The Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of Southwest Washington (AAADSW) announced that after 12 years Executive Director David Kelly will retire on December 31, 2020. Kelly leaves the agency on solid financial ground and well positioned for a smooth leadership transition. An executive search process is underway, with Kelly’s successor taking the helm of the Agency effective December 31, 2020.

During his 12 years of leadership, Kelly guided AAADSW through a difficult transition from a private not for profit to a public sector agency. Notably, his bold vision provided a catalyst for AAADSW’s management team and staff to broaden AAADSW’s reach to more Medicaid and Medicare clients through Washington State’s Health Homes Care Coordination program; AAADSW’s participation in training medical school residents on services for elders through the University of Washington’s Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Center; innovating the Aging and Disabilities Resources Center by embedding specialists in The Vancouver Clinic’s Vancouver Plaza location; teaming with Kaiser Permanente’s Thrive Local program; participating with Washington State University Vancouver in a pilot study of AAADSW’s services; expanding family caregiver services; and solidifying AAADSW’s core Older Americans Act services that include nutrition, transportation, and providing information to the public.

“The public service AAADSW delivers to Southwest Washington seniors, those adults living with a disability, and their families is a powerful and profound use of taxpayer dollars,” said Kelly. “I have been so proud to be the Executive Director of this agency. I retire thankful to the current and past elected county commissioner officials who have overseen our agency. I’m especially grateful to the exceptional fellow public servants that I have worked with these past 12 years.”

“Having been on the AAADSW Council of Governments board that hired David Kelly 12 years ago, and on behalf of my fellow Council of Governments members, we have been very pleased with David’s vision and diligent public service,” said AAADSW Council of Governments Chair and Wahkiakum County Commissioner Dan Cothren. “We’re confident that the agency will move forward with the same vision and innovation and we wish David the very best in his retirement.”