and an Executive Vice President of State Savings Bank and has been in the banking industry in Gaylord for over 35 years. He holds a B.A. in Finance from Michigan State University and a Master of Business Administration from Lake Superior State University. Tim has served the community in an array of civic and philanthropic causes over the years. In addition to serving on the OCCOA Board, Tim is currently the Secretary for the Gaylord Rotary Club and a member of the Finance Committee at the Gaylord Methodist Church.
Dawn Halleck, OCCOA Board of Directors Member
Dawn is the Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital. She has been a registered nurse for 30 years and has a passion for the older adult population. Dawn spent 24 years at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, where she brought specialized geriatric education to Munson Healthcare nurses and nursing assistants. Dawn received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Lake Superior State University and Masters’ Degree in Nursing Administration from Walden University. Dawn resides in Gaylord with her husband, Chris. They are both originally from Alpena and have raised two beautiful girls.
James Heller, OCCOA Board of Directors Member
James has been an attorney with Bensinger, Cotant & Menkes, PC in Gaylord, since 2022, specializing in civil litigation and corporate transactions and estates. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Arizona State University in 2008 and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego, California, in 2020. James was a coach for Gaylord Little League from 2022 to 2024, has provided pro bono assistance for employment discrimination in San Diego in 2021, was involved with community theater programming and youth events in Telluride, CO from 2012 to 2017, and had an internship for voter outreach for Gov. Janet Napolitano in Phoenix, AZ from 2006 to 2008.
Constance Messina, OCCOA Board of Directors Member
Connie has been a registered nurse for almost 40 years. She is retired and calls Otsego County her permanent home. She has been a hospital nurse for 35+ years. During this period, she served as a staff RN in hospitals in Detroit and was also a unit manager in a CICU. She most recently worked as a clinical manager at a private office and performed cardiac testing. She has served on many committees dealing with adult patient care, including community outreach services in the Detroit area, where she worked on behalf of the poor and underserved. Connie has served on church committees and currently serves on the Region 9 Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council as a delegate representing Otsego County. She enjoys the elderly and throughout her career has worked with adult populations. She has a lot of experience with many different types of people and believes everyone is deserving of respect, dignity, and as much comfort in life as possible.
Larry Platte, OCCOA Board of Directors Member
Larry is life-long resident of Gaylord. He has run several successful businesses in Gaylord and currently is the owner of The Porches of Gaylord Assisted/Independent Living Community, a 20-room state-licensed facility caring for the area’s senior population. He is currently in the process of building Phase II, with 20 more rooms, to accommodate light and full memory care. The Porches was born out of a very personal journey with Larry’s father and taking care of the senior population is close to his heart. Larry is a graduate of Gaylord High School and an alumnus of Central Michigan University. He is a member of the Michigan Center for Assisted Living (MCAL) Michigan, holding multiple certifications and is NAB (National Association of Long Term Care Administration Boards) certified.
Rachel Smith, OCCOA Board of Directors Member
Rachel was born and raised in Gaylord. In 2008, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science. She is a licensed funeral director at Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service. In addition to serving on the OCCOA Board, Rachel serves on the Gaylord Area Chamber Board, Otsego County Sportsplex Board, Gaylord E-Free Church Leadership Board, Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the GHS Medical Occupation Committee. She is a graduate of Leadership Otsego County, has four children and is thankful to be raising her family in this community.
Rob Weaver, Otsego County Board of Commissioners Liaison
Rob is a commissioner for the Otsego County Board of Commissioners, representing District 9, and is the liaison to the Otsego County Commission on Aging Board of Directors.
Dana Wingo, Otsego County Board of Commissioners Liaison Alternate
Dana is currently a commissioner for the Otsego County Board of Commissioners, representing District 8, and is the alternate liaison to the Otsego County Commission on Aging Board of Directors.
OCCOA Management
Dona J. Wishart
Executive Director
“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.”
~ Warren G. Bennis