The Connection

Wayne Wilson

Procurement veteran Wayne Wilson has been appointed to the new position of Deputy Executive Commissioner for Procurement and Contracting effective Feb. 1.

Wilson, who has been with the state for 25 years, will oversee procurement operations for all five state health and human services agencies. He describes himself as a simple man whose greatest professional accomplishment is simply serving the people of Texas for a quarter century.

“Wayne is going to do an outstanding job in this new position,” Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek said. “His experience and integrity will continue to be invaluable assets for this agency.”

Before coming to HHSC in 2005, where he has served as associate director for Medicaid/CHIP contract management and director HHSC enterprise contract and procurement services, Wilson worked at the Texas Building and Procurement Commission, the General Services Commission and the Department of Human Services. He began his career as a purchaser in the Comptroller’s office.

Sign up for Get Fit The program that continues through March 23. To qualify for four hours of leave, register at the Get Fit web page.

Gearing up for Get Fit Texas?

The program is designed to encourage employees to exercise in some form for 150 minutes a week, which averages to 30 minutes a day for five days. Those who log exercise in six of the 10 weeks the challenge lasts will earn four hours emergency leave.

Good intentions, a gym membership and some new socks aren’t all the planning you’ll need to begin any workout. Decide on a goal; develop a plan to reach that goal and make sure you are healthy enough to do the exercise you plan in the first place, according to the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston. [More about getting fit]

Late last year, we asked our leadership to share their visions and hopes for the New Year, our employees and the Texans we serve.

We’ve heard that many of you missed the videos because of holidays or vacations, so we are highlighting the links to their messages for 2013.

Message from Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek

Video greetings from other commissioners:

Jon Weizenbaum, DADS

Debra Wanser, DARS

John Specia, DFPS

David Lakey, DSHS

Every other Friday through May, External Relations will provide legislative updates on their intranet page.

The current update includes information on budgets and committees as well as highlights of bills concerning agency business. Highlights of bills that may affect the agency and our employees also are listed.

In addition, External Affairs will offer legislative briefings for staff.

The next briefing is Feb. 8, 7:30 to 8 a.m.

Whether you want to keep up with legislative action and news through the clippings service, follow specific bills through bill-tracker e-mail alerts or watch a committee hearing live, you can find the links on our at a Glance page.

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Test Your Legislative IQ

Quiz

Which best describes the state’s budget process?

The budget always starts in the House of Representatives. Once the House passes a budget, the bill is sent to the Senate for consideration.
The Governor’s Office drafts the first version of the budget and sends it to the House and Senate for debate.
The Legislative Budget Board writes the budget, takes testimony on it, and then sends a final version to both the House and Senate to pass.
The House and Senate each pass a budget bill then appoint a conference committee to work out the differences in the two versions.

Stephanie Muth presents donations to Julia Spann, SafePlace Executive Director.

To celebrate the spirit of the holidays, The Connection publishes photos and stories about how our health and human services coworkers share with others. This week concludes the stories from our coworkers around the state.

• Office of Social Services Supports SafePlace

• Clothing Drive Benefits Patients at 2 Facilities

[More Holiday Spirit]

What I do

As a screener for Community Services, I arrange intakes and make referrals for six counties in Region 2. This includes inquiry and data entry. I reserve meeting rooms for unit staff, answer phones and assist as needed in our office.[More about Teri Turner]