Candy Peszko Mitchell
Treasurer
Born in Bay City MI, Candy moved to Panama City Beach in 1989. For the next 10 years, Candy, who had earned a Nursing degree from Lake Superior State College, continued caring for development individuals.
A member of the Gulf Beach Garden Club for 20 years, she now serves as president. Candy also served on the Women’s Civic Club board of directors and worked with the Red Cross on its Disaster Response Team.
“I look forward to continuing serving on the Senior Center board, especially with all the new growth in the area and seniors looking for new classes and activities,” she said.
Margaret (Mugsy) Parens
President
Born in Saginaw, MI, Mugsy (as she is known) moved to Panama City Beach in the 1980s after selling the motel, restaurant and lounge she owned in Houghton Lake, MI. Before long, she joined the Women's Civic Club and became its president.
That was the first in a long line of her contributions to the community. She has served on the Gulf Beach Garden Club board of directors, and has volunteered with the Ironman event for 19 years, eventually becoming a captain. She has been active with the Council on Aging for several years and continues to help out, and was a manager with the Marina Civic Center for several years until Hurricane Michael destroyed it.
Mugsy has twice served as president of the Panama City Beach Senior Service Foundation. (Senior Center}, most recently two years ago. And she’s still going strong!! and returned to that office 2years ago. “I enjoy helping and hope to continue for several more years.”
Peter Fischetti
Board Member
Peter Fischetti, who joined the Board in 2021, is a native of Brooklyn NY. After 35 years in the Big Apple, he moved to Southern California, where he was a newspaper editor, publisher of a monthly magazine in Corona, and owner of an advertising agency.
In 2015, he and his wife, Melody, left California in their motor home and six months later arrived in Panama City Beach. Peter has continued writing articles and columns for local publications, and has become active in the community through the Rotary Club and the Senior Center.
"I heard about a woodworking class at the Senior Center," he said, "and before long I made a bowl that was actually pretty good. Then I joined a ukulele class and attended some functions. That's when I accepted an invitation to become a board member. It's a great organization, and I look forward to remaining a part of it for many years."
OFFICERS
STAFF
Joyce Goetz
Bookkeeper
Joyce Goetz, our bookkeeper, is an Ohio native and an Air Force veteran who retired 10 years ago from American Express, where she worked in its Technology Division.
Janet Roan
Vice President
Janet Roan, a Panama City Beach resident since 1997, is an agent with Century 21-Ryan Realty. She has been active in the community since moving here and served as president of the Women’s Civic Club of Panama City Beach, where she met “Mugsy” Parens, who is current president of the Senior Center.
“We have so many wonderful folks involved with making the Senior Center a great place to meet people,” she said. “(There are) many classes and activities such as, crafts, woodworking, stain glass, exercise and art, and let’s not forget the fun things like dances and craft sales. I plan to be involved in this fun place for a long time, so I can continue to make this a better community for all of us.”
Anna Miner
Board Member
Anna moved to Panama City Beach in 1998 after retiring from the military, where she was a helicipter pilot and Foreign Area Officer. She was also a counselor with the Department of Children and Families, investigating exploitation of seniors.
Anna participates in community events such as Meals on Wheels, poll worker, census worker, and the VFW.
"I felt I would be a good fit for the senior center since I am a senior!" she said. "It’s just me, myself and I here."
Cheryl Brown, our newest board member, is British-born and bred and has lived on our Emerald Coast for 43 years. She has worked in health care for the past 30 years, and is currently working with the Brain and Spine Center as its Marketing Director.
Cheryl started our Senior Center’s “Lunch and Learn” program 30 years ago when we had a very small building. We have been fortunate to continue educating all our seniors through the program.
Cheryl has always been committed and enjoyed working in the community and served on various charitable boards, and at present is on the board for Bay County Alzheimers Alliance.
Cheryl Brown
Board Member
Karen moved to Panama City Beach in 2013 after retiring from federal service with the Department of the Navy. She also served 10 years in the U.S. Navy as a Quartermaster. She has a Bachelor's degree in Management from the University of Maryland.
Karen is looking forward to contributing to future activity development and operation of the Senior Center.
Karen Gunsaullus
Gayle has spent much of her time working in the communities where she has lived. She served 10 years as Mayor of Panama City Beach and six years as a Council Woman for the City. She was involved in building a new library, senior center, City office buildings, fishing pier and Gayle’s trails.
She holds a MBA and has worked in administration and teaching in several colleges
Gayle Oberst
Board Member
