HHS Region 5 - Regional Director's Biography

Maureen Lydon currently serves as Regional Director (RD), Midwest Regional Office (Region V), United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Lydon was appointed by HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt on March 19, 2007. Region V covers almost 20% of the population, and is composed of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

HHS is the federal government's lead agency for promoting the good health of Americans and providing essential human services. The Department focuses on five primary issues: public health, health care, financing, family support, social services, and food and drug safety.

As Regional Director, Lydon serves as liaison on health and human services issues to state, local and tribal government leaders, including governors, mayors and other state and local officials, as well as interest groups and the public; providing advice and assistance, while striving to develop mutually beneficial partnerships. She also leads regional Departmental efforts on a variety of issues to assure efficient and responsible actions in the interest of the public.

Before joining the Regional Director's Office, Lydon served as the Venture Technology Fund Administrator, for Illinois State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka. As Administrator, Lydon led implementation of the new program which committed $50 million in state investment into venture capital funds, which in turn invested in innovative start up companies in Illinois, including health care, IT, resulting in job creation and economic development. During the first two years, the program created and/or retained over 200 high paying jobs in Illinois.

Previously, Lydon directed federal, state and local issues in the Government Affairs department of Nalco, a world-wide water treatment chemical company, located in Naperville, Illinois. Lydon, an attorney, has extensive Illinois government experience including; the Office of the Illinois State Comptroller as Deputy General Counsel, Office of Banks and Real Estate as Deputy Executive Director for Enforcement and the Department of Professional Regulation, including the regulation of health care professionals. She had her own private law practice for several years. She is a graduate of Georgetown University and Georgetown University Law School.

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