AARP Tennessee Welcomes New State President

"It is truly an honor to represent our more than 650,000 AARP members in Tennessee and act as the principal volunteer spokesperson," said Kraig Smith, the newly appointed state president for AARP Tennessee.

AARP Tennessee is pleased to welcome Nashville-resident Kraig Smith as its new state president, the top AARP volunteer role in the state.

As state president, Smith will serve as the head of the AARP Tennessee Executive Council and will lead the council in its work with the state and national staff to develop the strategic direction for AARP Tennessee. AARP’s executive council is a volunteer-lead advisory group that helps determine the priorities and program focus that impacts communities statewide.

“We are excited to have Kraig as AARP Tennessee’s new state president,” said AARP State Director Rebecca Kelly. “His energy, experience and personal passion for issues like Medicare, livable communities, and personal fulfillment are a perfect match for our priorities, both statewide and nationally.”

Smith brings a wealth of experience in both the healthcare and non-profit fields with executive and leadership roles as Vice President of Member Engagement for UnitedHealthcare and Regional Director of Business Development for one of the largest hospice companies in America. He has also served in strategic leadership for several managed care organizations and as a consultant for the state of California’s Primary Care Case Management program. In addition, Smith led a team of professionals who created a nationally acclaimed non-profit welfare-to-work program, known as Jumpstart.

Smith succeeds Donna Dean, who had served in the role since January 2015.

“Kraig joins an impressive roster of state presidents who have raised the profile of our work here in Tennessee; a list that includes the current AARP National Volunteer Director, Margot Seay, who served in the role from 2007 to 2012,” Kelly continued.

Smith expressed his excitement to be supporting AARP and its efforts to help Tennessee’s 50-plus population. He has a deep understanding of the benefits of living in Tennessee and the challenges that its communities and residents face today and in the future.

“Being selected as AARP Tennessee’s State President is a true honor,” Smith said. “I look forward to engaging as many Tennesseans as possible in advocating for the protection of programs, including Medicare and Social Security.”