Jon Bartholomew Joins AARP Oregon

Andie Petkus Photography

Clackamas, Oregon -- Jonathan (Jon) Bartholomew has been selected AARP Oregon’s ASD for Advocacy, announced State Director Jerry Cohen. Jon will replace Rick Bennett who is retiring from the position at the end of August.

“Having worked with Jon on several initiatives and groups, including the Oregon Campaign for Seniors and People with Disabilities, we are thrilled Jon will be joining the AARP Oregon team on August 18th,” said Cohen. “He is already familiar with many of the issues AARP champions.

Jon has an impressive background in public policy development and advocacy and volunteer recruitment and engagement. He comes to AARP from the Oregon Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association where he has served as Public Policy Director. During the 2014 Oregon legislative session, Jon led the efforts to enact a Silver Alert bill, developing strong bipartisan support from state legislators.

Jon coordinated the effort to craft the first ever State Plan for Alzheimer ’s disease in Oregon (SPADO), which was a broad stakeholder effort to develop a plan to address the impact of Alzheimer’s in the state. Having successfully lobbied for state funding to implement the recommendations of the state plan he currently co-chairs the SPADO Implementation Team coordinating with state agencies, nonprofit groups, businesses and other stakeholders. Jon was appointed to the Governor’s Commission on Senior Services by Governor John Kitzhaber.

Prior to his role at the Alzheimer’s Association, Jon was Policy Advocate for Oregon State Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG) and was responsible for promoting OSPIRG’s agenda for government transparency, democracy reforms, budget reform, and consumer protection. Jon successfully led efforts to protect homeowners facing foreclosure. And he was appointed by the Speaker of the House to the Transparency Oregon Advisory Commission.

Jon has also held positions with Common Cause , Maine Citizen Leadership Fund, Citizen Action of New York, and Planned Parenthood of Western Washington.

Jon holds a Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University, and a Masters of Public Administration from University of Washington in Seattle. He lives in Portland with his wife, Traci Chenette.

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