AARP Appoints John Wilson as Connecticut State President

AARP Connecticut – the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization in the state with nearly 600,000 members – announces the appointment of Stratford resident John Wilson as its new Volunteer State President.

Wilson, a volunteer with AARP Connecticut since 2021, brings more than 50 years of professional and volunteer experience to the organization, including over 25 years with engineering and consulting companies and 20 years in information technology training.

AARP Connecticut State Director Nora Duncan said, “John has provided innovative perspectives and ideas to all of his contributions at AARP. His passion and dedication to making a difference in the state, combined with an inquisitive drive to learn and grow, will be benefit to our entire team, members, and residents across the state.”

The Volunteer State President serves as a local ambassador and statewide spokesperson to communicate AARP policies and messages. As Chair of AARP Connecticut’s volunteer Executive Council, the State President leads a corps of dedicated volunteers from around the state. In addition, the State President partners with the State Director, and collaborates with volunteers and staff, to develop the framework for state strategic planning and coordination of AARP activities; provide vision and leadership to AARP activities; and build networks and community partnerships with organizations across the state. The State President may also represent AARP on various taskforces and commissions related to issues affecting residents aged 50 and over.

“Volunteers are essential, and volunteers who are passionate and dedicated are vital, in our work and ability to help people” added Wilson. “Building and growing the participation and engagement of our volunteer team is an important function of the State President and a priority for me.”

Prior to being named State President, Wilson served on AARP Connecticut’s Executive Council. As an AARP volunteer, Wilson has provided valuable contributions on advocacy initiatives, community engagement programs such as the AARP Fraud Watch Network, and been a participant and facilitator of trainings, presentations, and outreach.

During his 25-year tenure with engineering and consulting companies, Wilson developed and managed a variety of employee teams committed to delivering projects within a defined scope, schedule, and budget. He served as a senior program manager responsible for air quality services teams, project manager for domestic and international projects and an expert witness for regulatory hearings.

Wilson spent the next 20 years of his career transferring the skills and knowledge he acquired to students in virtual and in-person classroom settings. In this role, he taught classes in software applications, project management, and business competences such as Time Management, Interpersonal Communications, Business Writing, Effective Presentations, Developing Yourself as a Leader, and Diversity Training.

In addition to his volunteer work with AARP, Wilson has served in various capacities with multiple organizations including the American Meteorological Society, National Council of Industrial Meteorologists, and Air & Waste Management Association. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelors of Science and holds an MBA from Northeastern University.