New Brunswick-based AARP recently announced that Chris Widelo has been selected as the new state director for AARP New Jersey. On behalf of all older New Jerseyans, including more than 1 million Garden State AARP members, Widelo will lead the state office’s advocacy and outreach efforts to strengthen New Jersey communities with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment.
Widelo comes to AARP New Jersey with more than 20 years of extensive federal, state and local lobbying experience, a track record of success in community engagement and building strategic alliances, and extensive experience in media relations.
Widelo previously served more than 16 years in numerous positions at AARP. He served as AARP New York’s associate state director of advocacy in both New York City and Albany. He also served as the associate state director of outreach and community engagement in New York City and as the senior associate state director of advocacy in the Boston metro area.
“It is my honor to join the AARP New Jersey team as state director,” Widelo said. “Our goal is to make New Jersey a great place to grow up and grow older, which includes affordable, quality options for New Jerseyans to stay in their homes and communities.”
Most recently, Widelo served as the director of external affairs and government relations at the New York State Association for Affordable Housing. In this role, he led the lobbying and government relations work of the nation’s largest affordable housing trade association, directed the collaboration between external partners and executed the modernization of the organization’s branding, digital presence and communications strategy.
