AARP Oregon Announces New Executive Council Members

Portland area leaders accept volunteer appointments on state-wide advisory council

CLACKAMAS—AARP Oregon is pleased to announce the appointment of four new members to its volunteer Executive Council, which advises the state program on strategic planning of policy and issues pertinent to Oregonians. Elaine Friesen-Strang and Tom Kelley, both Portland residents, as well as Dr. Daniel Rodriguez of Clackamas and Edward Brewington of Lake Oswego join the ranks of a select group of AARP members on the Executive Council. Each member selected has shown outstanding leadership, record of service, and a commitment to the goals of the Association.

Friesen-Strang, Kelley, Rodriguez, and Brewington will serve a two-year term on the Executive Council, which comprises 8 AARP members from around Oregon. Executive Council members influence policy planning for AARP in Oregon.

“Ethel Percy Andrus, AARP's founder coined our motto: ‘To serve, not to be served,’  AARP is blessed to have leaders among our membership volunteer to serve as Ethel's Army of Engaged Citizens, dedicated to making our nation, state and communities a better place to live,” said Jerry Cohen, AARP Oregon state director.

Elaine Friesen-Strang has served as the Director of “The Arc,” Oregon’s State Guardianship Program for 20 years. In addition, she has served on the Multnomah County Elders in Action Commission and volunteers for Project Linkage, a program for metropolitan family services. Prior to her involvement with AARP, she worked in the intellectual and developmental disabilities field for 35 years, primarily in advocacy positions. A resident of Northeast Portland, she comes to the Executive Council having served on committees and boards concerning mental health, end of life planning, sexual assault prevention, residential planning, guardianship, and pedestrian issues.

Tom Kelley is a Senior Consultant for Business Psychology Associates, a nationwide provider of Employee Assistance Programs and services. He has spent over 40 years in Human Resources Management. He was previously a board member at Self Enhancement Inc., a partnership between industry and Portland Public Schools to develop a Center for at risk kids. He has also been a board member for the Urban League of Portland and Institute of Financial Education.  In addition, he served as the National Board Chair for the Society of Human Resource Management, a group of over 44,000 professionals.

Dr. Daniel Rodriguez is currently a member of the inaugural AARP Volunteer Leadership Institute while also serving on the Oregon State University Board of Visitors. He is the outgoing Chair for the AARP Oregon Diversity Advisory Council. Dr. Rodriguez brings a unique blend of public and private experience to the AARP Executive Council. Trained as an educator, he served as a superintendent of schools for 12 years. He earned his doctorate from Columbia University where he also served as an associate professor. He is a past recipient of the Red Cross Community Service Award. He has also previously served on the Board of Directors for the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber in Portland, and as the Administrator for the State of Oregon Advocacy Commission.

Edward Brewington is a faculty member at the Oregon campus for University of Phoenix. In recognition of his hard work, Brewington has received numerous awards including Faculty of the Year award from University of Phoenix. He comes to the Executive Council having worked in a variety of industries including business and education. He worked with IBM for 25 years, where he garnered experience in sales, marketing, and human resources management. Outside of his background in business and teaching, he has worked with non-profit organizations throughout the country, serving on boards and advisory councils from New York to Oregon.

"We are thrilled to have this outstanding group of AARP members join the Executive Council. Their experience, expertise and commitment will add significant value to the organization and the people we serve," said Chad Cheriel, AARP Oregon state president.

For more information about AARP and the Executive Council, visit www.aarp.org/states/or.

 

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with nearly 35 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.