Mike Tomasko Appointed AARP North Dakota State President

Mike Tomasko of West Fargo has been named the new state president of AARP in North Dakota. Tomasko has served on the AARP North Dakota Executive Council since June 2012.

The volunteer state president chairs the state executive council and works in partnership with the state director to provide vision and leadership for AARP’s work in the state. The state president is also responsible for helping to build partnerships with other organizations and serves as the principal AARP volunteer spokesperson in the state.

“It is an honor for me to serve as the volunteer president of AARP in North Dakota and to work with such a talented staff and cadre of volunteers on the mission set forth by AARP’s founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus,” Tomasko said. “During my term I will be guided by her charge that we are here to serve, not to be served, and that what we do, we do for all.”

In 2013, Tomasko was one of just 24 AARP volunteers nationwide chosen to participate in AARP’s inaugural Volunteer Leadership Institute, an intensive 13-month program designed to elevate highly skilled and motivated AARP volunteers to the next level of volunteer leadership.

Tomasko, 70, retired at the end of 2007. Following a stint in the service and a handful of years in the communications industry, he began a 35-year career in health care administration in North Dakota. Thirty of those years were spent in Bismarck where he last served as CEO of Mid Dakota Clinic and an administrator of the PrimeCare health group.

Active in community service, Tomasko served as president of the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Bismarck Folkfest celebration and is a recipient of the North Dakota Chamber of Commerce community service award.

Janis Cheney, AARP North Dakota senior state director, said, “AARP is a volunteer-driven organization and the state president is a key volunteer leadership position within the state. Mike brings a wealth of experience to this leadership role. His background is well-suited for our advocacy work at the state and federal level and to enhance our volunteer engagement in North Dakota.”

The state president serves a two-year term and can be reappointed for two additional terms.

Other Executive Council members are Susan Wefald, Bismarck; David Braaten, Grand Forks; and Sharon Johnson, Minot.

AARP has nearly 85,000 members in North Dakota.