CONCORD, NH — Governor Chris Sununu announced earlier this week that HHS Commissioner Jeff Meyers will not be seeking reappointment upon the conclusion of his term, which ends January 16, 2020, to pursue opportunities in the private sector.
“Jeff has been a tireless advocate for New Hampshire’s vulnerable children and helped usher in new reforms that are rebuilding DCYF from the ground up,” said Sununu in a news release. “From overseeing our fiscally-conservative Medicaid expansion program to prioritizing key areas of need in our mental health system, Jeff has been a strong voice and advocate for many, and will be missed by all in-state service.”
“It has been a privilege to serve as the state’s health and human services commissioner for nearly four years,” said Meyers in that release. “I am grateful to former Governor Maggie Hassan for appointing me to this position, for the support of then-Executive Councilor Chris Sununu and the other members of the Executive Council for my confirmation and to both Governor Hassan and Governor Sununu for working with me to advance the department during my term.
“After spending the past 13 years in state government as legal counsel to the state senate, legal counsel to Governor John H. Lynch, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at DHHS, and most recently as commissioner, I wish to seek out new opportunities in the private sector. I will begin those efforts after I leave office.”
A search for a new HHS commissioner will begin immediately and interested candidates should send a letter of interest and resume to Governor Sununu’s Director of Appointments, Jonathan Melanson, at Jonathan.Melanson@nh.gov.
“Over six years ago, I came to work at the Department as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. I knew from my time in Governor Lynch’s office of the dedication and incredible work that all of you do. As I worked alongside many of you in my first years here, I saw firsthand how all of you came together on a daily basis to help improve the lives of all those we serve.
In January 2016, then-Governor Hassan appointed me commissioner with the approval of the Executive Council, which included then-Executive Councilor Chris Sununu. I was humbled and grateful for the confidence that Governor Hassan and the Council placed in me. I have enjoyed close working relationships with both Governor Hassan and Governor Sununu and I value their collaboration and their friendship.
Over these past four years, we have been presented with unprecedented challenges involving our child welfare system, mental health and substance misuse crises, and managing our department with scarce resources. We have made real and measurable progress in each of these areas, as well as others. Throughout this time, I have worked to the best of my ability to help address these challenges and to steer the department into the future. I am most proud of our staff and of the leadership team we have assembled.
Four years ago, I agreed to serve as commissioner for a term and my term is drawing to a close. I informed the Governor some weeks ago that I am not seeking reappointment. My last day at the department will be Friday, December 6, 2019.
I leave with mixed emotions. I have formed close professional relationships with so many of you. I will miss working with you and will miss the department. But this is the right decision for me and my family.
The future is yet unknown. I will be exploring opportunities in the private sector after I leave. Over the next number of weeks, I will be visiting all of our offices and I hope to see as many of you as possible.
The department is in very capable hands under the senior leadership of Associate Commissioners Lori Weaver, Ann Landry and Chris Tappan, as well as all of the division directors. I am confident that Governor Sununu will move forward to nominate a new commissioner who will build on what we have accomplished.”
