Director's Office

Director Charlie Brereton was appointed to lead Montana’s Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) by Governor Greg Gianforte in June 2022 and subsequently confirmed by Montana’s Senate. Dir. Brereton leads the state’s comprehensive health and human services agency to ensure an integrated, strategic, and transformative approach to serving Montanans in their communities to improve health, safety, well-being, and empower independence. Identifying ways to better meet the needs of public assistance clients and equip them with the right tools to reach their full potential is a key priority for Dir. Brereton and his team.

Key accomplishments during Dir. Brereton’s tenure include securing and investing a historic $300 million from the Montana Legislature to overhaul and rebuild the state’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities service systems; overseeing the successful negotiation and implementation of  Montana’s Healing and Ending Addiction through Recovery and Treatment (HEART) 1115 waiver, which includes tenancy supports, contingency management, reentry services for incarcerated individuals, and authority for certain Medicaid services to be provided within Institutions for Mental Disease; implementing historic Medicaid provider rate increases with the goal of improving access to health care services statewide; redesigning statewide employment and training services for Montanans receiving public assistance to advance their self-sufficiency; building DPHHS’s data management, analytics, and research infrastructure; shifting social services contracts to novel pay-for-performance models to incentivize better outcomes for clients and ensure taxpayer return on investment; and reforming Montana’s system of state-run health care facilities for committed and difficult-to-place populations.

As a result of strategic initiatives during Dir. Brereton’s tenure, DPHHS has also observed positive social services data trends such as continuous increases in adoptions and reductions in the number of children entering foster care, as well as steady decreases in the number of Montanans receiving public assistance.

Previously, Dir. Brereton served as DPHHS’s Chief of Staff and Health Policy Advisor to Governor Gianforte. He has also served as Health Professional Staff for Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and as a Public Policy Advisor in the Washington, DC-based health care policy practice of global law firm Squire Patton Boggs. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The George Washington University.

• Charlie Brereton headshot photograph

Kim Aiken is the Deputy Director. In her most recent role as the Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Kim provided leadership, management, and vision necessary to ensure the department has the proper controls and systems in place to ensure the agency is operating at top financial and operational efficiency. Kim has previously served in various financial roles in the agency, including the financial officer for the Child and Family Services Division, Office of Budget and Finance Chief, and Business and Financial Services Division Administrator. In addition, she previously served as the chief financial officer for the Department of Labor and Industry. With over 25 years of service to the State of Montana, Kim has experience in multiple state agencies and fluctuating funding environments. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Montana. Outside of work, Kim enjoys spending time with her family hiking, rafting, and skiing.

• Kim Aiken headshot photograph

Rebecca de Camara is the Medicaid and Health Services Executive Director. In this role, she oversees the agency divisions that provide physical health coverage, behavioral health and developmental disability services, and senior and long-term care services. Rebecca began her career in human services 30 years ago as a behavioral health direct care worker, advancing to provide case management, supported employment, and intensive community-based treatment services for those with serious behavioral health disorders who would otherwise be institutionalized. Through this work, she experienced firsthand the limitations and challenges within the existing public health system.

In her previous role as a DPHHS administrator, Rebecca gained extensive experience working on high-profile initiatives such as the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission and managing complex projects within Montana Medicaid, such as Governor Gianforte’s Healing and Ending Addiction through Recovery and Treatment Initiative, both historic investments into behavioral health services, all while maintaining the daily operations of a Medicaid division.

• Rebecca de Camara headshot photograph

Jessie Counts is the agency’s Human Services Executive Director, after previously serving as the agency’s Human and Community Services Division administrator. Her previous roles include Senior Manager for Student Support Services at the Office of Public Instruction and human services leadership positions in both Boulder and Denver. With 20 years in public service, Jessie has experience overseeing public assistance benefits delivery, as well as quality improvement and accountability initiatives for Child and Adult Protective Services, childcare, child support services, and various state and local programs. She has dedicated her career to public service and has a deep, personal commitment to serving vulnerable populations in Montana – including by helping our clients reach higher and achieve healthy independence. Outside of work, Jessie enjoys traveling, indulging in new experiences, and spending time outdoors with family, friends and her pets.

• Jessie Counts headshot photograph

Carrie Albro serves as the Chief Information Officer. In this role, Carrie is responsible for modernizing the agency’s IT systems and data asset portfolios. She oversees the operation of more than 180 systems and leads a project portfolio of over 100 initiatives. She provides strategic vision, leadership, and direction for enterprise systems, IT and data governance, architecture, and planning. With more than three decades of experience in information technology, Carrie holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Duke University and has led large-scale program management and technology initiatives at FICO, RightNow Technologies, AOL, IBM Global Services, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Her career reflects a passion for customer service and fostering a culture of workplace collaboration. Outside of work, Carrie enjoys cooking, exploring the outdoors with her family, and cheering on her favorite college basketball team.

