Iowa Executive Council Members John and Beverly McCartney of Fort Dodge

AARP Iowa appreciates the leadership and service John and Beverly McCartney of Fort Dodge have provided to the AARP Iowa state Executive Council since 2009, and will continue to provide through the completion their term in 2015. As the immediate past, co-presidents of the Iowa Retired School Personnel Association, the McCartneys have played a lead role in working with state AARP staff and volunteers to shape Iowa’s evolving volunteer structure.

Both former educators, the Missouri natives are far from retired. John, who taught at Iowa Central Community College where he served as chairman of the music department and director of the band before retiring in 1995, is a realtor with Iowa Realty in Fort Dodge.  Beverly, who taught in the Fort Dodge Community Schools at Riverside, Cooper, Arey and Hawley elementary schools, retired in 1998, but continues to be involved in the education system.  For 12 years after retiring from classroom teaching, she  supervised student teachers for Buena Vista University and Iowa State University. She currently volunteers with the schools.

Beyond their leadership roles with IRSPA and AARP, John and Beverly are both active in the First Baptist Church, where John has been Choir Director for more than 20 years and Beverly has been church pianist and organist, as well as taught Sunday school and been a part of their church quilting group.  An alto sax musician, John has been a member of the Karl King Municipal Band for 40 years, is involved with the Golden Kiwanis and enjoys golfing.

"AARP has been extremely fortunate to have the John and Bev on the Executive Council," said AARP Iowa State Director Kent Sovern.  "Their insights and IRSPA connections have been instrumental in the council becoming stronger and more strategic; we are indebted to them for their leadership."