STAFF, BOARD and COMMITTEES 

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JOHANNA MANDEL

Johanna joined CCV in March 2019 as Volunteer Director, served as Operations Director, and assumed the Executive Director role at the beginning of 2023. She has experience with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's support, has served as a Legal Assistant, and has 15 years of experience in local government management. She has a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma from the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center, is a Leadership Irving graduate, and has served on the Board of Examiners for the Quality Texas Foundation. In her role as Performance Manager, Irving received the Texas Award for Performance Excellence and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. After moving to Austin she worked with organizations seeking to apply the Baldrige framework as an independent consultant.  

Johanna holds a Bachelor of Science from Texas Tech University and Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington.  She lives with her two sons in Pflugerville and Pfinds it Pfriendly.

  

 

TECH ADVISOR, BONNIE GILSON

Bonnie started out as a volunteer with CCV, became the Volunteer Director in 2012, then the Executive Director in 2013. In 2016, she decided to move to the coast of Texas and work on the website, newsletters, member directory and reports, which can largely be performed remotely. A third-generation Texan with a BBA from the University of Houston and an MS in Organization Development from Case Western Reserve University, Bonnie's first career was with Shell Oil Company. She has two sons and four grandchildren in San Antonio and Fort Worth.

 

 

 

VILLAGE CONNECTIONS GRADUATE INTERN, AMELIA CARD

Native Texan, Amelia was raised on country and folk music and the value of service. Driven by wanderlust, she traveled the US and abroad playing music professionally and submerging herself in differing cultures. After settling in her home state, Amelia decided that obtaining a MS in Social Work would be the right next step. She began researching aging in the US and became a hospice volunteer, noticing a difference from other cultures abroad, and began to realize how many American seniors were isolated, depressed and suffering from a lack of community support. In her studies and her career, Amelia aspires to incorporate social work values, community strength and the connectivity of music making to assuage the transition and stigma of aging in the US. 

 

 

BOARD

Mart Hoffman, President

Mart is a native of Dallas and has lived in Austin since 1975.  He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from SMU, his Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin and his Master of Business Administration from St. Edward’s University. Mart is a retired Clinical Social Worker, Administrator and Teacher. He has also served as a Lay Leader and Stephen Minister at his church. He is one of the founding members of Capital City Village. Mart is an active camper, canoeist and golfer. He and his wife Sue have two adult children and three grandchildren.

Scott Blech, Past President

Scott has led local, state and international associations during his 35-year career in association management. He retired in 2012 after leading EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) as Executive Director for eight years. During his tenure EMDRIA started its professional journal and the EMDR Research Foundation. He currently serves on the CCV Finance Committee and the board of the EMDR Research Foundation. Scott previously held volunteer leadership positions with several professional, civic and charitable organizations. And he was President of the Jewish Federation of Austin and a Vice President and board member of Temple Beth Shalom, Austin. Scott has a BA in political science from the University of Michigan and an MA with honors from the University of Missouri. He received his Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives.

Tom McHorse, Past President

Tom describes himself as married to world’s best wife, Kay. Their three sons and their families live in Austin. Tom is a semi-retired gastroenterologist, a graduate of Millsaps College and the Baylor College of Medicine. Other interests include indigent healthcare at the Voluntary Healthcare Clinic, tennis, and membership at Tarrytown United Methodist Church.

Sue Hoffman, President Emeritus

A founding member of Capital City Village, Sue Hoffman is a licensed clinical social worker and a licensed marriage and family therapist. A recipient of a B.S. degree from Southern Methodist University and an MS in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin, she is a past-president of the ENDRIA Board of Directors and was named in 2010 the University of Texas School of Social Work Charles I. Wright Distinguished Alumna of the Year. Sue was the original recipient and namesake of the Sue Hoffman CCV Volunteer of the Year Award in 2014. Sue enjoys reading, traveling, canoeing and bicycling with Mart, her husband of 43 years.

Laurie Brown, Treasurer

Laurie Brown joined the Finance Committee as a member during early 2021 and is currently serving the board as Treasurer.  She has a BBA and master’s in accounting from Texas State University in San Marcos. She currently works at Texas State, as both Assistant Chair and Graduate Academic Advisor in the Department of Accounting at McCoy College of Business. She has also volunteered with CCV in other capacities. Laurie has a son and daughter, both living in the Austin area. When she is not working or volunteering, she enjoys traveling, tennis, and entertaining friends and family.

Barbara Epstein

Barbara is an Austin attorney who provides low-cost legal advice primarily to older adults. Her work history includes assignments at the General Land Office, Texas Railroad Commission, Texas Legal Services, and private practice. She has provided legal advice statewide to Area Agency on Aging benefits counselors and ombudsmen, worked closely with CMS, Social Security, Department of Aging and Disability, Health and Human Services and Adult Protective Services staff. She is a graduate of Antioch College, holds a MA in History from the University of Sussex, and a JD from the University of Texas School of Law.

Lori Forgay

A decades long friendship with a beloved neighbor who lived to be 106 years old is the inspiration behind Lori Forgay’s passion to serve the aging population. In addition to being a CCV active volunteer and a member of the Board, Lori founded and leads a nonprofit corporation established in 2010 called Engaging Wisdom. Its mission, which is constantly evolving to meet the needs of seniors, is: creating connection with the aging through kindness. Lori currently works as a proposal manager at apree health, the first end-to-end healthcare solution that redefines the care experience and transforms the way patients access and engage with care. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and English from California State University, Northridge.

Gayle Hight

Gayle Hight is new to the Capital City Village Board. Her broad career experience includes marketing, sales promotion, higher education, and financial services. Gayle earned her BS and MBA at The University of Texas at Austin and her MS from Texas Woman’s University. Currently a marketing manager at McCombs School of Business, Gayle is recognized for Outstanding Community Outreach on behalf of the University of Texas. She is active in Tarrytown Methodist Church. Her interests include graphics, branding, marketing, and messaging. She has three children and six grandchildren.

COMMITTEES

Development and Marketing - Interim Chair Tom McHorse

Finance - Chair Laurie Brown

Membership Services - Chair Sue Hoffman

Programs - Chair Rick Cloud

Community Outreach/Membership Recruitment 

Anyone interested in serving on a committee may contact us at info@capitalcityvillage.org and we will connect you to the committee chair.