North Florida Community Leader Joins AARP’s Volunteer Board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2015

CONTACT
Ajla Subasic, 727-592-8024, asubasic@aarp.org

North Florida Community Leader Joins AARP’s Volunteer Board
Local Resident, Stephen Rome, Joins AARP Florida’s Executive Council

Pensacola, Fla. – AARP Florida State Director Jeff Johnson announced today that Pensacola community leader Stephen Rome, has been appointed to AARP’s Florida Executive Council. The Executive Council serves as the “voice of AARP members in Florida,” representing AARP Florida on a wide range of issues affecting Floridians 50+.

“AARP Florida is pleased that a person of Stephen Rome’s proven community commitment and leadership capability has agreed to serve in this important role in leading the country’s largest membership organization for people 50-plus in the nation’s grayest state,” said Johnson.

Rome retired from a successful career as a chemical engineer in 2007, and even before his retirement, he demonstrated his commitment to creating a better society. Rome served as Vice President and then President of his local synagogue and spent much time volunteering as a substitute Religion School teacher. As a synagogue board member, he organized participation for various programs such as Paint Your Heart Pensacola and Habitat for Humanity. Rome also instituted a Holiday Pinch Hitter program, whereby synagogue members allowed Christians time off during the Christmas holidays, and served on the United Way Pensacola Allocation Board.

After retiring, Rome served as President of the Pensacola Jewish Federation Board and on the board of the local FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program.

In 2010, he joined AARP’s Advocacy Volunteer program. The purpose of the program is to present AARP’s position on issues affecting adults 50-plus to the public, as well as to community and government officials, including state and federal legislators. While serving as a member of AARP’s Advocacy Volunteer program, Rome visited Florida legislators and lobbied Sen. Bill Nelson’s office in Washington.

After becoming an AARP Advocacy Volunteer, Rome also became an AARP Speakers Bureau member and an Advocacy Volunteer Trainer, helping to inform local groups about issues important to people 50-plus and training other volunteers to present information. He also developed a public speaking module, which is now part of the Advocacy Volunteer curriculum.

Rome has resided in Pensacola for the past 22 years with his wife of 43 years.

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About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.