Council on Aging (COA) is overseen by a board of trustees and assisted by an advisory council. The board establishes rules for COA’s operation and directs the organization’s affairs in keeping with Council on Aging’s mission to enhance lives by assisting people to remain independent through a range of quality services. Advisory council members represent the needs of older adults across COA’s service area and give voice to older consumers of services, people with disabilities and others involved in the field of aging. Board and advisory council members live and work in COA’s five-county service area and bring a wealth of professional and personal experience to COA and its leadership team. Click here to learn more about joining a COA board or advisory council.
Matthew Durban has served on Council on Aging’s Board of Trustees for nearly two years. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the construction industry and currently serves as Estimating Principal at Messer Construction Company. Representing Hamilton County, Durban serves on several of the board’s committees, including the finance and compliance, community and government relations, and governance/nominating committees. Durban earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management from The Ohio State University. In addition to serving on COA’s Board of Trustees, Durban is a Junior Achievement teacher, a community advisory group member for Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati, and an active member of St. Dominic’s Parish.
What interested you in serving on Council on Aging’s Board of Trustees?
At the neighborhood level, I have always been very involved with my parish and children’s school, from the Men’s Society to coaching and coordinating parish sports teams. I wanted to volunteer with a group that had a broader reach beyond my neighborhood, so when a colleague of mine was transitioning off of the board, I was eager to take the opportunity to fill her spot.
Looking ahead, what do you see as the biggest challenge(s) facing Council on Aging and older adults in our community?
I think the biggest challenge we are going to face is maintaining and growing the workforce to meet the need of the growing aging population. Much of the challenge revolves around limited funding and wages for the providers.
What excites you most about COA’s future and how do you see yourself contributing to it?
I am excited to see the growth and technological improvements that are happening every day. The AddnAide program, the expansion of the PACE program, the purchase of CareDirector, etc., are all amazing ideas that will help COA meet the needs in the community. If COA can continue to drive innovation and efficiency in aging services, it will enable us to better focus on the real work of caring for aging adults.
Thinking about your time on COA’s board, what COA moment are you most proud of?
The best moment for me was when we approved the purchase of CareDirector. This unique care management platform has a very high ceiling and can help COA be a leading Area Agency on Aging in our state.
Which COA value speaks most to you and why?
Compassion resonates with me the most with integrity being a close second. Not everyone has the means or resources to live comfortably in their home as they age. By bridging that gap and showing compassion, we help folks of modest means stay in their homes where they are most comfortable.
What’s the most important lesson you learned from an older adult in your life?
My grandmother was a middle school counselor, so she was a wealth of knowledge from her experiences. The most important thing she taught me was people are people. We may come from different backgrounds and have different life experiences, but we should always help in any way that we can.
Tell us about one of your role models or someone/thing that inspires you.
I am inspired by the good work that organizations like Council on Aging perform in our community. It seems like you only really ever hear of the bad things that happen, so it is refreshing to be a part of something that renews your faith in humanity.