Chuck Betts of Keokuk Named AARP Iowa State President

Chuck Betts of Keokuk has been named AARP Iowa State President with responsibility to lead the Association’s Iowa Executive Council, working closely with AARP Iowa State Director Kent Sovern, Iowa staff and volunteers in their efforts on behalf of AARP’s approximately 370,000 members in Iowa.

Betts, who has served on the AARP Executive Council since 2015, brings a wide range of professional and volunteer experiences in leadership, planning, educating and organizing to the state president role. Currently senior consultant at KEO Associates, Inc., Betts’ career has included executive director of the Keokuk Chamber of Commerce, executive director of the Center for Business and Industry at Southeastern Community College, manager of organizational and employee development for Roquette America, Keokuk, and director of marketing services for Norand Corporation, Cedar Rapids.

An accomplished volunteer and leader, Betts has been involved at the community, regional and state level for numerous organizations ranging from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation to the Governors’ Access Committee for Distance Education, the Keokuk Community Theatre Board of Directors and Keokuk Community Schools Foundation to the Keokuk Rotary, United Way of Keokuk, Great River Players, Hoerner YMCA, Common Grounds Center for Youth and Keokuk Rand Park Pavilion.

In announcing the selection of Betts to the state’s top volunteer position, Jim Scheibel, Regional Volunteer Director for the AARP Central Region said, “We’re very fortunate to have someone with Chuck’s background and abilities leading AARP in Iowa. He will be a great asset in the development of AARP Iowa’s statewide priorities and an excellent leader of AARP Iowa volunteers.”

“Through his work on the Executive Council, Chuck has shown tremendous leadership and dedication to addressing the ever-changing needs of older Iowans,” said AARP State Director Kent Sovern. “He brings a unique depth of public service, policy expertise and activism to our statewide efforts, and we’re thrilled he’s taking on this role to advocate for all Iowans age 50 and over and their families.”

Betts has had active and leadership roles in professional organizations including American Management Association, American Society for Training and Development, and Society for Human Resource Management. Betts holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University and master’s degree from the University of Iowa.

AARP Iowa Executive Council members work with staff and volunteers to provide ongoing strategic direction for state programs, advocacy, and community engagement in support of AARP priority issues. Executive Council terms are two years, and members may be reappointed twice. AARP has nearly 380,000 members in Iowa. For more information, visit www.aarp.org/IA.