Alzheimer's Orange County Welcomes Seasoned Nonprofit Executives to Leadership Team

    IRVINE, CA, May 06, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Alzheimer's Orange County (AOC), a nonprofit organization that has been on the forefront of local Alzheimer's care, support, education and research for more than 30 years, announces the addition of two senior leaders to its executive team: Mark Odom, vice president of programs and education and Dennis Chamberland, vice president of development. Odom and Chamberland join a team dedicated to supporting the organization and its total focus on the Orange County Alzheimer's and dementia community.

"Our goal to enhance local care and support for those suffering from Alzheimer's disease can only be achieved with guidance from a strong and experienced staff," said Jim McAleer, AOC President/CEO. "Mark and Dennis are no strangers to Alzheimer's Orange County, and their expertise and commitment will boost our local efforts and 30-year history of serving families right here in Orange County."

Odom and Chamberland both own expansive health and nonprofit backgrounds which they will leverage in their new positions at AOC.

• Odom has more than 30 years of experience spanning the aging and mental health fields where he held clinician, clinical supervisor and program director roles. Prior to accepting the role of vice president of programs and education, Odom was a former AOC care consultant supporting families affected by Alzheimer's disease, managing AOC's Patient Referral Program and facilitating support groups and workshops for family members. In his new position, he will oversee the administration and operations of the nonprofit's education and programs department and collaborate with community service agencies to ensure a full range of services and resources are available for families affected by Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. The Newport Beach resident received a master's degree in social work from San Diego State University and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Azusa Pacific University.

• Chamberland brings more than 20 years of nonprofit experience to AOC and has held key roles in fundraising administration, donor development and nonprofit infrastructure creation. Through his previous work at American Heart Association and March of Dimes, Chamberland helped raise millions of dollars, and continually advocates for community support of mission-driven work. At AOC, he will enhance life-changing research, programs, advocacy and support services for individuals suffering from memory loss, along with their caregivers and families. A resident of Laguna Niguel, Chamberland earned a master's degree in nonprofit leadership from New England College and a bachelor's degree in political science from University of San Diego.

Odom and Chamberland join a devoted team of individuals who carry out a host of direct programs and services for families affected by Alzheimer's every day, along with annual fundraising initiatives, including the 'Creating Hope' Gala, which recently raised nearly $400,000 and was the most successful gala to-date. Future AOC events include a Visionary Women Caregivers Luncheon on May 20 and Alzheimer's walks (Walk4ALZ) on Oct. 22 in Laguna Niguel, Nov. 5 in Huntington Beach, and Nov. 12 in Anaheim.

In Dec. 2015, the nonprofit announced it would become independent, following a split from the national Alzheimer's Association. Now self-governing, 100 percent of funds raised by the organization stay in Orange County to ensure no-cost programs and services are available for families affected by Alzheimer's, as well as to accelerate local research to find treatments and prevention. For more information, visit http://www.alzoc.org.

About Alzheimer's Orange County
Alzheimer's Orange County provides programs and services, free of charge, to Orange County residents with Alzheimer's and related dementia disorders, their families, caregivers, and the community. Alzheimer's Orange County began as an independent 501c3 nonprofit in 1982, became a chapter of the national Alzheimer's Association in 1984, and in December 2015, became an independent nonprofit again with all fundraising going toward care, support and research in Orange County, Calif. Alzheimer's is a devastating neurodegenerative illness that weakens the memory and other cognitive and emotional functions. For more information, call the Helpline at 1-844-373-4400, or visit http://www.alzoc.org Find Alzheimer's Orange County on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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