Our speakers will be:
Kristen Ditman Zihmer with Windchimes LLC
Kristen (Ditman) Zihmer, Owner and Founder of Windchimes LLC, is passionate about working alongside seniors and their families to help navigate their next steps. Her compassion and kind heart, coupled with all-encompassing knowledge of the Senior Healthcare/Retirement Industry, solidifies Kristen as a trusted resource for older adults in the greater community.
Kristen holds a bachelor’s degree from Salisbury University. She is a nationally recognized Certified Senior Advisor and holds a Senior Living Counselor Certificate (as designated by Argentum—the leading national trade association serving senior living communities in the United States). To further widen her scope of expertise within the advancing field, Kristen is currently enrolled in the Aging Studies Program at Johns Hopkins University.
Apart from college, Kristen has lived her entire life in Carroll County and currently lives in Westminster with her husband and two beautiful children.
Gary McCammon with Spike Consulting College Planning
Gary is the Founder & Co-Director of Spike Consulting College Planning. He began his college planning career in January of 2004 and has owned his own company, Spike Consulting College Planning, since November 2011. He has assisted dozens of students and families navigate the college selection process in the most cost effective manner. He has saved families thousands of dollars in the process. From earning college credit in 8th grade to finding an internship after junior year of college, Gary and his staff guide you through the entire process.
In a given week, Gary helps a student edit his college entrance essay, a second one do the Common App, helps another narrow her choices from 50 to 8 schools, and helps another select 3 candidates to approach for letters of recommendation. The staff at Spike Consulting also walks families through FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Spike has a network of financial advisors at his disposal to strategically lower the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).