Staff
Kathleen J. Ernce Executive Director
Ms. Ernce has been a member of The Senior Citizens Council team for over forty years. Her love of this work, compassion, and knowledge has made her the perfect person to lead our organization. She began her work in aging in 1982 and joined The Senior Citizens Council in 1986 as the Advocacy Programs Director, and in 2007 was appointed as Executive Director. She provides counseling, education, and makes referrals to community resources on a variety of topics concerning seniors, including Medicare, options for successful caregiving, Elder Rights and Elder Prevention Fraud. She is a Certified Medicare counselor and a Nursing Home Administrator. She has a Gerontology Certification from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology from Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia.
Membership & Awards
Meet Our Team
William Sherrod Administrative Assistant Director ___________________________________________________________
Mr. Sherrod is a Retired Lieutenant from the Augusta Fire Department and has an Associate’s Degree in Music from Augusta State University.
He has worked at The Senior Citizens Council since 1985. He began serving as a transportation driver, Maintenance Supervisor, Housekeeping Director, and currently serves as Administrative Assistant Director and Maintenance Supervisor. He goes out of his way to ensure that his job is done right. He truly has a heart for the community.
wsherrod@seniorcitizenscouncil.org
Tiannah Thomas AmeriCorps Seniors Records Coordinator ___________________________________________________________
Ms. Thomas is graduate of Cross Creek High School. She a License Cosmetologist. She has a passion for growth, balancing a professional life with motherhood and entrepreneurship. A proud mother of a 1 year old daughter. She also is the owner of 2 furbabies.
In her spare time, she enjoys listening to music, organizing and cleaning spaces, and working in the beauty industry. Where she provides a variety of beauty services. She is passionate about helping others feel confident and assured of themselves.
Some fun facts about her: Her favorite color is Baby Blue, and her birthday is on Christmas Eve. She never turns down white chocolate, and she enjoys good food.
tthomas@seniorcitizenscouncil.org
Ms. Petersen has degrees in nursing and health care administration from Ashford University. She is a native of Iowa and been serving as The Senior Citizen Council's Project Director since December of 2025.
Her career path has included experience in hospital nursing including the intensive care unit, working for a pulmonologist in a multi-specialty clinic and being elected to their clinic cabinet for three years as well as elected as co-chairman and secretary of the clinic nurses.
The primary extent of her career has been in home health care administration serving as a case manager, certified clinical supervisor, and administrator. She was awarded a commendation from the Iowa Department of Inspection and Appeals for leading the state in deficiency-free surveys and was instrumental in driving an Illinois based agency from 1 to 4.5 STARS. Among some of Ms. Petersen accomplishments, she has served on the Iowa Alliance in Home Care Board of Directors, received a Presidential Customer Service Award, was in the top 10% of employee satisfaction scores, and was a featured speaker at the Iowa Knights of Columbus State Convention. She has written the Auxi/Girling Health Policy Manual for the seven states served and on their Corporate Quality Improvement Team.
When not working, she travels and has been to all 50 states and 4 continents, she reads 1-2 books a month and is actively involved with the Augusta Area Newcomers Club having served on their executive board of directors for 8 years.
susanpetersen@seniorcitizenscouncil.org