Originally from central Indiana, Charles has lived in Lexington since 1982 when he came to work at Good Samaritan Hospital as a nuclear medicine technologist. In 1987 he became the program director of the associate of applied science degree program in nuclear medicine technology at Lexington Community College (now Bluegrass Community and Technical College). Teaching and community service were the emphases at the community college rather than research, so he has spent time volunteering not only for professional societies but also for local groups such as Ronald McDonald House, A Moveable Feast, and ITNBluegrass in the past 30 years. He is also very involved at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church having served on the vestry (board), nominating committee for clergy, sabbatical planning committee, and choir among other groups in the church.
Charles has two sons: Charles who teaches math at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, and Robert who is the current chaplain at St. Augustine’s Chapel on UK’s campus for the Episcopal/Lutheran Ministry. Charles and his partner, Beth, have his three grandchildren, Dottie, Kitty, and Gus.
In 2017, Charles retired from BCTC, and he now works as a nuclear medicine technologist again 1 1/2 days/week at Lexington Diagnostic Center and Open MRI. The remainder of his time is devoted to A Moveable Feast, ITNBluegrass, St. Michael’s, and his grandchildren. He also enjoys traveling with a friend from Chicago. They have toured Morocco, traveled to England on the Queen Mary 2, and spent about 10 days traveling on the trains and buses to see some of the great cathedrals and hear the choirs in Bristol, Cardiff (Wales), Coventry, Lincoln, York, Durham, and Edinburgh (Scotland).
Dr. Erin Cooper is the co-owner, along with her husband, of Olive Health Direct Primary Care here in Lexington. She is board certified in Family Medicine and Geriatric Medicine and has been practicing for 10 years. Dr. Cooper is originally from upstate New York. She attended medical school in Philadelphia where she met her husband. Prior to moving to Lexington in 2015 to be closer to family, they lived and practiced in Nebraska where her husband served in the U.S. Air Force. The Coopers have 2 children and love Kentucky! Dr. Cooper is thrilled to serve on the ITN Board and hopes her medical perspective will help support the wonderful mission of the organization.
John graduated from U of Louisville Speed School of Engineering with a BEE (Bachelors of Electrical Engineering). After graduation he worked for McDonnell Aircraft (now Boeing Aircraft) in St. Louis. John learned to fly in St. Louis, and after a two-year term in the U.S. Army, was hired by Mohawk Airlines in Utica, NY. Through a series of mergers, the airline evolved into US Airways. He flew several different airplanes in his airline career, including the Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 his final six years with US Airways. John retired after 32 years from US Airways (now American Airlines).
In retirement John has done seasonal tax preparation for Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. He served one term on the Lexington Blue Grass Airport Board of Directors from 2006-2010.
John and his wife Joan have lived in Lexington since 1972. Their son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren (ages 16 and 17) live in Cincinnati. They maintain a close relationship with extended family.
At the urging of ITN Bluegrass founder Gale Reece, John became a part-time volunteer driver in 2011. John states, “It is clear that ITNBluegrass provides an important auto transportation service to qualified Lexington residents who seldom or no longer drive.
Sue Michael is a retired IT Project Manager. Her background is leading large international development and installation efforts for IBM, Lexmark, and Humana. Her experience in technology and organization allows her to bring insight into the ITNBluegrass board and implement the computer system used to track rides and keep up with our members.
In retirement, Sue helps care for her mom, a former ITNBluegrass rider, and her baby granddaughter. She also enjoys gardening, traveling internationally, and fixing things around the house. Sue enjoys relaxing at Lake Herrington on the weekends.
Jennifer Garland joined the ITNBluegrass Board in March 2024. She is a seasoned social worker with 12 years of dedicated service at the Lexington Senior Center. Holding a master’s degree in social work from the University of Kentucky.
Jennifer’s professional journey is a testament to her passion for supporting seniors in their pursuit of independence and dignity. Her career at the Lexington Senior Center is marked by active engagement with the senior community, where she provides valuable resources and advocates for each person’s well-being.
Jennifer has been actively involved in various leadership capacities within the community, serving as vice chairperson and secretary on the board of LexCare for nine years. She led the Health and Nutrition Committee of the Aging Consortium, focusing on initiatives that bring health screening tools to the community. She also served as Secretary of Life Plan of Kentucky for the past five years.
As Jennifer continues her professional journey, her unwavering goal is to empower seniors. She envisions a future where seniors can access resources that enable them to lead independent lives filled with dignity and purpose.
