GOVERNOR NAMES NEW DIRECTOR AND REORGANIZES
HEALTH AND WELFARE, REAPPOINTS DEPARTMENT HEADS

(BOISE) Governor Jim Risch announced today the appointment of Richard “Dick” Armstrong as the new Director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. He replaces Karl Kurtz in the position.

Dick Armstrong comes from Blue Cross of Idaho where he served as Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, a position he has held since 1990. Mr. Armstrong retired from Blue Cross effective June 1.

In naming Armstrong as the new director, Governor Risch said that the state’s largest agency is on the verge of a new era. “I appreciate the seven years of service that Karl Kurtz has given to the state and I wish him well in his future endeavors. We now move forward with Dick Armstrong at the helm who will oversee important issues such as the reform of Idaho’s Medicaid program and making our public health and welfare programs as responsive and efficient as possible,” said Risch.

Governor Risch also signed an Executive Order reorganizing the Department of Health and Welfare. The new law streamlines the structure of the department and puts in place clearer lines of authority. Risch said the reorganization was necessary to improve coordination and communication within the agency and to take care of the most vulnerable members of society.

“This reorganization is structured to recognize the rights and responsibilities that exist within the functions of this agency. Taxpayers have the right to know that funds are being expended efficiently and effectively. Employees have the right to know that we are grateful for what they do and that they have a large responsibility in taking care of people who happen to be in unfortunate circumstances. And the people who receive the benefits have the right to be treated with dignity and respect,” Risch said.

The Department of Health and Welfare is the largest agency in the state, with over 3,100 employees and spending authority for $1.6 billion in state and federal money.

Governor Jim Risch also announced the reappointment of several department heads to his cabinet. Department heads and Division and Commission directors serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Governor reappointed the following:

• Brad Foltman – Administrator of the Division of Financial Management. Mr. Foltman has served the last three years as the Administrator of the Division of Financial Management (DFM). He has been with DFM for a total of 24 years in various capacities. The DFM is the Governor’s budget and policy office and provides fiscal and policy guidance, oversight and management services to state agencies.
• Pam Ahrens – Director of the Idaho Department of Administration. Ms Ahrens was first appointed as Director in 1995 and reappointed in 1998. The Department of Administration is responsible for facility management, including the Capitol Restoration project; procurement; information technology; and other business operational functions.
• Roger Madsen – Director of the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor. Mr. Madsen was appointed Director of the Idaho Department of Labor on January 2, 1995 and reappointed in 1999. In July 2004 he was named Director of the newly combined Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor. The department has 746 employees.
• Major General Lawrence (Larry) Lafrenz – Commanding General of the Idaho National Guard and the Idaho Military Division. He was first appointed the Adjutant General of Idaho on January 15, 2005. General Lafrenz is responsible for the training, readiness, preparedness and management of all units of the Idaho National Guard, and the Bureau of Homeland Security.
• Brent Reinke – Director of the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections. Mr. Reinke received his gubernatorial appointment in May 1997. He oversees the department’s juvenile institutions in St. Anthony, Nampa, and Lewiston and over 24 contract providers. The department has 350 employees and serves about 800 juveniles per year.
• Colonel R. Dan Charboneau – Director of the Idaho State Police. Colonel Charboneau continues his oversight of the Idaho State Police that he began in December of 2002. The director started with the Idaho State Police in 1972 as a trooper stationed in Pocatello. Currently the Idaho State Police has 258 employees in the patrol division and 498 employees overall.
• Olivia Craven – Executive Director for the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole. Ms. Craven was initially appointed to the position in 1984. She began her career as a Probation and Parole Officer and Presentence Investigator for the Idaho Department of Correction in 1976.

Additional appointments regarding the remaining departments will be announced in the very near future.

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