By STEVE EIGHINGER

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

Janet Veach will be helping spread the same message but wearing a different hat.

Veach is the new public relations director of the Central Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. Her appointment follows more than five years as branch manager of the Quincy-area chapter.

"I want to try and bring a consistency to the communication at the three sites and 20 counties within the Central Illinois chapter," Veach said. "I think that's been lacking. I think it's important we are all talking about the same thing at the same time."

The Quincy resident said the opportunity to move into the new position appealed to her because of her background in journalism and communications. She will continue to be based in Quincy, on the second floor of the Quincy Senior and Family Resource Center, 639 York. The Quincy Area Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association is on the same floor.

Veach will also spend time at Central Illinois chapters in Peoria and Dixon.

Replacing Veach as branch manager in Quincy is Dean Akerson, a Palmyra, Mo., resident who recently finished his master's degree in business administration at William Woods College in Fulton, Mo.

Akerson, 40, has a background in sales and public relations. He has worked locally in sales and public relations for several companies, including Consolidated Freightways Trucking and Lamar Advertising.

Akerson also worked as an independent insurance agent and coordinated the business end of his wife's chiropractic business.

"It will be nice to be able to sit down with Janet, talk about things in the early going," said Akerson, whose office is just down the hall from Veach's.

Akerson said his top priority will be keeping the Alzheimer's Association mission in front of the public and corporate backers, the two entities whose donations keep the chapter strong.

"A lot of people still don't realize all of the services we have available for caregivers and the families who have loved ones with Alzheimer's," he said.

Also new to the Quincy office is Amy McVey, who will serve as branch assistant.

The Quincy-area branch services Adams, Hancock, Pike, Brown and Schuyler counties. There are 3,400 people living in those counties who have Alzheimer's.

For more information about Alzheimer's disease or what local services are available for caregivers, call the Quincy-area branch at (217) 228-1111.

-- seighinger@whig.com/221-3377