Editorial Contributors

Cody-120 Andy Asher – Publisher: Andy has assisted seniors for 15 years, first as a Financial Advisor focusing on saving, investing and retirement solutions. Later specializing in Medicare and helping people understand and select plans best suited to their needs. Andy transitioned into senior lifestyle issues after a lengthy career in broadcast journalism, where he did just about everything. Andy believes his passion for BloomerBoomer came from his dad, who was a physician and later in his career specialized in gerontology. Andy has a B.A. from Cal-State University, Chico and an M.A. from Ohio University. Outside of his activities with BloomerBoomer, Andy and his partner Mimi love to cook, the outdoors and spending time with children and grandchildren.
Cody-120 Kimberly McCrone Wickert – Eldercare Editor: Kimberly holds a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Wright State University and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor who has worked with individuals in the field of rehabilitation for more than 20 years. Kimberly is co-author of The Sandwich Generation’s Guide to Eldercare: Concrete Advice to Simultaneously Care for Your Kids and Your Parents (Demos Health, October 2013.) She has experience volunteering and working in long term care facilities and, along with her husband, is the primary caregiver of her mother-in-law. Kimberly has also worked as an adjunct professor at Kent State University in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program.
Cody-120 Cody Sipe, Phd – Fitness Editor: Cody completed his master’s degree in exercise science at Virginia Tech where he specialized in cardiac rehabilitation. His doctoral studies began at the University of Virginia and finished at Purdue University where he earned a PhD in exercise science. During his time at Purdue he also served as Director of the renowned A.H. Ismail Center for Health, Exercise and Nutrition. He is currently Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Research in the physical therapy program at Harding University. Dr. Sipe’s research interests include the effects of exercise on functional capacity in older subjects with a special emphasis on power training. His current project, in collaboration with the Reynolds Institute on Aging at the University of Arkansas Medical School, is investigating the relationship between body composition and functional ability in older patients with congestive heart failure.
Cody-120 Mark Hoffmann – Travel Editor: Mark is President and Founder of Sports Leisure Vacations, founded in 1979. He served as President of the National Tour Association in 2000, the country’s most prestigious tour operator association. His mission is to be a strong and vocal advocate for all aspects of the tourism industry. Mark holds the designation of Certified Tour Professional as given by NTA, along with a host of other honors and awards. In 2013, Mark became the first two-time volunteer leader of NTA. Now called Chairman and CEO, Mark is eager to again infuse the association and industry with his passion and experience. An avid traveler, Mark’s favorite destinations are New York City, the length of Route 66 and the Main Street of America.
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Greg Ptacek – Boomer Film Editor : Greg has been part of public and media relations campaigns for most of Hollywood studios and distributors including Disney, Fox, MGM, with more than 75 projects including “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3,” “City Slickers,” “The Player,” “Bullets Over Broadway,” “Like Water for Chocolate,” “The Crow,” “Red-White-Blue,” “Dazed and Confused” and the anniversary release of “The Graduate.” He is an award-winning, nonfiction book author, and his articles are published worldwide. He holds a B.A. degree from Tulane University and a M.A. from University of Southern California. Greg writes film reviews for the international lifestyle and entertainment website Monsters & Critics and he is developing a feature documentary about the life of Ann Dunham, the mother of President Barack Obama.