Governor Kaine Announces Appointments to Health and Human Resources Agencies

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced appointments to agencies within the Health and Human Resources secretariat.

Anthony Conyers Jr., of Williamsburg will serve as Commissioner of Social Services, a position he has held since March 2005. Prior to that, Tony was Community Services Manager for James City County, where he managed community development, housing, social services, recreation, transit and extension. Conyers brings 29 years of local government experience to this position with the Commonwealth.

Dr. James Reinhard of Salem will serve as Commissioner of Mental Health, Mental Retardation/Substance Abuse Services, a position he has held since 2002. Reinhard previously served as Assistant Commissioner over the 16 state mental health and mental retardation hospitals and facilities. Reinhard is an executive board member of the National Association of State Mental Health Commissioners (NASMHPD).

Patrick W. Finnerty of Chesterfield County will serve as Director of the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), a position he has held since 2002. Prior to that, Finnerty was the Executive Director of the General Assembly's Joint Commission on Health Care from 1998-2002. He has been a state employee for 28 years.

Robert Nebiker of Midlothian will serve as Director of the Department of Health Professions, a position he has held since 2002. Nebiker has 32 years of continuous service in state government all related to the regulation of professions and occupations.

Joseph A. Bowman of Richmond will serve as Commissioner of the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI), a position he has held since 2002. Bowman has had 31 years of state government experience in the administration and delivery of vocational rehabilitation, independent living, and education services for the blind, and previously served as DBVI Deputy Commissioner for Services from 1994 to 2002 and DBVI Assistant Commissioner from 1989 to 1994.

James A. Rothrock of Glen Allen and a native of Martinsville, will continue to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Rehabilitative Services, a position he has held since 2002. Rothrock has been a client, a counselor, an administrator, and Deputy Commissioner within the agency over the 35 years.

Ron L. Lanier of Roanoke will continue to serve as the Director of the Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH), a position he has held since April 1997. Prior to that, Lanier served as Coordinator and Manager for VDDHH’s Technology Assistance Program (TAP) from 1993 to 1997. He has served in state government for more than 19 years.

Dr. Robert B. Stroube of Richmond and a native of Newport News, will continue to serve as State Health Commissioner for the Department of Health, a position he has held since November 2001. A state employee for 32 years, he previously served as Commissioner from 1991 to 1994. Stroube received the Nathan Davis Award from the American Medical Association in 2003 as "Outstanding Career Public Servant at the State Level."

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