Board of Directors

D'Ahn FowlerPresident

Jodi Gidley

Beth GodseyExecutive Director

Beth Godsey has served as the Executive Director of the East Texas Alzheimer’s Alliance since 2018, where she is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, as well as supporting their families and caregivers throughout East Texas. With a strong commitment to advocacy, education, and community engagement, she works to expand resources and awareness for those affected by dementia-related illnesses.

She is a Certified Dementia Specialist, a Best Friends™ Certified Master Trainer, and a Project Lifesaver Certified Electronic Search Specialist, bringing specialized expertise in dementia care, caregiver education, and safety initiatives for individuals prone to wandering.

Beth earned a Master’s degree in Business Management from LeTourneau University and combines her professional leadership with deep personal experience in caregiving. She cared for her father, who lived with dementia until his passing in 2023, and she and her husband, Mike, currently care for her mother-in-law, who has lived with them for the past five years while living with dementia. These experiences have strengthened her passion for supporting caregivers and advocating for compassionate dementia care.

She and her husband have been married for 36 years and are proud parents of three children and grandparents to five grandchildren. They live in Hallsville, Texas, where she continues to serve her community on various Boards and Committees through leadership, education, and advocacy for families affected by dementia.

Chris HallTreasurer

Beth HawthornVice President

I was raised in Longview, built my career in travel technology while living in Atlanta, GA and eventually found my way back home to East Texas. Today, I serve as a Realtor with Summers Cook & Company, but one of the roles closest to my heart is serving as a Director on the Board of the East Texas Alzheimer’s Alliance.

My passion for dementia advocacy is deeply personal. My father passed away from Lewy body dementia, and walking that journey with him changed me. It opened my eyes to the challenges families face and the importance of support, education, and community.

Serving on the board allows me to honor his memory by helping other families feel less alone. I’m proud to be part of an organization that brings resources, awareness, and hope to caregivers and those living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias across East Texas.

Sally HendricksHope & Help Day Club, Director of Fun

Sally Hendricks serves as the Director of Fun for the Hope & Help Day Club, where she brings joy, creativity, and compassion to individuals living with dementia and their families. With a lifelong passion for education and nurturing others, Sally creates engaging and meaningful experiences that promote dignity, connection, and quality of life for participants.

Before joining the Hope & Help Day Club, Sally enjoyed a distinguished career with Hallsville ISD as a kindergarten teacher, special needs teacher, and elementary curriculum specialist. Her years in education equipped her with a deep understanding of learning, patience, and individualized care—skills that now enrich her work with older adults living with cognitive challenges.

Sally’s dedication to dementia care is also deeply personal. She was a caregiver for her mother during her journey with dementia, an experience that shaped her empathy and commitment to supporting other families facing similar challenges.

A longtime resident of Hallsville, Texas, Sally has been married to her husband, Tom, for 43 years. Together they have two daughters and are the proud grandparents of six grandchildren. Sally continues to serve her community by bringing warmth, laughter, and purpose to every person she encounters.

Amy Hooten

Stephanie Hunt

Steve Jones

Bio Coming Soon

Kelsey Kernohan

Shelly Longacre

Meredith MaySecretary

Chris Parker

Chris is an elder law attorney with the firm of Ishihara & Parker Law Firm PLLC. He is an accredited Veterans Affairs Attorney, a member of the National Association of Elder Law attorneys and licensed to practice in Texas. Chris is married to Danieli Parker who is the principal at Hallsville North Elementary. They have three children Jacob, Audrey, and Jackson.

Chris is a former felony prosecutor in Gregg County where he represented the victims of the community for over a decade. He prosecuted hundreds of cases and represented many of the most vulnerable members of our community.

Chris and his family attend service at St. Mary’s Church and Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Chris and his family are involved in local soccer, rugby and wrestling leagues.

Jennifer Portwood

Traci Preston

James "Jim" Sawyer, M.D., FACPDIRECTOR AT-LARGE

Dr. James Sawyer lives in Longview with his wife Nancy and retired from active medical practice in January 2017. He continues to serve as a consultant to the Medicare Center of Diagnostic Clinic of Longview (DCOL) and to the DCOL IT department on a limited basis. Dr. Sawyer graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a B.S. in Chemistry in 1973, then earned his M.D. from the University of Alabama in Birmingham in 1976. Dr. Sawyer then moved to Houston to complete his residency in Internal Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine where he remained on faculty for 2 years prior to his move to Longview in 1982. He is a member of the American College of Physicians and the Texas Medical Association. He is active at Trinity Episcopal Church in Longview. He volunteers with the Alzheimer’s Alliance of East Texas, Refuge International, and Meals on Wheels through Trinity Episcopal Church.

Lisa Scrimpsher

Lisa is a resident of Longview and is a Nurse Practitioner with PalliCare, Inc. PalliCare is a community-based palliative care practice in Northeast Texas providing care to patients with serious chronic illness. Lisa’s focus is working with geriatric patients on-site at multiple Longview area assisted living facilities, and a large majority of her patients have been diagnosed with some form of dementia. She received both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Austin. Lisa and her husband Jason are proud parents of two kids, Nolan and Charlotte. She is excited to serve the East Texas community with the ETAA to increase awareness of resources and provide education to seniors and families navigating Alzheimer’s Disease.

Jennifer Smith, DDS

Jennifer Smith currently resides in Longview, Texas and is the Chief of Dental Services at Wellness Pointe. She received her Bachelors of Science degree from Loyola University New Orleans and her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. Jennifer is a member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, and East Texas Dental Society.  She serves as Fundraiser Chair on East Texas Alzheimer’s Alliance (ETAA) Board. Jennifer is an active member of the Junior League of Longview and New Beginnings Church and on the Board of Directors of the East Texas Literacy Council. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys traveling, exercising, hiking, watching sports, and spending time with her dogs.

Nikki Vineyard-Crockett

Nikki Vineyard is a lifetime Texas resident and currently resides in Longview.  Nikki is the Owner of CarePatrol of Northeast Texas which helps seniors and their families navigate the Senior Care Industry with a focus on helping them find Safe Senior Care. Her previous career has been in the staffing industry, office management, event coordinator and bid / project management.  Nikki just recently became a Board Member of the East Texas Alzheimer Alliance and feels it is a way to give back to the seniors she supports.  She also serves on the Board of the East Texas Senior Citizen Coalition (ETSCC). In her spare time, Nikki enjoys traveling, all things outdoors and spending time with her family and friends.  Soaking up God’s creation brings a renewed spirit and helps her stay focused on God’s plan in her life.

Constable Jim Weatherall