Executive Director and Center Managers' Biographies

Dan Taylor-
Executive Director East Valley Senior Services, Inc

Dan Taylor was hired in May 1990 as the Executive Director of the East Valley Senior Services, Inc. which is a multi-purpose organization with three senior centers (Mesa, Mesa East, and Apache Junction), one satellite location (Leisure World), a senior housing complex, East Valley RSVP and a Foundation. In March 1999 Mesa Senior Center East moved into the Red Mountain Multigenerational Center, a 65,000 square foot facility that includes Parks and Recreation, senior center and adult day care programs.  In 2004 a new administration office was obtained through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.  In July 2005 a new multigenerational center in Apache Junction is scheduled to open with the Senior Center as a permanent component. Prior to this position, Dan was the Director of Program Services at the Indianapolis Senior Citizens' Center for 16 years.

His current responsibilities include, but are not limited to, overall administrative supervision of the organization, liaison to the Board of Directors, community involvement, grant writing and fund raising.  During his fifteen years with the organization several new programs have been implemented, Meals While You Heal, Mesa Intergenerational Partnership, Horticultural Center, a Partnership in Discovery Point (183 unit senior housing complex), Caring Corps and RIDE Choice.

Over this last two years Dan served on the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee for the City of Mesa and the Commission on Productive Aging sponsored by Libraries of the Future.  He was the Program Chair for the 2004 Governor’s Conference on Aging. He is a recent graduate of the Mesa Citizens Police Academy.   In May 1995 he received a Masters of Arts in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.

His involvement in the community ranges from national to local committees:

NATIONAL
1998-2000 Vice-Chair, National Institute of Senior Centers (National Council on the Aging)
2000- present Coordinator, National Senior Center Accreditation
2000- present ASA/NCOA Conference Track Chair for Leadership and Organizational Development.

STATE
Past Chair and Treasurer, Arizona Senior Center Association
Member, Planning Committee for the Governor’s Conference on Aging (1993, 1996, 1998, 2004)
Benefits Check-up Task Force (2004- present)

LOCAL
Past Chair, Mayor's Alliance Against Drugs
Mesa Committee on Aging
Chair, Seniors and Minorities subcommittee, Mesa's Census 2000 Committee
Member, Mesa Rotary (1991 – Present)

He is married with three daughters ages 24, 22 and 20 years.

East Valley Senior Services, Inc.
45 W. University Drive, Suite A
Mesa, AZ 85201
(480) 964-9014  ext. 103
E-mail: dantaylor@evseniorservices.org

Terry Crawford-
Apache Junction Senior Center Manager

Terry was born in Dickinson, North Dakota and grew up on a farm in Belfield, North Dakota.  She started working for then Mesa Senior Services, now East Valley Senior Services in 1998.  Terry started out as a van driver.  She has also been a Home Delivered Meals monitor, driven seniors to medical appointments and shopping, as well as worked on the Resource Guide.  Terry is currently the Center Manager of the Apache Junction Senior Center.

Terry has 3 children and 1 grandchild.  She enjoys reading, fishing, and watching CSI and Law and Order.  Terry is a member of Apache Junction Soroptimist International and the Arizona Senior Center Association.  In her spare time, Terry volunteers at the East Valley Bunny Rescue Center.

Leslie DeJong-
Mesa Senior Center Manager

Leslie has been active in aging services for 24 years with an emphasis in programming for older adults. She believes that learning and serving are on a continuous spectrum that needs to be nurtured throughout one’s lifetime. The stimulus to learn and the challenge to serve should always be encouraged, no matter your age. Leslie authored the “Passport To Living” Wellness Program and the Denture Program. These two programs have assisted older adults in the community to remain independent and also provides them with the tools and skills to work with health care providers to keep them active and enjoying life. Prior to working for East Valley Senior Services, Leslie taught English, speech and drama.  She remains active in Gamma Phi Beta and National Thespians.

Jane Eck-
Red Mountain Senior Center Manager

Jane is an experienced management professional with community focus.  Her strengths include staff and volunteer leadership, customer satisfaction and inter/intra-agency coordination.  She has experience empowering seniors in social and recreational programs, first as the program coordinator for Red Mountain Senior Center, then called Mesa Senior Center East and most recently as the Center Manager.  Utilizing an optimistic attitude and progressive thinking, Red Mountain Senior Center strives to "be the best it can be" with Jane's leadership and teamwork focus.   

Jane is very active in the Arizona Senior Center Association, currently as the Past President and has served as both the Treasurer and President in past years.