Thursday, February 08, 2007
Governor Culver Makes Two New Appointments
John McCalley named Director of Elder Affairs; Dean Learner named Director of Inspections and Appeals
(Des Moines) Today, Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge announced the appointments of John McCalley as Director of the Iowa Department of Elder Affairs (DEA) and Dean Lerner as Director of the Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA).
“I am very pleased John McCalley and Dean Lerner have agreed to serve in these important positions,” said Governor Culver. “Both John and Dean bring a wealth of experience and I am certain both will be excellent Directors of these key agencies.”
The Department of Elder Affairs serves people 60 years of age and older. DEA has two divisions, Policy & Administration and Elder Rights/Home & Community-Based Services, which work to accomplish the wide-ranging goals of the Older Americans Act.
The Department of Inspections and Appeals is a regulatory agency charged with protecting the health, safety and well being of Iowans. The agency is responsible for inspecting, licensing and/or certifying health care providers and suppliers, restaurants and grocery stores, social and charitable gambling operations, hotels and motels, and barber and beauty shops. In addition, DIA staff investigate alleged fraud in the State's public assistance programs and conducts contested case hearings to settle disputes between Iowans and various state agencies.
John McCalley: John McCalley has been serving as Public Outreach Director for AARP Minnesota since 2005. Prior to that, he worked as Public Policy Director for AARP Iowa from 2000-2005. He also founded and chaired the Long-term Care Coalition from 2001-2005. McCalley has served on numerous work groups including the National Governor’s Association Iowa Workgroup on Rebalancing Long-term Care. McCalley was named 2003 Aging Professional of the Year for the Heritage Area Agency on Aging in Cedar Rapids. A native Iowan, McCalley was born, raised and educated in Cedar Falls. He graduated from UNI in 1988 with a political science degree.
Dean Lerner: Dean Lerner has been serving as Acting DIA Director, and previously served as the Department’s Deputy Director. Before joining DIA, Lerner served as Chief Deputy for then Iowa Secretary of State Culver. In that position, he was responsible for all operations including budget, personnel, administrative rules, and legislation. Lerner’s prior experience includes 16 years as an Assistant Iowa Attorney General where he worked in the Consumer Protection, Special Litigation, Tort Claims and Environmental & Agricultural Law Divisions. He also served as Director of Iowa’s underground storage tank cost recovery program. A graduate of Grinnell College, Lerner then went on to Drake University Law School, graduating in 1981.