Medicaid Directors Elect New Board of Directors for NAMD

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) is pleased to announce the new slate of leaders elected by its membership to serve on its Board of Directors, effective April 1. Stuart Portman, Georgia’s Medicaid Director, will serve as NAMD’s next president. Joining Stuart on the NAMD Board’s Executive Committee will be President-Elect Lee Grossman, Medicaid Director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and Immediate Past President Melisa Byrd, Senior Deputy Director and Medicaid Director of the District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance.

This year’s incoming board brings together Medicaid leaders from across the country, each representing the distinct needs and program structures of their state or territory. The new leadership includes Medicaid Directors from California, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“Determining coverage for millions of people, ensuring appropriate access to care, delivering high-quality services, and keeping programs financially sustainable — that’s the mandate Medicaid Directors carry, and it’s the mission NAMD is built around,” said rising NAMD President Stuart Portman. “It is a privilege and honor to work alongside the dedicated Directors who make that happen across all 56 state and territory programs. These are state leaders who take pride in building programs and who value collaboration, and I am humbled to serve as President in the year ahead to ensure the operational perspectives from states are heard in Washington, D.C.”

Stuart Portman serves as Executive Director for the Division of Medical Assistance Plans in the Georgia Department of Community Health, where he oversees Medicaid and CHIP operations statewide. Prior to this role, he served as Senior Health Policy Advisor on the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance and in legislative roles for Senators Orrin Hatch, Chuck Grassley, and Mike Crapo focusing on Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and a broad range of health policy issues including health information technology and Food & Drug Administration policy. Stuart holds a Master of Public Health degree in health policy from the Milken Institute School of Public Health at The George Washington University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Political Science from the University of Denver. He is a proud native of St. Louis, Missouri.

“Medicaid Directors are navigating one of the most complex policy environments in recent memory—managing new federal priorities and regulations while driving innovation at the state level,” said President-Elect Lee Grossman. “What this moment makes clear is that the collective operational expertise of Medicaid leaders has never mattered more, and I’m honored to help amplify that expertise through NAMD.”

Lee Grossman is the Medicaid Director for the Iowa Department of Health & Human Services. Prior to joining Iowa HHS, he served as Wyoming’s Medicaid Director for two and a half years. He brings more than 14 years of experience in state government working in Medicaid executive leadership and home and community-based services, with a particular passion for rural health care and supporting thriving rural communities. Lee holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Wyoming.

NAMD also wishes to recognize the incredible service of Lisa Lee of Kentucky, who is transitioning off the Board after years of dedicated service as member, President, and Immediate Past President. Her leadership and commitment to the Medicaid community have been invaluable.

“This board epitomizes the best of state and territory Medicaid leadership — insightful, mission-driven, and deeply committed to the programs and the people they serve. I’m proud to partner with Stuart, Lee, Melisa, and the entire board in supporting the work of all 56 state and territory programs,” said Kate McEvoy, NAMD Executive Director.

The new board that will launch effective April 1 also includes:

• Immediate Past President: Melisa Byrd, Senior Deputy Director and Medicaid Director, District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance
• Governance Committee Chair: Michelle Probert, Medicaid Director, Office of MaineCare Services (newly elected)
• Finance Committee Chair: Henry Lipman, Director of New Hampshire Medicaid
• West Regional Representatives:
  • Emma Sandoe, Director of Oregon’s Medicaid Division
  • Tyler Sadwith, Medicaid Director, California Department of Health Care Services (newly elected)
• Midwest Regional Representatives:
  • Meghan Groen, Medicaid Director, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (newly elected)
  • Drew Gonshorowski, Medicaid Director, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (newly elected)
• South Regional Representatives:
  • Emily Zalkovsky, Medicaid Director, Texas Health and Human Services Commission (re-elected)
  • Seth Gold, Medicaid Director, Louisiana Department of Health (newly elected)
• East Regional Representatives:
  • Amir Bassiri, Medicaid Director, New York State Department of Health
  • Greg Woods, Medicaid Director, New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (newly elected)
• Territories Representative: Gary Smith, Director of U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Human Services

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About the National Association of Medicaid Directors

The National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) is a nonpartisan, professional community of state and territory leaders who provide health insurance to 76 million individuals and families through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories. NAMD elevates thought leadership on core and emerging policy matters, amplifies the experience and expertise of Medicaid and CHIP Directors, supports state programs in continuous improvement and innovation, and optimizes federal-state/territory partnerships to help millions live their healthiest lives. Learn more at http://www.medicaiddirectors.org