Samuel R. Burnett, Chair, Board of Directors

Board Chair

Samuel R. Burnett is a retired public school administrator with decades-long experience in public service. He is currently a researcher with the Optimal Aging Institute of Bowling Green State University, which works on mental health issues.

Sam started his education at Towson State Teachers College in Baltimore, left to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and earned a BS in education at Bowling Green State University on his return. He later earned an ME in Administration from Indiana University. For many years, he served as a public school administrator in the Toledo, Ohio area and then as a school board president.

Sam has served on many boards and committees, including the Area Office on Aging of Northwest Ohio, the National Alliance for Retired Americans and the National Committee for the Preservation of Social Security and Medicare. He is also president of the Kahle Senior Center in Toledo and the Pat Miller Foundation. He was inducted into the Ohio Senior Hall of Fame and given the 2018 Ohio AARP Excellence in Disrupt Aging Award. He also was a delegate to the 2005 and 2015 White House Conferences on Aging.
 

Sam is passionate about multigenerational health topics, particularly grandparents raising grandchildren. He also volunteers time to help address the opioid crisis on middle-aged and older adults.