For Immediate Release:                                  Contact: Colin Manning
Wednesday, January 16, 2008                               (603) 271-2121
                                                                          (603) 361-4459 (cell)

Executive Council Confirms Toumpas to Serve as Health and Human Services Commissioner

CONCORD - The Executive Council today unanimously confirmed Gov. John Lynch's nomination of Nicholas Toumpas of Rye to serve as the state's next Commissioner of Health and Human Services.

Toumpas, the former deputy commissioner, has served as acting commissioner since September.

"I applaud the Executive Council for confirming Nick Toumpas as Health and Human Services Commissioner. Health and Human Services is our state's largest agency and serves our most vulnerable citizens. Nick Toumpas has shown he has the management skills and the heart necessary to lead this department," Gov. Lynch said.

"As Commissioner, Nick Toumpas will work to improve services to people, strengthen our partnerships with community-based agencies and reduce health care costs through innovation.," Gov. Lynch said. "I believe strongly that Nick Toumpas is the kind of leader who will bring people together to ensure the Department of Health and Human Services fulfills its mission of providing quality services to our most vulnerable citizens and protecting the public's health."

Toumpas, of Rye, has served as deputy commissioner since 2002. Prior to his appointment as deputy commissioner, he worked for several private companies, including Digital Equipment Corp. and Lucent technologies and has an extensive business and technological background. He also served in various roles at HHS from 1976 to 1980.
He holds a bachelor's and masters of business administration degrees from the University of New Hampshire.