Allentown Executive James Palmquist Named Volunteer State President of AARP Pennsylvania

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Mar 06, 2012, 10:04 ET

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AARP Pennsylvania today announced the appointment of James Palmquist of Macungie to the position of volunteer state president.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120306/DC65248)

In his new role, Palmquist will partner with AARP staff and volunteers to help achieve the association's vision, mission and strategic priorities throughout Pennsylvania. He will also serve as chairman of AARP Pennsylvania's Executive Council, an all-volunteer panel that shapes policy objectives for the association's work statewide. Palmquist will serve a two-year term and succeeds Estella Hyde, who was recently named a Regional Volunteer Director for AARP.

"Jim Palmquist is an accomplished business executive, community leader and advocate," said Ivonne Gutierrez Bucher, state director of AARP Pennsylvania. "In his new role, he will be working closely with members, volunteers and community partners to help AARP achieve its advocacy, education and service objectives throughout Pennsylvania."

An AARP member since 1995, Palmquist most recently served as an AARP volunteer regional leader in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania, an area that includes more than 100,000 association members. His professional career includes 25 years at Fortune 500 Company Air Products and Chemicals, including serving as Manager of International Operations. Palmquist is also a former member of the board of directors and executive committee for Keystone Health Plan Central, a subsidiary of Capital Blue Cross.

Palmquist previously held leadership roles with the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and is a past President of the American Lung Association of the Lehigh Valley. The former naval aviator also holds a commercial pilot's license and instrument rating for both airplanes and helicopters. He is a graduate of Lycoming College and received a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Temple University, and has also served as an Adjunct Professor and Instructor at Temple and Penn State Universities.

"I look forward to putting my skills and experience to work to help Pennsylvania's 50+ residents and their families age with independence, dignity and purpose," said Palmquist.

AARP has 1.8 million members in Pennsylvania. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with nearly 35 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Contact: Steve Gardner, AARP Pennsylvania
(717) 237-6481 or [email protected]
Or
Angela Foreshaw, AARP Pennsylvania
(267) 825-9922 or [email protected]

SOURCE AARP Pennsylvania