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(Sarasota, FL) – Oct. 25, 2018 – Friendship Centers, a nonprofit serving adults over 50 in Southwest Florida, announced six new board governors at a recent board meeting. The board of governors brings together regional community leaders from five counties to govern Senior Friendship Centers, Inc. and Senior Friendship Centers Foundation, Inc. “This is an exciting time for the Friendship Centers’ Board of Governors,” said BOG Chair Kevin Maisch. “As terms end for some wonderful contributors, these new governors represent a broad range of business and talent from the SW Florida communities we serve. Each has an affinity for assuring our mission – to promote health, dignity and quality of life throughout the journey of aging,” Maisch added. New Board of Governors Members: Paul Caragiulo is wrapping up his most current role as Sarasota County commissioner, served as a Sarasota City Commissioner and is a partner in several family restaurant businesses. Paul is extremely active in local city and county activities and was named Best City Commissioner from 2012 to 2014, Best County Commissioner in 2015 and Best Elected Official in 2016. After attending college in New Jersey, he returned to Sarasota to join the family restaurant business. In addition to his experience running several businesses, Caragiulo is a former opera singer and a licensed pilot. Vicki Dworski had a career in management consulting and wealth management in Philadelphia. During her professional career, she obtained a real estate license and a Series 6 Securities license and eventually worked with the managing partner of BDO, an internationally recognized wealth management and financial planning firm. After retirement, Dworski served on the Parents Committee at Abington Friends School, was vice president of the Sisterhood at Beth Sholom Congregation in Elkins Park, PA, and was a board member of Friends of Moss Hospital. Following her move to Sarasota, Dworski volunteers regularly at Friendship Centers. Wendy Fishman is the executive vice president and senior trust officer with Caldwell Trust Company and is recognized by the American Bankers Association as a certified trust and financial advisor. She is an honors graduate of the ABA National Graduate Trust School at Northwestern University. Her most recent pro bono activities have included serving as a member and past board chair of SCOPE (Sarasota County Openly Plans for Excellence), co-chair of the Domestic Violence Study Group for SCOPE; mentor, Take Stock in Children of Sarasota County, Inc.; and board member and past chair of Sky YMCA. Marilyn Gregory has worked as staff and a volunteer for 18 years with SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders). In addition, she worked for the Health Planning Council of SW Florida as an ACA marketplace navigator, as well as with the Area Agency on Aging for SW Florida. She obtained a degree in business from Lake Erie College, OH and is certified as a Senior Exercise Instructor. Michael Juceam, Esq. is CEO/owner of Right at Home, Sarasota, a private duty home health company. Juceam serves on the executive committee of the national board of directors of the Home Care Association of America, as well as the state board of the Florida chapter of the Home Care Association of America. He served for three terms as president and member of the board of directors of the Sarasota County Aging Network (SCAN) and is a past president and member of the board of directors of the Manatee Aging Network (MAN). Juceam is a graduate of Brown University in RI, and received his law degree from Rutgers University, Camden in NJ. Michael Karp, Esq. received his undergraduate degree from New York University, School of Commerce and his law degree from Cornell University. After 17 years of practice in the New York area, he joined the Sarasota law firm of Wood, Scheb & Whitesell P.A., where he established a civil litigation department. In retirement he has volunteered his legal services with Friendship Centers, meeting once a week at the center in Sarasota to provide older adults with free legal counsel. In addition, he moderates a discussion group called “What’s Happening Now.” The 20-30 men and women in the group have become a "family" for one another and the group is looking to expand this program to the Venice facility. Karp is a retired member of the Florida Bar and lives in Sarasota. For more information about the work of the Friendship Centers, visit the website at friendshipcenters.org, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter, @sfc_fl. About Friendship Centers Since 1973, Friendship Centers serves older adults in Sarasota, Charlotte, DeSoto, Lee and Collier Counties. Its mission is to promote health, dignity and quality of life throughout the journey of aging. For more than four decades the organization has served persons 50 and older with programs and services that include medical and dental clinics, activity centers, lifelong learning, meals at centers and delivered to the homebound, caregiver support, adult day services, and case management. Almost 700 volunteers give their time valued at more than $3 million annually. For more information, visit friendshipcenters.org or call 941.955.2122.