I was fortunate in December 2003, upon appointment to Commissioner, that I had Bob Labbe working as a resource in the department to facilitate a smooth transition from one administration to the next. Appointed Deputy Commissioner in January 2004, Bob has played a critical role in helping set a course for the future of DHSS.
Today, however, I want to share Bob's announcement that after nine years with DHSS he is retiring, effective June 1. Bob's untiring efforts in Medicaid reform and refinancing have proven invaluable to this department. Bob was instrumental in the development of enhanced working relationships with the Alaska Native tribal health system to encourage the provision of Medicaid services. In addition, his insight on the inner workings of the department, and how to improve and find efficiencies while retaining services, have helped us continue to accomplish our mission during challenging financial times.
We will miss Bob - but we wish him well in his retirement. Bob was appointed DHSS Deputy Commissioner January, 2003, and had served as Director of the Division of Medical Assistance since 1995. Bob has provided over 35 years in public service in Alaska, Texas and Oregon.
I am pleased to announce that Tony Lombardo, Director of the Division of Public Assistance, has been appointed DHSS Deputy Commissioner starting June 1. This appointment will allow for a seamless transition in the leadership of the department, both within the Commissioner's office and the Division of Public Assistance.
Tony has served as Director of the Division of Public Assistance since February, 2003. Under Tony's direction, the Division has worked at streamlining operations under the Quality Initiative. This initiative has helped implement outcome-based planning and facilitate two-way communication within the Division. In October the Division kicked off the "Better Than Average!" campaign to reduce the food stamp error rate below the national average of seven percent - which Tony fully expects the Division to accomplish by September 2004. Since the campaign began in October, the statewide average has dropped to 10.7 percent.
Tony has also been instrumental in instituting performance-based contracting, which provides incentives for contractors to meet federally-mandated requirements for funding.
Prior to serving in his position at DHSS, Tony served as Director for Advocacy at Covenant House, a non-profit agency serving homeless and at-risk youth in Anchorage; he was in private law practice for five years. In addition, Tony worked for ten years as an attorney with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Tony is a graduate of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and a graduate of Willamette University Law School.
A search is underway to fill the Public Assistance Director position.
Joel Gilbertson, Commissioner