Greg Moody, director of the Governor’s Office of Health Transformation (OHT), announced on June 8 that Barbara Sears, Connie Wehrkamp, and Marjorie Yano will join the OHT team to help achieve Governor John R. Kasich’s directive to modernize Medicaid, streamline health and human services, and improve overall health system performance in Ohio.
- Ms. Sears, assistant director of the OHT, will lead priority projects and assist the OHT government affairs team. Before joining the OHT, Ms. Sears represented the 47th District of the Ohio House of Representatives, served as majority floor leader, and chaired the Ohio House Insurance Committee and Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee. Prior to her House appointment in 2008, she served on Sylvania City Council for 10 years, the last four as chair of finance and president of council. Ms. Sears has been a licensed health insurance agent since 1984.
- Ms. Wehrkamp, director of government affairs and communications, will coordinate legislative and communications strategies across the seven state agencies that participate in OHT initiatives. Before joining the OHT, Ms. Wehrkamp served as communications director at New Day for America, a political action committee that independently engaged in the national presidential campaign. She was previously director of government affairs at JobsOhio, communications director at Kasich Taylor for Ohio, and deputy press secretary in the office of Gov. Kasich.
- Ms. Yano, legislative liaison, will assist the OHT government affairs team and provide support on priority projects. Before joining the OHT, Ms. Yano was an associate at Bricker & Eckler LLP, representing client interests with legislators and executive branch agencies. She previously served as the deputy legal counsel and public inquiries officer for the House Republican Caucus and policy advisor to Speaker William G. Batchelder.
“Ohio’s health transformation has been remarkable under Gov. Kasich’s leadership,” said Director Moody, “but our work is not done. Barbara, Connie, and Marjorie join the team at a critical time as we work to implement some of the most comprehensive health system reforms in the state’s history.