OLYMPIA -- Troy Hutson, a long-time health care expert and a leader in developing a sustainable work force, within the health care profession, was named today as head of the Economic Services Administration (ESA), which is part of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

Hutson has served as a policy analyst, legal and clinical policy director, and vice president for the Washington State Hospital Association. Most recently, he was executive director of the association's Health Work Force Institute in Seattle. The institute, under Hutson's leadership, has put workers on a health-care career path to ease the shortage of quality workers in the field.

"Troy's personal and professional background gives him a unique understanding of what assistance and support individuals and families need to become self-sufficient," said Robin Arnold-Williams, DSHS Secretary. "Washington state has achieved great success in welfare reform – reducing the number of families on assistance to a level not seen since 1967. More importantly, since 1997, more than 175,000 parents have moved off and stayed off welfare through help with education, job training, child care, and connection with the labor market. With Troy's leadership and fresh perspective, I have full confidence that we will continue on this successful path as well as expand our efforts to support Washington’s low-income families."

Hutson has had a 19-year career as an Army nurse and hospital clinician. He has a law degree from the University of Washington and a nursing degree from Seattle University. He earned a diploma in agriculture in the West Indies.

"Twenty one years ago I came to the United States as a poor immigrant and I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to serve the dedicated staff at ESA and the citizens of this great state." said Hutson. "Ensuring that low-income people have the opportunity they need to succeed is a challenge I look forward to tackling."

Hutson has been a member of the Washington State Adult Education Advisory Council, the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, the Customer Advisory Committee for the state Board of Community and Technical Colleges. He has served in several other civic and leadership roles.

His salary as DSHS assistant secretary for ESA is $110,000.