Albuquerque – Governor-elect Susana Martinez today announced the members of the Governor-Elect’s Health, Human Services, and Children, Youth & Families Search Committee. These individuals will work with the transition committee’s chairman, former Congresswoman Heather Wilson, to identify and recommend cabinet officials and other leaders who will reflect the governor-elect’s commitment to ensuring New Mexico’s heath promotion and improvement, equal participation in our communities, and support and assistance for our state’s most precious asset – its children.
The members of the Governor-Elect’s Health, Human Services and Children, Youth & Families Search Committee include:
STEVE KOMADINA, CHAIRMAN
A dedicated civic leader, Steve Komadina is a lifelong resident of New Mexico and served in the New Mexico state Senate. A veteran of the U.S. Navy and a scout leader for over 40 years, he has practiced as a medical doctor since 1970 and served as president of the New Mexico State Medical Society.
REBECCA DOW
Rebecca Dow is the founder and director of AppleTree Educational Center, a nationally-accredited, faith-based not-for-profit located in Sierra. Dow also serves as the secretary and policy chair of the New Mexico Child Care and Education Association, founding member of the N.M. Early Childhood Alliance, secretary for the New Mexico Association of Non-Public Schools, has served as state representative at the national level for the Council of American Private Education and Pre-K Now, and is a founding member and president of the Boys and Girls Club of Sierra County.
JULIE DRIEKE
Julie Drieke has nearly 20 years in health care administration, including 15 years in long-term care administration. Drieke previously served as Quality Manager for the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) and served as district director for Congresswoman Heather Wilson.
JIM HINTON
Jim Hinton has been the president and chief executive officer of Presbyterian Healthcare Services since 1995. Hinton serves as a member of the Presbyterian Board of Directors and chair of the Presbyterian Health Plan Board of Directors and will be serving on the Board of Trustees for the American Hospital Association starting next year. In 2005, he received the Foundation Open Government Freedom of Speech award. Leadership Albuquerque named him “Outstanding Leader” in 2002 and The Health Care Forum named him “One of the Nation’s Four Emerging Leaders” in 1993.
STEVE MARTINEZ
Steve Martinez recently retired after 27 years of service at the State Hospital, now known as the New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute as interim executive hospital administrator. Martinez is a lifelong resident of Mora, New Mexico.
KATHY MCCOY
Kathy McCoy just completed her third term in the New Mexico House of Representatives after choosing not to seek re-election. Prior to McCoy’s service in the state house, she ran a non-profit addressing land, water and development issues in the East Mountains.
STEVE SMOTHERMON
Steve Smotherman is the pastor at Legacy Church. Smotherman is actively involved in the community, state and global care and support of fire and police personnel, Make -A-Wish, Operation Smile along with a multitude of other organizations.
BARBARA LUNA TEDROW
Barbara Tedrow owns and operates a private childcare center in Farmington and has done so for the last 11 years. They serve over 180 children, ages six weeks to 12 years. Tedrow’s childcare center is the only CYFD facility that has the New Mexico Pre-K Grant in San Juan County. Tedrow has been an officer on the New Mexico Childcare and Education Association for the past eight years.
KERRY WEEMS
In January 2009, Kerry Weems ended a 28-year career with the Federal government and held the position of administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as well as serving as vice chairman of the American Health Information Community. In those capacities, Weems implemented the Medicare e-prescribing program, began pilot projects for electronic and personal health records, and instituted a number of landmark payment reforms, including non-payment for certain medical errors. Prior to that, he served in a number of senior positions at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Weems received a Bachelor of Science from New Mexico State University and an M.B.A. from the University of New Mexico.