AARP Florida Announces New State President

AARP Florida today named longtime volunteer, Ken Thomas, as State President. As the top volunteer position in the AARP Florida state office, the state president works in partnership with the state director and other staff and volunteers to lead AARP’s advocacy and programmatic work in the state.

Credit: Ken Thomas

AARP Florida State Director Jeff Johnson said, “On behalf of 2.8 million members across Florida, we are delighted to welcome back Ken Thomas as our state president and a leading voice for Floridians 50+. Ken’s experience and commitment to improving the lives of all Floridians will be important to our state. He has an incredibly strong track record of leadership and service, and I’m confident he will excel once again in this role.

“We give heartfelt thanks to Donna Ginn for her service and commitment as AARP Florida’s state president over the last six years. Donna has been an exceptional partner in our work during some very difficult times for volunteers and staff alike. We look forward to continuing to work with Donna in other capacities as she continues to volunteer for AARP.”

Ken Thomas is an experienced AARP volunteer with rooted community leadership in his hometown of Boca Raton, Fla. Thomas will be leading the efforts of the AARP Florida Executive Council, which helps drive AARP work in the Sunshine State. Ken served as State President previously in 2014 before being selected to become the first AARP Regional Volunteer Director for the newly constituted Mega Region, of which Florida is a member. He was awarded AARP Florida’s Andrus Award for Community Service in 2020. He committed more than three decades of service to the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Air Force, turning his attention to community volunteerism after his retirement.

He began in 2003 mentoring children through Guardian ad Litem. In 2010, he began volunteering with AARP by advocating to protect programs that matter to the 50+ such as Social Security and Medicare. Outside of AARP, his volunteer work has included serving as an AARP Driver Safety Instructor, leading the Palm Beach chapter of the League of Women Voters as president, and providing outreach with the Tuskegee Airmen of South Florida where he received the honorary title of Tuskegee Airman.

Thomas is a native of Williamsburg, Va., and is a proud husband to his wife of 35+ years, Deliah Stuart Thomas. Thomas also takes pride in his five children, 10 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.