Commissioner

Aaron M. Riley
Mr. Riley was the executive director of Columbus AIDS Task Force (CATF) from March 2003, until October of 2006.  He was directly responsible for the development, coordination, implementation and assurance of all programs provided by the agency to meet the needs of Columbus AIDS Task Force clients and persons living with HIV/AIDS.

In 2004, Riley received three distinct recognitions for excellence in his profession and community leadership: 1) he was one of twelve inaugural fellows selected to join the African American Leadership Academy; 2) he was selected as one of the National Register’s Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals; and 3) he was the recipient of the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless Annual Achievement Award.  Additionally, in 2006, Riley was selected a member of the Leadership Columbus Class of 2007.

Under Riley’s leadership, CATF received three significant awards: 1) CATF was recognized as one of the 2005 Business First Best Places To Work; 2) CATF was the recipient of a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Year 2005 Award of Excellence for leadership in the development of the Central Ohio HIV/AIDS Housing Plan in collaboration with The Columbus Health Department; and 3) CATF awarded the 2006 Spotlight Award for Best Non-Profit Organization.

Mr. Riley previously served as CATF’s Director of Client Services from September 2000 until March 2003 when he was appointed interim executive director.  Prior to joining CATF, Riley worked for the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus, the Community Shelter Board and the United Way of the Mid-South in Memphis, Tennessee.  Riley a native of Memphis, Tennessee moved to Columbus, Ohio in 1997 to complete his undergraduate studies.

While a student at Ohio Dominican, Riley’s academic achievement was noted by his selection in 1999, to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and in 2000, he was inducted a member of Delta Epsilon Sigma National Scholastic Honor Society.

Mr. Riley, who holds a B.A. in Business Administration (Magna Cum Laude) from Ohio Dominican University (Class of 2000), is the Board President (second term) of the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless.  Riley is also the Second Vice-President of the board of the National AIDS Housing Coalition.  Riley’s other and past community involvement includes: member of the United Way of Central Ohio’s Health Vision Council, PAC Steering Committee, Project Diversity Selection Committee, Champion of Diversity Selection Committee, and the Cultural Competency Standards Steering Committee; member of the Central Ohio HIV Consortium, member of the Ohio Department of Health’s Ryan White Care Coordination Council; and a board member of Stonewall Columbus.