Michael Wagler Named AARP Iowa State Director

Michael Wagler of Des Moines has been named the new AARP Iowa State Director, effective November 11. He will oversee operations of the Iowa state office, which includes a staff of four full-time employees and a volunteer advisory Executive Council that works on behalf of all Iowans 50+, including more than 329,000 AARP members statewide. He succeeds Brad Anderson who moved to a new role in AARP as Vice President of Community Engagement.

“It’s an honor to join this incredible organization and be part of the AARP Iowa team,” said Wagler. “I’m excited to dive in and continue the important work of advancing programs that support older Iowans and their families.”

Wagler has spent the last 20+ years working on community development efforts across the state of Iowa. He has been with the Main Street Iowa program since 2002, which serves under the auspices of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) in Governor Kim Reynolds’ Administration. In this role, Michael led the coordination of technical assistance and grants for over 50 local community development nonprofits across Iowa, which work on strengthening local economies, placemaking, and neighborhood revitalization projects.

In addition to leading Main Street Iowa, he has served as a consultant to clients across the country by assisting with strategy development and fundraising strategies for arts, transportation, and economic development nonprofits. He currently serves on the Main Street America Board of Directors where he advises on the development of state and federal advocacy priorities for Main Street. Locally, he is the current President of Varsity Cinema + Des Moines Film, which oversaw the rehabilitation and reopening of Des Moines’ historic Varsity Theater.

He has been a caregiver for both his parents, which has led him to care passionately about the journey of caregivers and to get more actively involved with organizations that support caregivers in the community. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design and a Master’s in Community and Regional Planning from Iowa State University. When he's not pedaling Central Iowa’s bike trails, you'll find him at the Varsity Cinema, enjoying a movie with his family.