Director's Office

Meet the Director

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.

Meet the Director’s Team

Medicaid and Health Services Executive Director

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.

Human Services Executive Director

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.

Public Health and Community Affairs Executive Director

David Gerard is the agency’s Public Health and Community Affairs Executive Director. In this position, Dave oversees the Public Health and Safety Division, the Office of Inspector General, and Community Affairs which consists of the Communications Office, Office of American Indian Health, Office of Administrative Hearings, Faith and Community-Based Services Coordinator, Refugee Resettlement Coordinator, and other strategic community affairs positions. Dave joined DPHHS in 2023 after more than 35 years of service to the nation. Following his graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1985, he served as an Army officer, leading American soldiers on four continents before retiring as a Colonel in 2009. Dave is a nationally registered and Montana-licensed EMT, as well as an active member of the Montana Snowbowl Ski Patrol. His wife, Heather, is a 27-year Army Veteran and former Professor of Military Science at the University of Montana.

Chief Legal Counsel

Paula Stannard serves as DPHHS’s Chief Legal Counsel, and leads the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA). She and the attorneys in OLA advise, and represent, DPHHS and its components on a wide range of critical legal issues related to the laws DPHHS is responsible for implementing and the programs it operates. Previously, she served in the federal government, during two stints at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including as Senior Counselor/Advisor to the HHS Secretary, Acting General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel. Paula’s private practice experience includes over six years as counsel in the Health Care Practice Group at Alston and Bird, LLP in Washington, D.C., and 10 years as a litigation associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom in Chicago. Paula is a graduate of Amherst College and Stanford Law School. Outside of work, Paula enjoys hiking/walking, reading, and making knitted and crocheted items for her nieces and nephews.

Chief Financial and Operating Officer

Kim Aiken is the Chief Financial and Operating Officer. In this role, Kim provides 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 enjoying hiking, rafting, and skiing.

Chief Information Officer

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.

Chief Human Resources Officer

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. 

Executive Office Manager

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.

Staff

For a complete list of staff, please visit the DPHHS agency Directory.