New position: Manager, state operations, AARP Florida, St. Petersburg; Previous position: Vice president, marketing and communications, American Cancer Society, Florida Division, Tampa
By FRED W. WRIGHT JR.
Published June 16, 2003
As the first Florida manager of operations for the AARP, Robert Gallo works with a wide range of people, from volunteers to lobbyists.
The new position, Gallo said, is "recognition of the expansion and additional work we're taking on here" in Florida, where the AARP has an estimated 2.6-million members statewide. Nationally, the group has 35-million members.
Gallo is responsible for all of the AARP's community services programs, "all of our volunteer programs and the individuals who manage them," he said.
The Florida affiliate of the AARP has three offices - Tallahassee, St. Petersburg and Miramar - with a total of 25 employees. In addition, Gallo said, there are "legions of volunteers" who participate in and promote the huge nonprofit organization's various community and legislative efforts.
"There are just so many things on the radar right now in the advocacy area," he said. These issues include rising telephone rates, long-term health care, independent living and the cost of prescription drugs. "Part of my job will be to let people understand and realize how involved this organization is in relationship to issues for adults over the age of 50," he said.
"One of the areas we're very interested in is the development in the area of community service and volunteerism," Gallo said. "AARP has enjoyed a significant member growth in Florida and we're looking for ways to essentially give back to members and the community at large."
For example, Gallo said the AARP has a pilot program elsewhere involving "intragenerational types of opportunities," combining efforts with AARP volunteers and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Such a program might be launched in Florida as well, he suggested.
Gallo has long been interested in volunteerism, even as he explored different professions. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1977 from Long Island University and entered the wholesale apparel industry in New York City.
"Not that I dreamed about doing that," Gallo said, "but it was the '70s and a recession and that's where the opportunity was. It was a fascinating and rich environment to be in. It gave me opportunities to do things beyond what I might have expected to have done."
After nearly a decade in the apparel industry, which brought him to Florida, Gallo became director of advertising for the Florida Lottery from 1992-2000. He joined the American Cancer Society in 2001 and for two years was vice president of marketing and communications.
Gallo said it wasn't difficult for him to change professions. "You find your skills and abilities are much more transferable and they don't have to be in one particular industry or sector," he said.
He said he was compelled to shift into the nonprofit industry because "I'm a do-gooder in my heart. In my nonprofit career, I've always been involved in volunteer types of activities."
Currently, Gallo is president of the board of directors of the Florida affiliate of V.S. Arts (Very Special Arts), a nationwide organization that uses the arts "to empower the creative spirit in individuals with disabilities." He is also on the national board of directors.
Gallo thinks the need for volunteers will continue to increase in the state. "Florida is going to get older instead of younger," he said. There are many services that are going to be needed on all levels, and Gallo said he is concerned that legislators in Tallahassee "seem to be planning very much for the short term and not much for the long term."
Although only 48, Gallo's new position allows him to be a lifetime member of the AARP, whose youngest members are 50.
Gallo and his wife, Janis Karam Gallo, a fine arts curator, live in Dunedin. When he has free time, Gallo said he likes to fish near Caladesi Island.
