Beaches Council on Aging names Latham president emeritus

Posted

The Beaches Council on Aging recently recognized Kathryn Latham’s leadership, naming her president emeritus.

In 2014, Latham attended a fundraiser to keep Dial-A-Ride, a Beaches Council on Aging program, operating. Dial-A-Ride was struggling to survive at the time and the board of directors’ leadership couldn’t provide the level of energy needed to keep the service afloat.

Recognizing the service’s importance, Latham soon joined the nonprofit’s board.

Two years later, she became board president and helped engineer Dial-A-Ride’s turnaround into a financially secure service that provides safe and reliable transportation for the senior and disabled citizens of the Beaches communities.

There were multiple accomplishments during her tenure as president (2016-2020). Two vehicles were acquired, the organization’s first executive director was hired, the Beaches first senior expo (Engage At Any Age) was launched, the service expanded into Ponte Vedra Beach and Mayport and resources were secured for the acquisition of two additional new vehicles.

“When I joined Beaches Council on Aging, I was impressed by Kathryn’s knowledge of the Beaches community and her enthusiasm for her role on the BCOA Board,” said Vicki Wyckoff, Beaches Council on Aging president. “I have learned so much from her and am very grateful to keep her active with BCOA via per position as president emeritus.”

“Everything we accomplished during my tenure as president, I attribute to God and the citizens of our beach communities,” Latham said. “It’s very humbling to be a part of such a compassionate and giving community.”

When asked what her greatest accomplishment was, she said, “There are many noteworthy, quantitative items I could list but I think the single biggest accomplishment is our impact on the senior community. Providing safe, reliable transportation can ease a huge burden, but I also think knowing you have an army of people ready and waiting to help provides a great deal of comfort and security. The Beaches Council on Aging and Dial-A-Ride have been there for the large events, such as hurricane evacuations and grocery delivery during the pandemic, and we’ve been there for what would appear to be something small, like taking a brother to see his sister every week.”

Latham, a native of Lake City, earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Florida. She moved to Jacksonville Beach with her husband Charlie in 2010. She currently works for American Family Insurance Group as a commercial lines product analyst.

For further information or to make a donation to support the service, go to beachescoa.com or call 904-246-1477.