News Release

New Regional Director Named

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced the appointment of Thomas E. Lorentzen as Regional Director for Region IX, based in San Francisco. A long-time California resident, Lorentzen most recently served as the senior advisor to the San Francisco regional administrator at the U.S. General Services Administration.

In his new position, Lorentzen will be Secretary Leavitt's representative responsible for dealings with state, local and tribal government organizations and will promote the Secretary's commitment to state and local health agencies. The region comprises the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada, as well as Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau.

"Tom's commitment, experience and dedication will be valuable promoting the health and well-being of the residents of Region IX," Secretary Leavitt said. "He will play an important role in continuing the strong, effective partnerships between the department and the region's Western states and territories."

Previous positions include special assistant and speechwriter for HHS Secretary Margaret Heckler; a consultant to the Under Secretary of Education; and the associate administrator for Business Development and Director of Private Sector Initiatives at the U.S. Small Business Administration. He has also worked for Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding, Calif., and was the president of the McKinley Group in Las Vegas, Nev.

His appointment is effective immediately.

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Last revised: December 18, 2006