Secore new director of Health, Human Services for Beltrami County

BEMIDJI – Becky Secore today takes over a new position within Beltrami County.

Secore, most recently the social service division director, was unanimously approved Tuesday to be the new director of Beltrami County Health and Human Services.

She replaces Mary Marcel, who resigned last year to take a position with another county.

County Administrator Kay Mack said six applicants were interviewed for the position; three internal and three external applicants.

“Becky has some real strong strengths in the mental health and social service side of Health and Human Services,” Mack said. “She did get very, very strong support from committee but I really want to stress that when we interviewed, we had external candidates with some very impressive credentials and background. I think the committee felt those external candidates just served to make our internal candidates shine even brighter. We feel we are under some excellent leadership in Health and Human Services.”

Also in Health and Human Services, the county board voted to approve internal and external job postings for two eligibility specialists, positions directly related to the implementation of the MNsure health care exchange system.

The cost for the two positions is about $109,000 and was planned during the 2014 budget discussions.