Scott Hestevold, President, is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at The University of Alabama. During his 40 years on the UA faculty, Scott taught hundreds of students, served as department chair, and published essays about time and a book about space. Scott and his wife, Nita, are both HIP volunteers, and they are active in the Tuscaloosa and Birmingham ballroom-dance communities. They have two children.

Bob Byrd, Treasurer grew up near Gardendale and earned a BS in Chemical Engineering form the University of Alabama. He retired in 2016 after a 39 year career as a chemical engineer with Dow Chemical Company and moved to Tuscaloosa in 2017. He is a former recreational tennis player and current pickleball player. He and wife Katie have been married for 46 years, with a son and daughter and 4 grandchildren. Bob is treasurer of the Tuscaloosa Symphony Guild and a volunteer for Friends of the Library. Both Bob and Katie are active HIP volunteers.

Bev Thorn, Immediate Past President, is a retired UA professor of Psychology, where she spent the last 30 years of her career. Born in Springfield, Mass, she gradually migrated further south as her education and employment led her. Bev has one son, Alex, who is a Veterinarian employed by Mississippi State University. He and his partner, Mallory, have a daughter, Stella (2½) who is the apple of Bev’s eye. Bev enjoys walking/jogging, cycling, Pilates, strength training, reading, and painting (oil and water color).

Betty Thomas, Secretary, retired from the Social Security Administration after 36 years of service. She worked as a Claims Representative and was a Technical Representative at the time of her retirement. She is a graduate of Alabama State University. After retirement, she volunteered at West Alabama Area Agency on Aging for 2 years. She is active in her church, serving as the General Youth Director for over 20 years. Betty and her husband have 2 adult children and 3 grandchildren. Betty enjoys reading, cooking, gardening, and spending time with grandchildren.

Lyle Aitken and his wife Amy grew up in Southern Illinois and settled in Tuscaloosa 33 years ago with their daughters, Neely and Ashley. We grew up as a family in Tuscaloosa he says.

Lyle spent 26 years as personal financial advisor.

Lyle is big believer in the butterfly effect. Meaning everything you do matters; this is why it's so important to volunteer with Home In Place help to make a difference.

 Susan Benke, Founding President, retired from the Advancement Division of The University of Alabama and previously was a grant writer in Student Affairs. She learned about villages for aging in place around the time of her mother’s death in 2013. Wishing there had been such an option to enrich life for her mother, she began to share the vision of creating a Tuscaloosa village for aging in place with anyone who would listen. She is an active member of Grace Presbyterian Church and the PEO International Sisterhood and is committed to promoting science-based approaches to protecting our earth.

Nancy Campbell is a psychologist retired from the Graduate School of the University of Alabama, where she directed the McNair Scholars Program. Previously she was Clinical Director of UA's Brewer-Porch Children's Center. In addition to twenty years the University, she spent fifteen years at Birmingham-Southern College, where she advanced to Professor of Psychology and helped establish the College's counseling center.

Although Nancy specialized in child and adolescent psychology, she also studied geriatric psychology and served as caregiver to both her parents and in-laws. In retirement, along with caregiving, she has volunteered through her church, Forest Lake United Methodist and with Home in Place. A special love is hiking among wildflowers and other native plants of the Southeast.

After a 25-year partnership with an advertising/marketing firm, Gary Creek became a communications administrator and instructor at The University of Alabama. He retired in 2015 with goals of becoming good at his two favorite hobbies - golf and oil painting. It's not the first time Gary did not achieve his goals.

Gary has served in many volunteer roles. A notable one was as patient volunteer for Hospice of West Alabama, later serving two terms as President of the Board during which time Hospice raised $6 million and built its Inpatient Unit. Gary has served as an officer and volunteer in local organizations including The Arc of West Alabama, First Presbyterian Church, the YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, OLLI, Crimson Village, Counseling Ministry Professionals, Habitat of West Alabama, Eagles Wings and the American Advertising Federation.

Carolyn Dahl, Past President, is retired from the College of Continuing Studies, University of Alabama. During her working life, she was an active community leader through United Way, Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama and Focus 50+.  She is a graduate of University of Southern Mississippi and University of Georgia. Learning about the village idea, she knew it was something our community had the 'know how' and 'heart' to build. The best thing about a village is that it is run by members, for members. That means that Home In Place will be a dynamic and authentic network.

 Joel Dorroh was born and raised in Tuscaloosa County and has spent the majority of his life here. He attended Tuscaloosa County High School, University of Alabama (BS in Accounting, University of Alabama School of Law (JD) and New York University (LM. in Taxation). He started his law firm Dorroh & Mills, P.C.in 1996, practicing primarily in the areas of estate planning, probate and elder law. When not working, Joel enjoys hunting, fishing and generally spending time at his farm in Romulus, AL.

Madeleine Hill, Treasurer, has had a career developing innovative programs that enhance social services, education and the arts. With interests in community organizing and program development, and background in regional health planning, she has had a key role in starting Hospice of West Alabama, Habitat for Humanity, West Alabama AIDS Outreach (Five Horizons), Caring Days, Tuscaloosa’s One Place, Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Music Tuscaloosa. She is an active member of Grace Presbyterian Church, and a graduate of Huntingdon College and University of Alabama School of Social Work. Her avocation is teaching Tai Chi.

Sandy Hopkins is a Clinical Social Worker, retired from the DCH Employee Assistance Program. She holds degrees in social work from Alabama State University and University of Alabama. She has won several awards in her area of expertise. She and her husband pastor a church in Butler, AL.

She is an author, painter and public speaker and born and raised in Tuscaloosa.

Philip Malone and wife Connie have three children and 10 grandchildren. He grew up in rural north Alabama. He has a BS in Geology from the University of Alabama. After working for US Steel for 9 years he started GeoMet, a geologic consulting company which became a gas production company. He served as president for 15 years and then on the Board when it became public. Since retiring in 2012 he has been involved with OLLI as an avid learner, volunteer, instructor and officer. His interests are travel and photography.

Sharon Shelton retired from The University of Alabama where she taught in the School of Social Work and served as Assistant Dean. She is also a retiree of DCH as Director of Employee Assistance Program.

She has been involved in the Tuscaloosa community for many years. She was on the founding boards for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, OLLI, and The University of Alabama Retirees Association.

Sharon did graduate work at Florida State University and received her Master’s and Ph.D. from The University of Alabama. She enjoys spending time with her two children and two grandchildren. Her hobby in recent years is glass fusing and creating mosaics.

Becky Embrey, Executive Director, brings a diverse background and history of service to our community, making her uniquely qualified to lead Home In Place. A graduate of University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, Becky's qualifications include twenty three years operating her own medical billing service, plus experience in publishing, banking, management, publicity and event planning.

Becky is a member at Saint Mark United Methodist Church, where she serves as Administrative Board member, Women’s Ministry Team leader, UMW member and officer, and Stephen Ministry counselor. Becky is also active in the University of Alabama OLLI lifelong learning program, Community Bible study and Ballet Arts and Fitness. She enjoys travel and reading and her pets.

Vickie Pruitt, Administrative Assistant, brings 14+ years of experience in administrative roles to Home In Place, including 3 years of operating her own daycare center. She graduated Cum Laude from Shelton State Community College. She is currently a member of The Tuscaloosa City Schools (TCS) Task Force.

Vickie has 2 adult daughters and 2 grandchildren. She enjoys cooking, reading, watching her favorite shows, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Vickie has a genuine passion for helping others and is tremendous addition to the Home In Place family.