Jack Shinnock – Chair

Jack Shinnock was elected to the Board in January 2017. As a member the Board, he was elected Vice-Chair in January 26, 2019 and Chair November 5, 2020.  Jack brings to the Board 30 years of legal experience, having taken early retirement in 2002 as Associate General Counsel with American Electric Power, an electric utility holding company. Jack was responsible for litigation in seven states, handling cases on public liability and breach of contract. He also served as Chief Counsel for energy delivery, providing legal service to customer operations, transmission and distribution business units.

In the ensuing 15 years of restructuring his life, Jack developed a second career as a scuba diving instructor and learned to play golf. He enjoys travel, hiking and kayaking. There are over 400 units in the National Park System, 59 of which are designated National Parks; he visited his 59th and last National Park in the summer of 2016.

One of Jack’s many passions is public service. For his community of Westerville, he has been of service by volunteering as a member of the Traffic Commission and then on the Board of Zoning Appeals, which he also chaired. He also served on the Advisory Board and Senior Association Board of the Westerville Senior Center for nine years, the last four as president. He currently serves on the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board for Westerville’s Parks & Recreation Department. And in 2018 he will be president of the Westerville Public Library Board of Trustees.

Another passion is being outdoors and supporting efforts to sustain wildlife. To that end, he is on the volunteer dive team for the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, where he helps feed the fish and clean the reef. And he is a docent (guide) at the zoo as well, where he provides tours of the various regions.

Jack views NSGA as an incredible asset for older adults, in the US and abroad; and more important today than ever before.