Executive Director
Zion’s Benefit Services
P.O. Box 217114, Charlotte, NC 28221.
Phone: (704) 714-1505 / 917-837-5173
david.aikensr_zbs@amezhqtr.org
http://www.zionbenefits.org/
Biography :
Having been born in Greenwood County of South Carolina, and raised in the rural town of Hodges, SC, Dr. David Aiken’s permanent residence has been in Queens, NY since 1964. He and his beloved wife, Mary, established a 2nd home in Charlotte, NC in 2012 to best serve The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church fulltime as Executive Director of Zion Benefits Services, Inc. (ZBS).
After graduation from Brewer High School (Greenwood, SC) in 1961, Dr. Aiken enlisted into US Air Force. During his tour of duty, he enrolled and studied Child Psychology in the University of Texas at El Paso. After being honorably discharged from the military, he enrolled at the City University of New York and graduated “summa cum laude” with a degree in Marketing Management. Further studies in accounting, finance and management helped launch and secure sure a distinguished career in the banking industry.
Over a span of 37 years Dr. Aiken was employed by two major New York City based banks with assignments ranging from branch manager, supervisor over a cluster of bank branches and commercial lending officer to the senior Vice President over JPMorgan Chase Small Business Resource Centers located throughout NY, NJ, CT and TX. He retired from the banking industry in 2005.
Having been a life-long Methodist, Dr. Aiken is currently a member of Jackson Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (AME Zion) located in Hempstead, NY, where he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Finance Committee and Associate Teacher for the Adult Sunday School Class.
Beyond the local church, Dr. Aiken has served the AME Zion Church in many leadership positions on Presiding Elder District, Annual Conference, Episcopal District and Connectional levels. Prior to his current position as Executive Director for ZBS, he served as International President of the Connectional Lay Council, Vice Chairman and Treasurer of the NY Conference Board of Trustees, Treasurer for the NY Conference Board of Christian Education, Treasurer for the Harriet Tubman Home, Inc. and many years of service on the Connectional Budget Board.
Dr. Aiken currently renders ecumenical service to the Church Universal as Chairman of the Audit Committee for the World Methodist Council and representative for the National Council of Churches USA on the Ecumenical Trust Board of Trustees where he serves as Secretary-Treasurer.
Service to his community has been a major focus for Dr. Aiken. He has served extensively on not-for-profit boards; i.e., The League Center, which provide services for individuals with psychiatric and developmental disabilities, the Brooklyn AIDS Task Force and Brooklyn Boys and Girls Club of America.
Since 2006 Dr. Aiken has been a member of the Livingstone College Board of Trustees, serving as a member of the Executive Committee, Finance Committee and Chairman of the Committee on Investments. He is also an Advisory Board Member for the Hood Theological Seminary
Numerous service and performance awards have been given to Dr. Aiken. Most notable, on February 9, 2017, Livingston College in Salisbury, NC conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. Other awards include the AME Zion Church’s Bishop James Varick Freedom Medal, Livingstone College National Alumni Leadership Award, induction into the Livingstone College Leaders Hall of Fame, the Lay Council Christian Commitment Award and JPMorgan Chase’s Outstanding Leadership Award (over five consecutive years).
Dr. David A. Aiken, Sr. is the blessed and proud son of the late William Louis and Eula Mae Aiken. Since June 1969, he has been married to Mary Elizabeth Moore and therein blessed with one son, three daughters, four grandsons, three granddaughters and one great grandson.
“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” St. Luke 12:48(b)