AARP Alabama's volunteers shine

The past year has been a very busy and successful one for AARP Alabama's volunteer leaders. Beginning with the inaugural class of AARP's Volunteer Leadership Institute that started in 2013, Alabama has been well-represented. The VLI  was started by AARP as an investment in volunteer leaders across the country, providing them with training and skills that enable them to expand their leadership roles in AARP's national volunteer network. Each of these accomplished individuals was nominated by AARP Alabama's state office, and they graciously agreed to take time from their busy schedules to participate enthusiastically in the VLI training. We would like to recognize and thank these volunteer leaders here.

Nena Bright Moorer

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Nena has a full-time career as a technology educator in the Jefferson County School System in Birmingham. She took time out of her busy schedule to participate in the VLI class which completed in February, 2015. Since receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and her Master's degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Nena has had a long and successful career in both the business and education arenas. Additionally, she has served numerous community organizations, including the Junior League, The Links, Inc., the YWCA, and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, among others. Nena's commitment to volunteerism made her a natural nominee to attend the VLI training. Nena will now be part of our volunteer leadership team in Alabama, serving AARP.

Sherry Kolodziejczak

Sherry currently serves on AARP Alabama's Executive Council, taking the leadership role in managing our Driver Safety program. Through that role, she recruits and supervises volunteers around the state, who provide these valuable safety training classes in our communities. Sherry was the second EC member from Alabama to be nominated for the VLI training, completing it in late 2014. When she is not volunteering with AARP, Sherry is director of therapy services at Crestwood Therapy Services and Sports Care in Huntsville. She received her undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan University and her Master's degree in occupational therapy from Boston University.

Dr. Johnny McAlpine

Johnny was a member of the inaugural class of the VLI, which graduated in January, 2014. Since completing his VLI training, Johnny has been a member of AARP's Chapter Alliance team. As part of that team, he serves as co-regional director of eight states in AARP's South Central Region, which includes Alabama. This volunteer work takes him to AARP chapters throughout Alabama and those seven other states, assisting them in achieving growth and relevance in their communities. Johnny is the retired president of Snead State Community College, and a past president of AARP Chapter #1023 in Huntsville.