The Douglas County Board of Health today appointed Michael Hill as the Douglas County Health Department’s Public Health Executive Director.

Mr. Hill’s start date is Feb. 28.

Michael Hill is a senior executive with nearly 30-years local public health agency expertise leading significant programs in California, Texas, Florida and Illinois, Hill was appointed during the Board of Health’s Feb.10 meeting, following an extensive, executive recruiter-managed, nationwide search, leading to 40 applicants, four interviewed candidates and Mr. Hill as the finalist.

Prior to this appointment, Mr. Hill was the Health Agency Director for the San Luis Obispo County Health Agency, leading a Public Health Department, Behavioral Health Department, Animal Services Division and the office of Public Guardian, with a $120 million budget, more than 800 employees, serving 280,000 residents.

His nearly 30-years of experience includes both the management of existing public health agencies and the responsibility for the start-up of a new public health agency.

Mr. Hill holds a Master of Public Health from the University of South Florida, a Master of Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Northern Michigan University. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, board certified in health administration and is a certified health education specialist, from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.

“We are extremely pleased Mr. Hill will be joining Douglas County, following a five-month process conducted by a national executive search firm,” said Board President Doug Benevento, on behalf of the Douglas County Board of Health. “We look forward to his leadership moving forward on our shared vision. He brings to us a wealth of experience, a leadership style that builds consensus, and commitment to promoting public health and safety,” Benevento said.