AARP beefs up Florida comms staff

AARP Florida has added two communications experts to its team. The nonprofit membership organization for individuals age 50 and older has added Rick DelaHaya as its director of communications for Florida and Maryanna Antoldi as its associate state director of communications in Orlando and Jacksonville.

“I am excited that we have added two expert communicators to the AARP Florida team. Rick brings extensive communications and leadership experience that will continue to help us advance our mission across Florida,” AARP Florida State Director Jeff Johnson said.

“The common thread in Rick’s diverse career has been a commitment to communicate for social impact, which makes him a great fit here. He will be a key member on our leadership team.”

DelaHaya will oversee AARP messaging across a broad range of communications channels — including paid, earned, social and digital media, as well as within AARP’s publications — to equip and fight for older Floridians as they age. He will lead a team of five staff members throughout the state while serving as lead manager of the Tallahassee AARP office.

DelaHaya brings more than 20 years of experience in public relations and communications. He has held various roles in corporate communications in the energy industry for Southern Company at Gulf Power and Virginia Natural Gas. Since 2015, he led communication strategy on key issues such as environmental compliance, power systems upgrades, crisis preparedness, and storm restoration, including following Hurricane Michael.

Most recently, DelaHaya served as the public relations and media manager for Virginia Natural Gas where he led external communications, media relations, social media and crisis communications for the natural gas distributor.

Prior to working for Southern Company, DelaHaya worked nine years in marketing and communication strategy in higher education at Tennessee State University and Centenary College of Louisiana.

DelaHaya also worked as a public relations manager for Chimp Haven, a retirement facility for chimpanzees that had been used for medical research.

DelaHaya served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, including as senior advisor and communications manager. In that role, he counseled senior officers on communications strategy and led efforts on crises, including during the Sept. 11 terrorist attack, Space Shuttle Columbia recovery efforts, and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Antoldi is a graduate of Fordham University, with bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and English.  She previously served three years with The Walt Disney Co., where she developed visual and strategic employee communication for two theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort as well as business-to-business efforts at Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing.

“Maryanna’s background in writing, editing and strategic communications will be an asset for AARP’s growth in the Central Florida and Jacksonville regions. She has a passion for AARP and the people we represent that really shines through. We are confident that she will help us strengthen AARP’s impact in these Florida communities,” Johnson said.