Board Members

Meet Our Board of Directors

Bob Hopkins, President
Bob’s background consists of a BS in accounting and computer science and has contributed to the operation of the Senior Center by his expertise in these areas.  He volunteers by purchasing prizes and calling bingo. 

Ted Post, Vice President
Ted has associate degrees in business and criminal justice and his career consists of serving on the Bridgman and St. Joseph Police departments.  He is a member of the First Church of God, a camera club and the Berrien County 911 Board.  He has experience with fundraising, community relations, program development and budget management.  During the past year he has been a van driver and involved in various activities at the Center. 

Subhas Dhodapkar, Treasurer
Subhas was born in Baroda, India and spent his growing years in the Eastern part of India. He and his wife, Saroj, were married in 1968 and migrated to the USA in 1970. They have two children and one grandchild, and all of them live in the Chicago area. Subhas worked for UPS for 25 years, and after receiving his PH.D. (Supply Chain Management), he was a faculty member for 20+ years. They moved to St. Joseph from Las Vegas in 2022 to be near their children and grandchild. In their spare time they enjoy reading, playing board games, traveling, and entertaining friends and family. Subhas is honored to be on the Board of Directors of the SJLSSC and looks forward to working with the other Board Members and the Staff.

Patty Nordberg, Secretary
Patty holds a Master’s degree in education from Michigan State University.  She taught for 33 years in the Mayfield Public Schools as well as Lakeshore Public Schools. Patty was a volunteer at Lory’s Place, Silver Beach Carousel, First Congregational UCC, and the Twin City Book Club.   

Celina Bevelhymer, Director
Celina’s education consists of a BA in business administration and has worked at several companies during her career, including GE Capital, Transamerica, Whirlpool Financial and Sears. She is a member of several local organizations and volunteers at many of them including fundraising and Treasurer of the Shoreline Garden Club, as well as projects here at the Senior Center.

Pauline Fox, Director
Pauline’s career consisted of working 30 years for Social Security. As a claim representative, the majority of her case load was assisting seniors. After retirement, she worked as an assistant manager at Curves and as a receptionist at a local real estate office. She joined the Senior Center when she turned 60 and began volunteering within two weeks making tax appointments. That began her time as an active volunteer at the Center. When the Circuit Training room opened in 2017, she became a Monitor which has continued to date. In 2018, she became a Board member. She was the President of the Board from October 2021 – October 2024. She served on several Board committees and chairs the new volunteer Event committee. She also serves on the personnel & nominating committees.

Jim Hlifka, Director
James completed one year of college. His previous experience includes working as a hotel manager, retail manager, sales associate and library custodian. He has volunteered his time over the past year and is currently involved in several committees at our Center.  He was instrumental in bringing the Healthy Eats program to the Center.  James was enthusiastic about our Center-forward-long-range goal. 

Gary Krokker, Director
Gary has a background in executive leadership and operational management in the landscape industry, he has a proven record of improving efficiency, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and transforming struggling companies into successful enterprises. He loves to identify challenges and turn them into opportunities for growth. Beyond his professional work, he is deeply committed to volunteerism. He serves at First Church of God on the Greeting Team and support Restoration House, a recovery program for men overcoming substance abuse. He also volunteer as a Substitute Monitor in the Circuit Training Room at SJLSC, engaging with members focused on improving their health.

Mark Johnson, Director
Mark has served on the board since July, 2022. He’s a graduate of Purdue University with a B.A. in Political Science. A newspaper reporter and editor for 35 years, his last position was managing editor at LaPorte Herald-Argus in Indiana. While retired, he has been a substitute teacher at Lakeshore and Saint Joseph High Schools and a driver education instructor. He has served on many journalism and community advisory boards, including the LaPorte YMCA board of directors.  He is currently a member and chairman of the Public Advisory Committee for Berrien Bus.  Mark enjoys getting to know our Senior Center members as a van driver for the past eight years.

Dennis McCarthy, Director
Dennis holds a PhD and has served as a dean and director of higher education institutions for 40 years.  He has more than 30 years of grant writing and grant management experience, 40 years of advertising and promotion experience, and 25 years of business professional development.  Dennis volunteers as a consultant/coordinator for grant hunting and grand development for our Senior Center.  He leads the 2024 Strategic Planning Committee.  Dennis has served on several boards over the years.

Dennis Meadows, Director
Dennis holds a Bachelor’s degree in biology and is a registered veterinary technician.  His career includes roles as a business owner, real estate associate broker, and building maintenance professional.  He is currently a member of Berrien County Animal Control, Twin Cities Players, and various fitness clubs.  Dennis is currently a weight room volunteer and oversees the volunteer schedule. He was involved in the recent purchase of the Matrix fitness equipment. 

Cheryl Ryno, Director
Cheryl has a Bachelors equivalent degree from Lake Michigan College. Cheryl was a registered nurse for 38 years, which included Senior Practice Manager for three medical practices.  She managed 12 practitioners, plus 15 employees. She has had experience in family practice, walk-in clinic, internal medicine, school nursing and has taught CPR for the Red Cross. She was a Mary Kay Senior Sales Director for many years. She has volunteered at the YWCA. She attends The Chapel where she co-teaches a Widows Group. She is on the Administrative Team for BSF, an international Bible study group.