Lauren Hileman is a seasoned accounting professional with a decade of experience, including six years specializing in the nonprofit sector. She currently serves as a Senior Consultant at Dean Dorton, where she has spent the past three years providing strategic financial guidance and operational support to nonprofit organizations. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Lauren earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 2015.
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, she brings both regional insight and a deep commitment to mission-driven work. Her expertise spans financial reporting, compliance, internal controls, and systems optimization, making her a valuable asset in strengthening fiscal accountability and supporting sustainable growth for the organizations she serves.
Lauren is passionate about empowering nonprofits to maximize their impact through sound financial stewardship.
Dr. Lawrence R. Crouch is an accomplished educator, counselor, and university administrator with over four decades of experience in higher education, counseling, and student affairs. He currently serves as Clinical Director for School Counseling and Assistant Professor at Eastern Kentucky University, where he has taught for more than twenty years. Dr. Crouch earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Student Personnel, and Community College Administration from Southern Illinois University and holds credentials as a National Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Kentucky. His career includes senior administrative roles at the University of Kentucky, Slippery Rock University, and Southern Illinois University, leading initiatives in student services, career development, and institutional advancement. A published author, presenter, and retired U.S. Army officer, Dr. Crouch remains dedicated to mentoring students and advancing the counseling profession.
Gale Griffin Reece spent 20 years in a 32 acre underground quarry helping build the two family businesses, Kentucky Underground Storage and Highbridge Spring Water. Next, she followed her passions into elder services developing ITNBluegrass (senior transportation) 2006, i know expo (annual exposition of senior services) 2013, Reimagining Home (housing alternatives for seniors) 2017 and serving as Board Chair of Friends of the Lexington Senior Center 2017. As of September 2024, she is back lending a hand at ITNBluegrass after over 125,000 rides have been given. The other joys in her life are her sons, being the grandmother of 12 grandchildren and spending time in Florida with her husband, Merrill.
Dawn Brockman is an alumna of Asbury University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Ethics. She is deeply committed to supporting service organizations that strengthen communities and improve quality of life throughout Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region.
With more than 30 years of professional experience, Ms. Brockman has demonstrated leadership in association and organizational management, board governance, operational oversight, systems development, human resource management, external communications, and event coordination.
She is also the author of a comprehensive leadership curriculum, registered with the Library of Congress, which focuses on essential skill development, global citizenship, and community engagement.
Joe joined ITNBluegrass in early 2020 as a driver in the early stages of the Covid Pandemic. As the Pandemic worsened, he was given the opportunity to lead the home meal delivery to shut-in seniors in cooperation with the Lexington Senior Citizen Center. After the grant for those deliveries ended, he took on the role of Dispatch/Ride Coordinator and sometimes driver.
Originally from Rose Hill (Mercer County), Kentucky, Joe’s work experience includes over 20 years in a Goodyear Franchise and a long stint with Toyota in Georgetown as a Team Leader in the Power Train Division. Joe’s most proud moment was graduating from the University of Kentucky with a BBA at 56. Joe is an avid Wildcat fan and advocates for the kind and humane treatment of all animals.
Elizabeth Varney joined the ITNBluegrass team in July 2021 as a dispatcher/ride coordinator (and driver when called upon!). She retired from the Kentucky Community and Technical College System business office a few years earlier with plans to sell her homemade soups to the Lexington community, but as time went on, circumstances and desire changed. When the opportunity to work at ITN came along, she knew that was the direction in which she wanted to go.
Elizabeth still makes her whole food plant-based soups for friends and family, as well as Mabel’s Magic Mush, an original soup for dogs, as a supplemental treat that all the neighborhood dogs are wild about. She is also the creator of “Chop-Chop”, a cookbook based on plant-based recipes that require no more than two items needing to be chopped. In her spare time Elizabeth runs, plays pickleball, reads, walks her dog, and tries to improve her Spanish and swing dancing. She lives in Lexington with her husband Matt and their dog Mabel.
Toya has been employed with ITN Bluegrass since 2011 as a part-time After Hours Coordinator. Toya is also a full-time Administrative Assistant and Transportation Coordinator with Fayette County Public Schools at Henry Clay High School. She enjoys helping others, traveling, reading, and spending time with family.
I’ve been with ITNBluegrass since 2013 – first as a board member, then as a volunteer driver, officer worker, and after-hours ride coordinator. I enjoy volunteering for ITNBluegrass as I have a passion for helping seniors. I vowed that when I retired I would find something to do to help our senior population. ITNBluegrass has fulfilled that vow. The riders are like family to me. I’ve learned all kinds of things from the riders including recipes and life hacks.
