Introducing KAG's New President Nelda Barnett

Barbara Gordon

Nelda Barnett is KAG's new President. She is not a newbie to KAG, but is returning after a very impressive and renowned adventure in service to older adults, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and our country. We would like to introduce to some, and present to others, KAG's 2009-2010 President. Nelda has had a distinguished career in aging services and advocacy.

She began her career working with the elderly in the early 1970's with the United Way of Owensboro. She worked for 19 years for the Green River Area Agency on Aging, leading the expansion of many services, including the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program and implementing Project Independence, a program helping older adults remain at home. She served as Vice-President of the Board of the National Association for Area Agencies on Aging, and President of the Southeast Association for Area Agencies on Aging and the Kentucky Association for Gerontology.

Nelda currently serves on the Leadership Council of the National Council on Aging. She has served as the first state President of AARP Kentucky and just completed a six-year term on the national AARP Board of Directors. Nelda is the only person from Kentucky to have this honor. She has twice been a delegate for the White House Conference on Aging, and has testified before congressional committees and the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging.  She currently chairs an Advisory Panel for AT & T of special populations and is now the President of KAG.  Let’s now hear directly from the 2009-2010 President of KAG.

An Interview with Nelda Barnett

Interviewer: Hello Nelda. Welcome back to KAG. You are not a stranger to this organization, are you?

Nelda: No, I am not. I have been affiliated with KAG for several years and also served as KAG President from 1989-1992.

Interviewer: What are your goals for KAG as you re-engage with the organization and as President?

Nelda: I want to work on increasing KAG membership and increasing the diversity of our members, including varied professional groups, academicians, advocates, older persons, and others. I think we need more people who represent Senior Centers and older adults themselves. I'd also like to reach out to all areas of the state. We must engage professionals and older adults from areas that are not represented as well as they should be within the membership. KAG must have a presence in every community. I'd also like KAG to take a leadership role in training professionals.

Interviewer: What is your vision for KAG over the next three to four years?

Nelda: KAG's vision must be about adapting itself to the changing demographics, politics, environment, community and professional arena that we moving towards. We must be aware and cognizant of the impact of these changes in order for the organization to be a spokesperson for older adults, gerontologists and the field of gerontology. It is fun to be back!