HHS Region 4 Director's Biography

Chris Downing was appointed Regional Director for Region IV for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on July 6, 2005. He serves as Secretary Mike Leavitt’s direct representative, responsible for guidance and coordination of the department’s policies in the region. The region includes the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Previously, Downing served as the Director of Public Affairs in the Office of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He was responsible for the media and public affairs strategy for the Administration for Children and Families. In this capacity, Mr. Downing coordinated all media activities for ACF headquarters and the 10 regional offices with respect to welfare reform, children’s health issues, refugee resettlement and Head Start, to name a few.

Prior to this, Downing served as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) at HHS. ASPE is the office responsible for advising the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on policy development. The ASPE is also responsible for major activities in the areas of policy coordination, legislation development, strategic planning, policy research and evaluation, and economic analysis.

From 1999 through 2002, Downing served as the Assistant Director for the Genesee Transportation Council, the Metropolitan Planning Organization serving much of Western New York, where he was responsible for all public outreach, media relations, and policy development.

From 1998 through 1999, Downing served as Press Secretary to U.S. Representative Jim McCrery (R-LA).

From 1996 through 1998, Downing served as Press Secretary to U.S. Representative Bill Paxon (R-NY).

From 1995 through 1996, Downing served as a Legislative Aide to U.S. Representative Gil Gutknecht (R-MN).

Downing received his B.A. from the University of Dayton in 1992.

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