max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
With over three decades working in a senior center, Karen Testa has been appointed as the new Council on Aging director for North Attleborough, the town announced today.
Testa was confirmed at the Town COuncil’s meeting on April 22 and will begin in the new role on May 6. Pam Hunt previously served in this role for 20 years, and retired on March 13.
“Karen comes highly recommended and has extensive experience at the director level in a senior center setting,” Town Manager Michael Borg said in a statement. “She has worked to further professionalize and enhance performances and services at prior senior centers to meet the needs of their community members, and we greatly look forward to bringing that same work ethic with her to North Attleborough.”
According to the announcement, Testa has over 34 years’ experience working in a senior center setting, 24 of which have been in a director-level position. Prior to working in North Attleborough, she was the COA director for Blackstone and oversaw its daily operations and worked to expand programming for seniors.
“Through her work, participation at the Senior Center increased by over 300%, and the membership of the Council on Aging Friends Group increased as well,” the announcement read.
Testa also worked at the Salvatore Mancini Resource & Activity Center in Providence, Rhode Island as the assistant director from 1986 to 1998, during which she expanded health and wellness programs and increased partnerships with local businesses and colleges. She became the executive director in 1998 and served in this position until 2018.
Testa serves as a member of the National Council on Aging and was a past delegate council member at the National Institute of Senior Centers.
