The NCCNA Board
Bev Anderson, President
Bev Anderson received a Diploma in Bible and Theology from Central Bible College (Springfield, Missouri), a Bachelor of Arts and Masters degrees in Education from California State University at Fresno, and completed course work for a Ph.D. in the history of the philosophies and psychologies of education at the University of California at Berkeley. She taught for 34 years in public elementary schools in Selma and Concord, California. Bev was married to Herbert “Andy” Anderson who was much her senior and who died of heart failure in 1986. Currently, she is the step-great-great grandmother of five.
Although her neuropathy is hereditary and she says she could have been diagnosed by age six, she was not actually diagnosed until 1994, after she retired and moved to Colfax, California. She and Grant Whitney held the first meeting of what became the Auburn Evening Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group in November 1998. Other groups have formed from or as a result of this to the point where today, there are 33 support groups throughout Northern California. Most of these were started with Bev’s assistance.
Laura Niznik, Director
Laura is the Director of Communications and Member Services for the California Elected Women’s Association (CEWAER). She has an extensive background in nonprofit association management, public relations, marketing and magazine publishing. Laura served as editor in chief for Practical Pain Management magazine and editorial director for six other healthcare related magazines.
Laura volunteers her time as Vice Chair on the Antelope Community Advisory Planning Council, a position appointed by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. In addition, she serves on the board for Linkage to Education and as a volunteer photographer for The Sacramento Heart Gallery.
Laura does not have neuropathy herself. She came to the NCCNA due to her interest in bringing her skills to a volunteer position for a health organization.
Penni L. Smith, Secretary
Penni works as a software developer and database administrator for a prominent company in the building controls industry. She just happened to get into computers, however, as she received a Bachelor of Arts degree with an English major from the University of La Verne, California. She lives in Foresthill, California, with a family of three dogs and two cats, all rescued. Previous residents have included rabbits, snakes, rats, and a potbelly pig. Penni is an avid reader who also enjoys photography, computer games, and all manner of toys.
Penni developed neuropathy symptoms in 1997. Although she had heard about the NCCNA, she never pursued contact. She met Bev Anderson at church and Bev mentioned in passing an NCCNA event she was attending. Penni responded, "We have to talk." Penni was soon recruited for the board.
Sandra Vinson, Director
Sandra earned a degree in Business Administration and worked for 30 years in California state civil service. Her last position prior to her retirement in 2001 was as Deputy Director of Programs, Community Services and Development. Sandra and her husband Don have a daughter, Shannon. Sandra finds great joy in cooking, family, gardening, helping others and reading. She practices Yoga on a daily basis and has found it provides significant neuropathic pain relief.
Sandra was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy 7 years ago. She was told the cause is idiopathic. Sandra is on the West Sacramento group leadership team and has served on the board several years.
Conley R. (Dick) Ward, Treasurer
Dick received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Louisville. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Science degree in Physical Oceanography from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
Dick’s work experience included 28 years in the United States Navy, culminating as Commander of the Naval Weather Service and Assistant Oceanographer of the Navy. Following his Navy career he joined Global Weather Dynamics, Inc. where as Vice President of the Monterey Office he managed the modernization of the Saudi Arabian National Meteorological Center in Jeddah and installation of computer systems in over 20 different aviation weather centers around the world. Retiring from Global Weather Dynamics in 1997, Dick and two colleagues formed a small consulting group dedicated to the provision of technical and management assistance to small start-up companies.
Dick and Mary Lou Kennedy were married in Louisville, Kentucky in 1951. They have four children, ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Although Dick and Mary Lou are originally from the Midwest, they have resided much of their adult life in California and retired to Roseville in 1999. Mary Lou was diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy more than ten years ago. She is leader of the Roseville PN support group and nominated her care giver, Dick, as a candidate for the NCCNA Board of Directors.