AARP names Jo Ann Jenkins as its CEO

By Frederick H. Lowe
Contributing Writer

(Special from The NorthStar News & Analysis) – AARP Inc.’s 22-member board of directors announced on Wednesday that it has selected Jo Ann Jenkins as its new CEO, succeeding A. Barry Rand.

The announcement was part of a leadership change at AARP, a Washington, D.C., non-profit advocacy group for people 50 and over.

Jenkins currently is executive vice president and chief operating officer of AARP. She has been COO since March 2013 after serving as president of the AARP Foundation.

JENKINS

Jenkins succeeds Rand, who has been AARP CEO for five years, joining in 2009.

Rand praised Jenkins for her work as chief operating officer. “As COO, Jo Ann has done a tremendous job of improving our organization’s performance,” Rand said. “She led the realignment of our internal operations, adopting an enterprise strategy that encourages greater creativity and ac­countability. Through her leadership, AARP has seen major im­prove­ments in operational efficiency, financial stewardship and excellence in execution.”

As AARP’s COO, Jenkins is credited with growing the organization’s donor base by 90 percent during the first two years she held that position.

Jenkins said, “I am grateful for the trust the AARP Board has given me to lead this amazing organization. I truly believe that for every member of our society, age and experience can expand your possibilities in life. I feel a great deal of responsibility for ensuring that AARP is here as a trusted ally for people 50+ and their families and that we protect the most-vulnerable among us.”

Prior to working for AARP, Jenkins served for 15 years as the chief operating officer of The Library of Congress.

This article originally published in the May 19, 2014 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.