[il-talk] Fw: Welcome DHS Acting Secretary Melissa A. Wright

[Robert Gardner]

From: Zenner, Lori 
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2015 8:25 AM
Subject: Welcome DHS Acting Secretary Melissa A. Wright

This email is being sent to DRS providers, advisory councils, advocates, etc.  thanks -lz

 

I am very pleased to announce that Melissa A. Wright has been named Acting Secretary for the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).  Representatives of Governor Bruce Rauner’s office released the news of Melissa’s appointment yesterday and noted that the interim term will be effective as of Tuesday, January 20, 2015.

 


Melissa has been a public servant for the last 27 years.  Serving the Department of Human Services since its inception in 1997 and with two of DHS’ legacy agencies prior to that year, Melissa has served in key leadership roles with both the Divisions of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and Community Health and Prevention (CHP).  Not only does Melissa have the programmatic knowledge and experience, she has also served in Operations as Director of Business Services since 2011. 

 

Melissa began her career as a Budget Analyst for the Bureau of Management and Budget at the former Illinois Department of Public Aid (DPA) in the late 1980s and went on to serve as DPA’s Assistant Bureau Chief in its Bureau of Long Term Care.

 

>From 1990 to 1997, Melissa served in various capacities for the Illinois Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, where she had responsibilities over Budget and Policy.  In 1997, Melissa served as DHS’ first Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities.  From 2008 to 2010, Melissa served respective terms as:  Director of Operations (Community Health and Prevention), State-Operated Developmental Center Specialist (DDD), and Assistant Center Director for Jacksonville Developmental Center.

 

Melissa is originally from Godfrey, Illinois.  She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois, and she has completed coursework at Southern Illinois University and the St. Louis University School of Law.  Melissa has two adult daughters and two beautiful granddaughters.

 

I have appreciated working with Melissa Wright as a member of DHS’ Executive Team for the past five years, and she is an excellent choice for Acting Secretary.  Please help me in welcoming Melissa Wright and wishing her much success in her new post.

 

Sincerely yours,

Michelle R.B. Saddler

 

 

Michelle R.B. Saddler

Secretary

Illinois Department of Human Services

 
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