AARP Names New Washington State President
By: States: Washington | Source: AARP.org | Date Posted:
AARP is proud to announce the appointment of new AARP Washington State President John Barnett. In his role, Barnett will direct the organization’s activities on behalf of more than 925,000 Washington State members, and provide leadership in long-range planning to help meet the needs of the state’s older adults and their families.
“I welcome the opportunity to work with Washington’s AARP volunteers and staff,” said Barnett. “I plan to continue our efforts around consumer protection, health care and long-term care issues, and the fight to lower prescription drug costs. These issues not only affect today’s older adults, but also their families and friends for generations to come.”
Barnett is well known for his advocacy efforts to protect and improve nursing home and assisted living rights. He has been a volunteer with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, a volunteer bereavement counselor, a delegate to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging, and chair of the Kirkland Senior Council.
In addition to his advocacy work, Barnett wrote – and lives – the book on healthy aging. Author of the book “How to Feel Good as You Age,” Barnett exercises daily and never misses an opportunity to encourage others to live healthy and active lives. In 2002, Barnett spearheaded a partnership between AARP and the Healthy Aging Partnership to establish the Sound Steps program. Sound Steps, a King County walking program, seeks to motivate inactive adults age 50 and over to begin a regular and lifelong commitment to fitness. It has been replicated in several states and in Canada. For his commitment to healthy aging and to helping those in need, AARP awarded Barnett with the 2006 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service.
Barnett received the year 2000 Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary International for service above self. He administered an educational exchange program between the U.S. and Japan and retired from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a Paris-based group of 30 countries where he worked in public information and marketing. His graduate studies include the University of Washington and Sophia University in Tokyo. Barnett lives in Kirkland with his wife Yoko.
“I’m excited to welcome John to his new volunteer role,” said AARP State Director Doug Shadel. “His experience in community service, advocacy and outreach is outstanding, and his leadership will serve our members well.”
“I welcome the opportunity to work with Washington’s AARP volunteers and staff,” said Barnett. “I plan to continue our efforts around consumer protection, health care and long-term care issues, and the fight to lower prescription drug costs. These issues not only affect today’s older adults, but also their families and friends for generations to come.”
Barnett is well known for his advocacy efforts to protect and improve nursing home and assisted living rights. He has been a volunteer with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, a volunteer bereavement counselor, a delegate to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging, and chair of the Kirkland Senior Council.
In addition to his advocacy work, Barnett wrote – and lives – the book on healthy aging. Author of the book “How to Feel Good as You Age,” Barnett exercises daily and never misses an opportunity to encourage others to live healthy and active lives. In 2002, Barnett spearheaded a partnership between AARP and the Healthy Aging Partnership to establish the Sound Steps program. Sound Steps, a King County walking program, seeks to motivate inactive adults age 50 and over to begin a regular and lifelong commitment to fitness. It has been replicated in several states and in Canada. For his commitment to healthy aging and to helping those in need, AARP awarded Barnett with the 2006 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service.
Barnett received the year 2000 Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary International for service above self. He administered an educational exchange program between the U.S. and Japan and retired from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a Paris-based group of 30 countries where he worked in public information and marketing. His graduate studies include the University of Washington and Sophia University in Tokyo. Barnett lives in Kirkland with his wife Yoko.
“I’m excited to welcome John to his new volunteer role,” said AARP State Director Doug Shadel. “His experience in community service, advocacy and outreach is outstanding, and his leadership will serve our members well.”
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