After six months without a top leader, the state Department of Health and Human Services has a new CEO.

Gov. Dave Heineman on Monday appointed Kerry Winterer to head the state's largest agency, with 5,500 workers in more than 70 offices across the state and a budget of $2.9 billion.

Winterer said he realizes the job is a big task, and there have been issues and challenges in the past, including those with the Beatrice State Developmental Center and children's behavioral health.

At the same time, the opportunities to make a difference within an agency that affects so many people every day are great, he said.

Heineman said it takes a special person to do a job like this in such a public arena.

The governor conducted his search for a new CEO throughout the Midwest, hoping to find someone who understood Nebraska, the Legislature and how the state's economy operated.

He found in Winterer a CEO with good leadership and decision-making and communication skills, he said, and someone who understands the value of collaboration and who can improve and increase public-private partnerships with providers, advocacy groups and others.

Winterer said his 20 years' experience in the field of health care has given him a strong platform to begin his work at HHS.

He co-founded The Benefit Group Inc., which administers health care and other plans for small employers. He sold his interest in the company, which employed 50 people, several years ago, he said.

He has also twice served as president of the Heartland Family Service board of directors.

Winterer's job as CEO of HHS will be to work with its directors, foster an attitude of teamwork and hold people accountable, he said.

Winterer said he will promote transparency within the department, given the sensitivities of privacy and other legal constraints.

"I want the department to have a focus of being open and responsive," he said.

From a public perspective, he said, the agency has not been as open and communicative as it could be, something with which government always struggles.

Heineman has asked Winterer to look at four areas in particular: the implementation of behavior health reform, the recertification of the Beatrice State Developmental Center, continuing progress in children and family issues, and analysis of the impact of federal health care reform on Nebraska and its state government.

It is the second time Heineman has appointed Winterer, 59, to a state office or job. The first, almost two years ago, was to the Second District seat on the state Board of Education. That district covers Cass, Saunders, Washington, and parts of Douglas and Sarpy counties.

Winterer will resign his office on the State Board of Education, and Heineman will appoint a replacement.

Heineman also looked for someone who can work with the Legislature.

"We want an even better relationship with the Legislature," Heineman said. "We want to be responsive. On the other hand, there are times when we're just going to disagree."

Winterer ran for the Legislature in District 4 in 2006 and was defeated in the primary, coming in third behind Sen. Pete Pirsch and Tony Sorrentino.

The new appointee has held chairmanships in the county and state Republican Party. From 1997 to 2001 he served as chairman of the Douglas County Republican Party, and from 2001 to 2004 he was Second District chairman in the state Republican party. In 2004-05 he was a Republican National Committeeman.

Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop, who is chairman of a legislative committee appointed last year to look into the problems at BSDC, said he had met Winterer on occasion, but didn't know him well.

His hope for the agency is someone who can lead it in a different direction, he said.

"The track record the last four years has been terrible," Lathrop said. "The agency is in desperate need of a good leader."

To have had HHS go six months without a leader has been concerning, Lathrop said. Former CEO Christine Peterson left the position Jan. 2 after serving in its top position nine years, two as CEO.

That Winterer wants more openness and transparency is a good thing, Lathrop said.

"It would be movement in a new direction," he said.

Kathy Hoell, executive director of the statewide Independent Living Council, which works primarily with disabled people, attended the announcement of Winterer's appointment and said her first impression is one of cautiousness.

"He said good things," Hoell said. "We'll wait and see if that really happens."

The issues of disabled people in Nebraska have not been adequately addressed over the years, she said, and services have been cut to their detriment.

"I hope some of those needs will be addressed in the future," Hoell said.

Reach JoAnne Young at 473-7228 or jyoung@journalstar.com.