As the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Programs with the Administration on Aging (AoA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Edwin L. Walker serves as the principal deputy and chief career official for the federal agency responsible for advocating on behalf of older Americans.

In this capacity, he guides and promotes the development of home and community-based long-term care programs, policies and services designed to afford older people and their caregivers, and persons with disabilities the ability to age with dignity and independence and to have a broad array of options available for an enhanced quality of life.

A strong and experienced advocate for older persons, he is the primary liaison and spokesperson with Congress on legislation related to aging services and programs. He is recognized throughout the country as an expert on the Older Americans Act legislation, its regulations and policies, and his advice, counsel and guidance regarding the Act are sought regularly by Federal, State and local policymakers, administrators and providers. For more than 25 years, he has been characterized as a consummate professional civil servant who can be relied upon to represent the best interests of the public – and particularly, our nation’s senior citizens.

Prior to joining the Administration on Aging, Mr. Walker served as the Director of the Missouri Division of Aging, responsible for administering a comprehensive set of human service programs for older persons and adults with disabilities.

He received a J.D. degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law and a B.A. in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University.

A proud grandfather, he resides in Fort Washington, Maryland.