Phil Zarlengo
Source: AARP.org | 2009-03-17
F. John "Phil" Zarlengo, Ph.D., of Jamestown, RI, was elected by the Board to serve as Vice Chair for the 2008-2010 biennium and in that capacity, chairs the Board Member Value-Social Impact Committee. During the 2006-2008 biennium, Dr. Zarlengo was a member of the Board Membership Committee and the AARP Insurance Trust. He also chaired the Board Work Group that designed the new Board Member Value-Social Impact Committee to strengthen oversight of member value and social impact throughout AARP.
Dr. Zarlengo is currently a national consultant for developing and evaluating innovative staff training programs for urban school systems. Previously, as chief executive officer of Brown University's Regional and Islands Educational Research Laboratory, he managed a $60 million budget and a staff of 200 researchers and policy analysts in 10 states plus territories, to develop nationally-acclaimed promising practices for training educational leaders and for evaluating innovative school programs.
He has also served as director of the Andrew Mellon National Center for Leadership Training at Brown University, pioneering networking strategies for inculcating change attitudes in school leaders. His Principals Leadership Network and Superintendents Leadership Council are being replicated nationally as a system for creating viable leadership for innovative and sustainable program improvements in schools and universities.
The system, known as school-based Child and Family Opportunity Zones, calls for families to use neighborhood schools as places for enrichment, cultural and recreational activity, and wellness. Supported by private and public funds, the system was heralded nationally as a successful approach to help urban youth and their families cope with significant health, economic, education and language problems.
Prior to his election to the AARP Board, Dr. Zarlengo was AARP Rhode Island State President for five years, which broadened his understanding of how all segments of AARP - members, volunteers, staff and for-profit and charitable affiliates - must work together seamlessly to accomplish AARP's social impact and member value goals. As State President, he initiated a collaborative program with the Medical School at Brown University to study and disseminate research about the needs and habits of Boomers, resulting in the Annual Boomers Conference. He also worked with AARP staff to establish visibility of the new state office.
Dr. Zarlengo is a featured speaker for the AARP RI state office's collaborative initiative with RI businesses to encourage employers to hire older workers. The Providence Rotary Club acknowledged his contributions in this area. He was also a member of AARP's 2006 National Leadership Forum Planning Committee, working closely with state and national level volunteers and staff, and a member of the National Volunteer Engagement Project.
Along with experience in managing multi-million dollar projects and working with boards in the development and implementation of policies, Dr. Zarlengo brings to the Board strong media communication skills and experience testifying in a variety of settings including state legislatures and Congress. Additionally, he has served on the Rhode Island General Assembly Legislative Commission on Predatory Lending and chaired the Scholarship Committee for United Italian Americans.
Among his numerous awards, Dr. Zarlengo has received a National Conference Presenter award from the National Association of Elementary School Principals for his work on regional leadership networks; a President's Award from the National Education Knowledge Industry Association for promoting research-based models in education; and a recognition and appreciation award from Bradley Hospital for his interdisciplinary work on education and health.
