Tallahassee, Fla - Doug Heinlen has been appointed as the new AARP Florida State President, effective January 13, 2009, and Yolanda Rodriguez as the newest member of the state executive council, effective January 1, 2009. Both the state presidency and executive council membership are volunteer positions with a two-year term of services, and require a commitment to the goals and priorities of AARP.

"We are extremely proud and honored to have two such capable leaders representing AARP Florida," said Lori Parham, AARP Florida State Director. "I'm confident that Doug and Yolanda will do an outstanding job of helping us to continue to carry out our vision and mission. Their experience and the dedication they've shown make them a perfect fit with us in their new positions."

Heinlen, a self-described history buff and news junkie, has been a Sarasota resident since retiring in 2001 and is extremely active in community and state issues. He has worked as an AARP advocacy volunteer leader and has served on the AARP Florida Executive Council for the past four years. He has also served on Florida's Financial Literacy Council, the Governor's team for "Civic Engagement of Older Adults" Policy Institute project and several local senior advisory boards. Mr. Heinlen also launched AARP's first online/real world community, "Sarasota Coffee & Info", a forum to discuss AARP events in the Sarasota area and other issues pertinent to area AARP members. His pioneering efforts were a motivating force behind AARP's decision in 2008 to enter the world of user-created social-networking sites on www.aarp.org < http://www.aarp.org/ > .

An active participant in the field of aging since 1982, Rodriguez worked for the last 10 years as director for Broward County's Northwest Focal Point Senior Center. She now works as assistant city manager for the city of Margate and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Florida Council on Aging. Ms. Rodriguez received her Master of Health Sciences from Florida International University and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences from the University of Florida.