Ortiz – Director Of Hispanic Membership Development @ AARP.

Ismael (Junior) Ortiz has joined AARP as the Director of Hispanic/Latino Membership Development. Ortiz will be responsible for leading efforts to increase outreach to Hispanic/Latinos and to ensure their AARP membership experience is one of value.

Before joining the Association, Ortiz was a Principal of Ortiz and Associates, a marketing company that designed and executed strategies for specific populations, including Latinos and African Americans.

Prior to founding Ortiz & Associates, Ortiz was the Sr. Vice President and Director of Government Relations for MBNA America Bank where he developed, implemented and managed marketing, advertising and government relations programs. At MBNA, he also established business and legislative relationships in key Latino markets throughout the United States.

Ortiz also served in the U.S. Marine Corps as Director of Marketing and Advertising where he successfully developed and led an advertising and marketing strategy aimed at increasing recruitment at a national level. Throughout his career with the U.S. Marine Corps, Ortiz worked and lived in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Far East and Africa. In 2001, he retired from the Marine Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel.

“All segments of the 50+ population are important to AARP,” said Chief Diversity Officer Ron LeGrand. “There are many similarities such as a desire for affordable prescription drugs, caregiving and enhancement of life. However, there are some differences AARP respects both in planning Association activities and outreach programs that cross racial and ethnic lines. We are pleased to have someone who has the experience that Ortiz has in developing effective strategies to help us become even more inclusive in reaching out to diverse populations,” he said.