Our Team

Care Managers

Bonnie Shimko, CSA

Bonnie, a Certified Senior Advisor, is known for her senior advocacy throughout this area. She has a heart for educating seniors and professionals on their options available for seniors as they navigate their journey of aging.  Bonnie is the co-founder and CEO of  Arizona Care Management Solutions, where she is now able to focus full time on elder care management. Bonnie’s professional experience includes establishing and managing non-medical in home care companies, an adult day center and the implementation of the Medical Home grant which provides care coordination for children with special needs in Northern Arizona. She was an Elder Care Advisor for 10 years with Jackson White Law Firm assisting people with their questions concerning VA benefits and ALTCS. Bonnie serves on the Regional Leadership Council for the Alzheimer’s Association, the Northern AZ Gerontology Association, and Rusty’s Morning Star Ranch for autistic men. Bonnie is a well-respected speaker on elder care management providing numerous free informational seminars to the community and a frequent presenter for the Desert Southwest Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Connect with Bonnie on LinkedIn

Maria Lodico

Maria is a graduate of California State University of Long Beach with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Psychology and Physical Therapy.  She worked 5 years at the University of California, Irvine ICU Burn Center in which she learned to react quickly and effectively.  Maria’s work experience in physical therapy includes orthopedics, sports medicine, and neurology centers.  Her training includes Feldenkrais Method, specific geriatric and neurological rehab training.  She taught high school biology in Southern California for 5 years and continues to take continuing education classes to assist with learning about today’s aging population, specifically dementia research.  She is characterized as one who is guided by compassion in her work.  She is a devoted wife and mother of 5 children.  As a pastor’s wife, she has been involved in children’s and women’s ministry for over 20 years.  Her passions include cooking, spending time with her family and hiking.  She is currently pursuing a 5 year goal of hiking the Arizona Trail.

Laura Bambusch

Laura has worked in the field of social services for 15 years as a case manager, counselor, and care coordinator. She has served diverse populations including the developmentally disabled, the mentally ill, and seniors in need. She is proud of the vocational outreach programs that she launched at the Yavapai County Jail and the “Woman’s World” substance abuse recovery program. Laura has been able to assist seniors in establishing safe and healthy lives through her work at the NACOG Area Agency on Aging and the Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition. She graduated from California State University with a bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies. Laura enjoys spending quiet afternoons with her dog and a good book.

Sally Ohanesian

Sally has spent her 30+ year career supporting others in a variety of healthcare settings. She began her career as a labor and delivery nurse, sparking her passion for guiding those in need. Over the years, she has worked tirelessly as a healthcare volunteer—school nurse, hospice volunteer, and supporting the Prevent Child Abuse organization in Northern Arizona. Sally recently earned her EMT license, and is currently a Grand Canyon Preventative Search and Rescue volunteer, primarily on the South Rim. Sally and her husband enjoy hiking and wilderness training. She has three children, and is expecting her first grandchild in October. Sally has a deep passion for helping people navigate through all phases of aging and advocating for them in the health care field.

Marie O’Neill

Marie was raised and educated in the Pacific Northwest, once she graduated from WOSC she was off to California sunshine and exciting new opportunities.

Marie pursued a rewarding high paced career in human resources in southern California.  After 5 years,  returning to the Pacific Northwest was the perfect place for raising a family.

Once the children had graduated, Marie returned to the work force in elementary education and finished her career as middle school behavior interventionist.  When Marie retired from 15 years of service in the public schools system in Special Education she took the opportunity to move to Arizona.  When not serving clients, Marie can be found riding the canyons of Sedona on her horse!

Stephanie Hillsman

Stephanie has worked in healthcare most of her adult life. She was the administrator of a physical therapy clinic for nine years, while working on her post secondary-education, before focusing on her family and choosing to be a domestic engineer for the next seven years. She than began her trek back into the healthcare field by opening a senior living group home in Cottonwood. Two years later she started a senior services and senior placement specialty business in Phoenix, both of which she continues to own and operate. Stephanie has worked with seniors and their families for the past seven years and loves every second of it.

Chastity Bravo

Chastity has a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Wesley College in Delaware. Her passion in life is to serve others and to share Jesus through ministry work. Leading a homeless outreach in Mesa, AZ was one of the most rewarding experiences for her. She has a diverse experience in nursing, home-healthcare, management, clinical research and providing care coordinating services in an assisted living facility.

Chastity’s great people skills comes from her medical background and ministry work.

She is an outdoor adventurer who loves hiking, camping, fishing and kayaking. As a newly-wed, Chastity and her husband are enjoying their marriage and building their dream ranch together.

Administrative Team

Bob Shimko CFO / COO

Bob has spent over 30 years in a variety of management and leadership roles in both the retail and financial industries.  Bob is the co-founder and CFO / COO of  Arizona Care Management Solutions where he focuses on providing and leading an excellent team approach to elder care management in Northern Arizona. Bob’s professional experience allows him to provide guidance to those families with many of the financial decisions they face through the aging process. His primary focus is assisting clients with identifying and understanding the resources and benefits that may be available to help them.  Bob is currently the President of the Rusty’s Morningstar Ranch Board of Directors, and Member of the Board of Manzanita Outreach / Kids Against Hunger in the Verde Valley.

Connect with Bob on LinkedIn

Kristin Rice

Kristin fills the role of Office Manager and is the friendly voice that answers the phones at AZCMS. Kristin works as a liaison between our clients and care management team. She handles scheduling, client relations, and service coordination.  Kristin assures that our all the needs of our clients are being met and facilitates our constant communication with family members.  She has a Bachelor of Science from Liberty University and has over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector. A devoted wife and mother of four, Kristin has a genuine love of family and a sincere desire to see all generations thrive in a healthy and happy environment.

Karla Ayers

Karla has a Bachelor of Science from Grand Canyon College (before it became a University!). She has been an administrative assistant in a church office for over 12 years and has served in many clerical positions in the past 36 years. She enjoys getting to know people and making new friends. She and her husband, Jim, have lived in the Verde Valley for 26 years. They raised their son and daughter here and now enjoying visits from their seven grandchildren, ages 8 years to 1 month old. They also enjoy getting out and walking in the area; you might bump in to them if you visit Dead Horse Ranch State Park.  Karla supervises our new office location in Cottonwood.

Care Manager Assistants

Marianne Justus

Marianne is a Care Manager Assistant.  Marianne earned her BS in Education from Northern Arizona University.  She taught in a local private school for many years and loved working with the children.  Marianne transitioned that same caring and compassion to her work with seniors by providing assistance with their personal care needs.  She and her husband have lived in the Verde Valley for over 25 years.  They have 2 adult children that live locally.  They enjoy camping, boating, and trail riding.

Cecelia Agundez

Cecelia, originally from California, moved to Arizona in 2013 with her husband to put down roots and grow their family here.  She was a full time nanny for four years while raising their own 3 boys and has transitioned that care and nurturing spirit into a position of Care Manager Assistant for seniors.  She has begun her training to become a full-time care manager in the future.  Cecelia enjoys playing the piano and singing and is always happy for a day at the range or a weekend out camping with family.

Laurie Shultz

Laurie has worked in the medical field for over 17 years.  For the last 15 years she acted as the office manager for a successful local  gastroenterologist.  This is where she developed her love & compassion for people, especially seniors. She truly enjoys helping identify the issues and then meeting those needs for our seniors.

Laurie and her husband Bob enjoy serving in their local church.  They also enjoy opening up their home for Bible studies, friendly get-togethers,  & any excuse for a card party!