Jack Lunsford leverages past experience in his role as AARP AZ State President

Jack Lunsford is still amazed when he considers how vast AARP’s mission is as an organization. AARP enhances the quality of life for older people, promotes their independence, determines the role and place of older persons in society and improves the image of aging.

He recalls the time he attended an AARP meeting for new, incoming statewide presidents in Washington D.C., earlier this year.

“I think my mouth is still suffering from the fire hose I was drinking out of learning about AARP national, the extension into the states, the absolute diversity, both of individuals and the community effort across the United States, and the commitment to that service. That was a huge takeaway for me,” he said.

Lunsford was appointed statewide president of the Arizona chapter in May 2024. In this voluntary position, Lunsford plays a critical role in shaping the future of volunteering in Arizona. He is responsible for assisting the AARP Arizona Executive Council, advocating for causes with the AARP Arizona State Director and organizing long-term partnerships with other organizations around Arizona.

Lunsford said he is a natural fit after his experience in both the philanthropy and advocacy sectors. Lunsford served as the president and CEO of Western Maricopa Coalition, or WESTMARC. The organization is all about promoting and enhancing economic development in the West Valley. Lunsford spent seven-plus years championing the causes of West Valley residents.

Whether it’s consulting at his firm, lobbying for better policies that will help Arizonans or leading AARP Arizona on a successful journey, Lunsford has always focused on people. He has spent several years of his over 45-year career looking to empower those in communities who need help.

In many of his roles, Lunsford had a mandate to the people of Arizona. He has worked with the Phoenix Mayor’s Office as a special advisor, the Arizona Small Business Association and Maricopa County Colleges.

For his day job, he serves as the president and CEO of The Lunsford Group, an organization that provides consulting services in cases of community relations, coalition-building and nonprofit organizations.

This work in nonprofit consulting is what initially inspired Lunsford to seek out AARP Arizona’s statewide presidency once it became available. Lunsford said, “It's advocacy nationally, locally and on the state level as well, so I think it's important for me in another way to give back, and this would be my initial way of giving back.”

Lunsford’s guiding motto is to be a voice for those who don’t have the platform or access that he does. This fits in with AARP Arizona’s mission to empower people 50 years or older to live with dignity and purpose. This mission guides us through all that we do, from advocacy for affordable housing to promoting financial security

Lunsford played a critical role in helping AARP Arizona advocate for HB2764, a bill that establishes oversight for memory care and assisted-living facilities, and one that aligns with AARP Arizona’s mission to enhance the quality of life for older persons.

“There's been such abuse within those homes that we need to be the leaders in that effort, ” he said.

Lunsford is also motivated to bring attention to an often-forgotten community in Arizona — caregivers. He himself was one.

Lunsford was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2009. At the same time, his mother was taking care of his father. He said, “Once I found out I was going to have to have a bone marrow transplant, I had to make the tough decision that we're going to have to put [my father] in assisted living. And then when they went into assisted living, you know, they were there for a little over a year, at $65,000 a year. You know those are costs that eat away into the savings of people who think that they've saved for their retirement.”

They did not get any recognition or support. Advocates note that caregivers often do not have a formal definition of who they are. Caregivers can be anyone caring for kids, older parents or even someone their age. Lunsford says, “Anything we can do as a society to recognize the role that caregivers play in taking care of our parents, the elderly, those who are not yet into some kind of a facilitated environment.”

In Lunsford’s role with AARP Arizona, he also hopes to make leeway in engaging with members of specific communities. Under Lunsford’s leadership and advice, he hopes to grow engagement with Latino and Black communities.

Engaging with area leads, Lunsford hopes AARP Arizona can connect with all of the communities it serves.

To learn more about AARP Arizona and its work with HB2764 read more here. You can access AARP Arizona’s caregiving resources on the dashboard here.