Meet the AARP DC Executive Council
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2003-07-17 13:41:56
AARP District of Columbia has appointed three committed volunteers to our Executive Council. Romaine B. Thomas, Robert Guttman and Doris E. McCannon play key roles in AARP DC's strategic planning activities. The three volunteers join AARP District of Columbia State Director Mimi Castaldi, who also serves on the council, to reach out to members and volunteers to determine the District's priorities for the year 2003 and beyond. In addition, council members often represent AARP DC at events, meetings and legislative hearings. We benefit greatly from the wealth of experience they bring to their volunteer leadership roles.
Romaine B. Thomas, State President
Romaine B. Thomas joined AARP DC as State President in January of 2002. A native Washingtonian, Thomas brings to AARP DC a lifetime of experience in community service and education. She was a DC public school principal for 30 years, and also served our city as a teacher, administrator, ANC commissioner and member of numerous boards and organizations.
Her leadership and coalition building skills earned her the National Association of Elementary School Principals' (NAESP) National Distinguished Principal Award. She has been honored by organizations such as the American Business Women's Association, National Capital Parks, Union Temple Church, Community Action Program and Washington Urban League for dedicated service to the District. Thomas received a BS from Miner Teachers College and an MA from George Washington University. She completed advanced coursework at Temple University, New York University, Howard University and William & Mary College.
Robert Guttman, Executive Council for Advocacy
Robert M. Guttman is a retired attorney with experience working both in the Executive and Legislative Branches. He has served as Chief of Staff to Vice President Dan Quayle, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Labor Management Standards, Associate Solicitor for Legislation at the US Department of Labor, Counsel for the Senate Subcommittee on Employment and Productivity, Staff Director of the Temporary Senate Committee to Study the Senate Committee Systems and Assistant Chief of the Education and Public Welfare Division of the Congressional Research Service. Guttman has also been active in the DC community, running a program to provide pro bono lawyers to foster parents who want to adopt children and working as a volunteer to reform the child welfare system in DC. He received a BS from Harvard and JD from George Washington University. Guttman also serves on the AARP National Legislative Committee and on the board of the AARP Legal Counsel for the Elderly, an affiliated charitable organization.
Doris E. McCannon, Executive Council for Community Service
Doris E. McCannon joined the Executive Council with a record of volunteering on behalf of AARP. She has served as Secretary of the AARP DC Community Council, a volunteer referral specialist in the National AARP volunteer center and a member of the State President selection teams in California, Oregon and Rhode Island. She has also served as President of AARP National Chapter 100. McCannon is a tutor and site coordinator with the DC Experience Corps, a group that creates volunteer opportunities for seniors to work directly with children in schools, and has helped recruit additional volunteers as tutors and mentors. She has also served in leadership roles with several community organizations, including the Northwest Boundary Civic Association, Ward 4 Democrats, St. Gabriel Catholic Church and the Armstrong High School Alumni Association. McCannon is a retired high school social studies teacher. She has also worked as the Assistant Director for the Emory Teen Center, a graduate instructor of sociology at Coppin State College, and a unit supervisor at the Central Intelligence Agency. She received her BS from Dunbarton College of Holy Cross and an MS in Sociology from the Illinois Institute of Technology. She completed advanced coursework at Howard University, DC Teachers College and Goucher College. McCannon also serves on the AARP Inclusion Network, dedicated to making AARP a world class organization by welcoming and engaging volunteers from diverse backgrounds.
Cheryl Fields, Executive Council for Communications
Cheryl Fields is the Director of Public Affairs at the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges and an Executive Editor of “Change” magazine. She worked as a writer and editor for the “Chronicle of Higher Education,” ultimately serving as Associate Managing Editor for “Opinion.” She has also served in leadership roles with organizations including the National Press Club, Washington Press Club, American News Women’s Club and the Higher Education Group. Fields has a BA in journalism from the University of Michigan.
Carroll Green, Executive Council for Public Outreach
Carroll Green retired from DOD where he was a senior manager responsible for toxic waste cleanup. He has been active in local politics and civic associations, and currently serves as president of the Federation of Citizens Associations of DC. He has also been active with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and with his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi. Green has an MPA from Western Michigan University.
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