AARP New Jersey Welcomes Chris Widelo as New State Director

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (Jan. 18, 2024) – AARP is pleased to announce that Chris Widelo has been selected as the new State Director for AARP New Jersey. On behalf of all older New Jerseyans, including more than 1 million Garden State AARP members, Widelo will lead the state office’s advocacy and outreach efforts to strengthen New Jersey communities with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment.

Widelo comes to AARP New Jersey with more than 20 years of extensive federal, state and local lobbying experience, a track record of success in community engagement and building strategic alliances, and extensive experience in media relations.

AARP is thrilled to welcome Widelo back to the organization as he previously served more than 16 years in numerous positions at AARP. He served as AARP New York’s Associate State Director of Advocacy in both New York City and Albany. He also served as the Associate State Director of Outreach and Community Engagement in New York City and as the Senior Associate State Director of Advocacy in the Boston metro area.

“It is my honor to join the AARP New Jersey team as State Director,” said Widelo. “Our goal is to make New Jersey a great place to grow up and grow older, which includes affordable, quality options for New Jerseyans to stay in their homes and communities. The AARP New Jersey team has made significant progress to reduce property taxes, lower prescription drug costs, provide support for family caregivers, help residents save for retirement and keep utility rates reasonable. My goal is to ensure these issues stay at the forefront, and I’m looking forward to working with our staff and volunteers to continue educating and advocating on behalf of those 50 and older.”

Most recently, Widelo served as the Director of External Affairs and Government Relations at the New York State Association for Affordable Housing. In this role, he directed the lobbying and government relations work of the nation’s largest affordable housing trade association, led the collaboration between external partners, and executed the modernization of the organization’s branding, digital presence and communications strategy.

Widelo holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science and is currently working toward his Master of Science in Dispute Resolution.

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About AARP New Jersey
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. AARP New Jersey educates and advocates on behalf of those 50 and older on issues that are important to them, their families and to all Garden State residents. The organization works to strengthen New Jersey communities with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/nj or follow @AARPNJ on social media.


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