Creating Livable Communities -#4AllAges

KENT SOVERN
Co-Chair of Greater Des Moines Age-Friendly Initiative

Kent Sovern retired from everyday work in July 2018 after serving seven years as the State Director of AARP in Iowa.  During his tenure with AARP, Kent was among the small cadre' of State Directors who led the organization to develop tools, resources and programs that helped build and support Livable/Age-Friendly communities across the nation.  

Today, Kent is the AARP Livable Communities volunteer - serving as one of the Co-Chairs of the Greater Des Moines Age-Friendly Initiative.  He also works with AARP's Livable Communities national office team as a navigator and advocate; helping civic leaders to create more livable and age-friendly communities throughout the nation.

Prior to joining AARP, Kent was engaged in service leadership with a wide variety of organizations.  He was President of the New Iowa Group and Executive Director of the Iowa Parks Foundation.  Kent also served as the Executive Director of the Des Moines Higher Eduction Collaborative at the Pappajohn Center, Senior Vice President of Government and International Relations at the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Director of Public Policy for the League of Iowa Municipalities.

Kent is a Rotarian (Rotary Club of Des Moines) and a member of several professional associations, business and civic advocacy groups in Greater Des Moines.  He served as volunteer Vice-Chair on the City of Des Moines Planning and Zoning Commission for 12 years.