Wayne Salter

BISMARCK – Former Texas Health and Human Services executive Wayne Salter has been appointed to lead the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Gov. Doug Burgum announced Thursday.

Salter has more than 25 years of experience and leadership in human service programs, strategic planning and process improvement to better serve citizens. Salter will begin his role as HHS commissioner on Jan. 22.

Salter served as deputy executive commissioner of access and eligibility services for Texas Health and Human Services from September 2017 to June 2023, providing executive leadership to a workforce of more than 9,000 team members responsible for the administration of public assistance and community-based services and support programs. He previously served three years as associate commissioner for Texas HHS Access and Eligibility Services and 17 years with the Florida Department of Children and Families, including as deputy director of the Public Assistance Division.

Salter earned a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Phoenix and is a graduate of the Florida Center for Public Management at Florida State University.

North Dakota HHS is the state government’s largest agency, with an approved budget of more than $5.7 billion, including federal funds, and a team of nearly 2,500 authorized full-time employees.