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April 26, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Des Moines, Iowa) The Iowa Departments of Public Health and Human Services, soon to be the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced the appointment of a key leadership position today.
Jess Benson will serve as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) overseeing budgeting and accounting for the largest state agency with an overall budget of more than $10 billion annually.
Benson comes to HHS from the Iowa Legislative Services Agency (LSA), where he served for more than 16 years as a senior legislative analyst, specializing in health and human service budgets, budget negotiations, program analysis, publications and strategic planning for the state legislature.
“Jess has a tremendous wealth of knowledge of our Department’s budget as well as a deep understanding of our programs and the Iowans they serve,” said DHS Director Kelly Garcia. “His relationships in the state, and his understanding of the budget process for health and human services will be invaluable as the departments of health and human services become one agency. Jess has the knowledge, skill set and temperament that makes him the perfect addition to our executive leadership team.”
“I’m excited for this new opportunity to continue my service to Iowans,” said Benson. “I have worked hard in my career to build credibility with those I serve, and I look forward to continuing that tradition of trust in this new role with the Department of Health and Human Services.”
Benson holds a B.A. in economics with a minor in business from The University of Iowa.
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Media Contacts
IDPH: Sarah Ekstrand, sarah.ekstrand@idph.iowa.gov, 515-401-7988
DHS: Alex Carfrae, acarfra@dhs.state.ia.us, 515-281-4848
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