Wendell Alfred of Lewes named AARP state president

Wendell Alfred of Lewes has been selected as the new president of AARP Delaware, the state office’s top volunteer role.

AARP has more than 189,000 members in Delaware and is instrumental in improving the lives of older adults through information, advocacy, community service, local offerings and events. Its mission is to give Delawareans more choices regarding how they live as they age.

Since moving to Lewes more than 20 years ago, Alfred has dedicated much of his life to helping others. “My life goal is to keep helping people,” he said.

He began his tenure with AARP 20 years ago as a driver safety volunteer. Alfred also represented AARP on the General Assembly’s Aging in Place Working Group in 2022. 

Today, he actively volunteers as an AARP fraud fighter to help Delawareans prevent fraud and avoid scams.

In 2019, he attended AARP’s Livable Communities Rural Workshop Conference in Portland, Maine, where he presented on preparing for extreme weather and disasters. He is dedicated to communicating with older Delawareans to ensure they have the information they need to stay healthy and safe.

“We are thrilled that Mr. Alfred has accepted our offer to serve as state president,” said Lucretia Young, AARP Delaware state director. “He has added amazing value to our presence in the First State.”

Alfred served on the Lewes Board of Public Works and was president for part of that time. He was recognized for his service when the BPW’s water production plant near Cape Henlopen High School was named in his honor. His lifetime focus on public safety has been demonstrated in his 40-year career in the insurance industry and his work as a police officer.

He currently serves as president of the Beebe Hospital Auxiliary board and has given 18 years and nearly 18,000 hours of volunteer service to Beebe.

Alfred grew up in Covington, Va., and earned an associate degree from Northern Virginia Community College. Wendell Alfred has been with his partner, Mike, for 40 years.