AARP Texas announced the appointment of Lisa A. Rodriguez as the new AARP Texas Director, effective Sept. 15. Rodriguez will lead AARP’s efforts across the state to empower people 50-plus and their families to choose how they live as they age.
Rodriguez brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of building impactful partnerships and delivering results. She most recently served as senior director of community strategy for AARP Texas, where she led a team of seven staff and hundreds of volunteers in Dallas, Fort Worth, El Paso and San Antonio. Prior to that, she led AARP’s work in San Antonio for more than a decade, managing the opening of the organization’s first office in the city and overseeing San Antonio’s entry into the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities.
Rodriguez succeeds Tina Tran, who served as AARP Texas Director until earlier this year. Tran praised the selection, saying, “Lisa is a proven leader and is well poised to see AARP Texas through its next chapter of growth. She’s a true believer in AARP’s mission, and has the passion and strategic acumen to make sure AARP continues to serve Texans 50-plus and their families. In Lisa Rodriguez, Texans have a champion with a heart as big as the state.”
Rodriguez’s career includes roles with the City of San Antonio’s Fort Sam Houston Community Development Office, J.P. Morgan Chase, and the San Antonio Housing Authority. She has served as a commissioner for the Housing Authority and as a board member for the San Antonio Public Library. She holds a B.A. from the University of Texas at San Antonio and an M.B.A. from Our Lady of the Lake University.
“I’m honored to serve as AARP Texas Director and to work with our State Executive Council, our incredible volunteers and staff,” Rodriguez said. “I’m taking the helm at the start of Hispanic Heritage Month and it’s a meaningful moment for me to begin this journey.”
Rodriguez is the first Latina to lead AARP Texas, marking a historic milestone for the organization. Throughout her career, she has championed culturally relevant programming that resonates with local communities and has worked diligently to expand their awareness of AARP’s mission. Her leadership has also been instrumental in growing the number of diverse volunteers across the state, strengthening AARP’s grassroots presence and impact.
AARP Texas currently boasts 2.5 million AARP members, and a volunteer force of 422 individuals who help advance the organization’s mission through advocacy, education, and community service.
— from staff reports