• Carrie Albro headshot photograph

Mike Hughes is the agency’s Chief Human Resource (HR) Officer. In his current role, Mike develops the overall direction and administration of HR and related areas across DPHHS. Mike previously served as the HR Bureau Chief for the Department of Corrections. He holds a master’s degree with an emphasis on HR and collectively brings 14 years of experience to our agency. While at DOC, Mike helped drive transformations in HR management and led reform initiatives centered on HR policy, labor relations, and recruitment and retention. Before joining DOC, Mike spent seven years in private sector health care human resources management, most recently serving as the Regional Director of Human Resources for Welcov Healthcare’s west region. Outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, hunting, snowboarding, and being outdoors. 

• Mike Hughes headshot photograph 

Matt Waller is the agency’s Health Care Facilities Executive Director. In this position, he oversees the Department’s nine health care facilities and plays an integral role in steering the design and operationalization of the Laurel Forensic Mental Health Facility.

With over 15 years of experience spanning health care, consulting, and aerospace, Matt is a seasoned executive and transformation leader. Most recently, he was the Executive Director of Transformation at Billings Clinic, leading multidisciplinary teams in patient safety, infection prevention, and quality. His leadership background also includes serving as CEO of a critical access hospital in north-central Montana and directing Population Health at Billings Clinic. Matt began his career as an industrial engineer at Boeing before transitioning to healthcare as a senior consultant for Seattle Children’s Hospital.

He holds an Executive Master’s degree in Health Administration from the University of Washington and a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Montana State University. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Stephanie, and his three sons.

• Matthew Waller headshot photograph

Dr. Doug Harrington is the Department’s State Medical Officer. In this role, he leads statewide public health policy and administration, providing medical oversight to the Department and the Governor’s Office to control disease, promote wellness, and supervise public health surveillance.

Dr. Harrington brings over 40 years of distinguished medical experience to his native Montana. A pioneer in clinical research, he was a member of one of the first heart transplant teams and founded one of the earliest clinical molecular biology laboratories.

Dr. Harrington’s career includes serving as President of the Nichols Institute and as founder and CEO of Chromavision/Clarient. He is the inventor of the Smart Vascular Dx™ (PULS) test and holds multiple patents in cancer cell analysis and cardiac diagnostics.

Board-certified in hematology and pathology, he is a Fellow of the American Society of Preventive Cardiology. Dr. Harrington focuses on using lifestyle and education to prevent adverse health outcomes. Outside of medicine, he is an avid outdoorsman, photographer, and maker of electric guitars. He holds his medical degree from the University of Colorado.

• Dr. Doug Harrington headshot photograph

Natalie Smitham serves as the agency’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In this role, she provides the strategic leadership and fiscal oversight necessary to ensure the Department operates with maximum efficiency through robust financial controls and budgetary modeling. By aligning funding and business processes with the agency’s mission, the position mitigates risk and ensures long-term financial stability.

With over 18 years of experience in state government finance, Natalie’s extensive background encompasses key areas such as accounting, budgeting, procurement, internal controls, cost allocation, and federal grants management.

She previously served as CFO at the Department of Corrections and the Department of Labor and Industry, and gained valuable financial expertise with the Legislative Audit Division and Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Natalie holds a degree in Accounting from Western Washington University. Outside of work, she enjoys camping, weekend road trips, and spending time with her family.

• Natalie Smitham headshot photograph

Heidi DeRoche is the agency’s Tribal Relations Manager. In this role, Heidi serves as the agency’s expert on tribal relations, advising executive leadership on tribal sovereignty, federal Indian law, and the policy implications of state actions. She oversees the Office of American Indian Health (OAIH) and leads formal consultations with Montana’s eight federally recognized tribal governments, Urban Indian Organizations, and the Indian Health Service.

With over 10 years of experience in Montana’s education and public health systems, Heidi has held key roles at the Montana Public Health Institute, the Office of Public Instruction, and the Heart Butte School District. Her career is dedicated to addressing health disparities through culturally grounded, partnership-driven approaches.

Heidi holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Montana–Western and a Master of Health Administration from Montana State University–Billings. An Army Reserve veteran and enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe, she resides in Browning with her husband and two sons.

• Heidi DeRoche headshot photograph

Phoebe Williams serves as the Executive Assistant in the Director’s Office. Phoebe has lived in Montana most of her life and graduated from Montana State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration. Her experience with state government includes working 16 legislative sessions as an employee in both the House and the Senate, as well as serving as the Office of Public Instruction’s Executive Office Administrator. Phoebe is the mother of five children, including three boys and two girls. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, fishing, boating, snow sports, and playing basketball.

• Phoebe Williams headshot photograph