NCHC | News – Media Statements

James G. Parkel
President
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)

James G. Parkel of New Fairfield, CT, assumed the office of AARP President at the 2002 National Leadership Conference. He previously was elected President-elect of AARP at the 2000 Biennial Convention. As President-elect, Mr. Parkel served on the Board Audit and Finance Committee, the Convention Program Committee, and the Executive Director Search Committee. He also continues to serve as chair of the AARP Andrus Foundation and as a member of the board of councilors of the Andrus Gerontology Center at USC.

During the 1998 – 2000 biennium, Mr. Parkel served on the Board Committee on Membership and Member Services and the AARP Andrus Foundation and Andrus Gerontology Boards. Prior to his election to the board, he was a member of AARP’s National Legislative Council and AARP’s national Steering Committee of New Roles in Society Program.

Mr. Parkel recently has been invited to join the Madison Council of the Library of Congress. He also is member of the board of directors of the Danbury Hospital, the New Fairfield Community Trust and the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird). He was chair of Junior Achievement of Westchester, a member of the national board of Junior Achievement, and president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Junior Achievement International. Mr. Parkel is a member and past national chair for the Society of Human Resource Management.

Prior to retirement in 1993 as President and CEO of the IBM International Foundation, Mr. Parkel spent 32 years in executive management with IBM. He has held positions in all aspects of human resource management including retirement programs, Social Security and health care.

Mr. Parkel recently was inducted into the Junior Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hall of Fame. He has received numerous personal awards throughout his career for special contributions to organizations including IBM, the Society of Human Resource Management, Junior Achievement, National Urban League, the Jaycees, and the University of Denver. He holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Denver and an honorary doctor of law degree from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird).