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Governor Mary Fallin named Steven Buck, the executive director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs, to serve as secretary of health and human services on her executive Cabinet.

Buck, who has spent most of his professional career working with mental health agencies and organizations, begins his new duties immediately. His appointment still must be confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate. He will continue to serve as OJA’s executive director.

As secretary of health and human services, Buck will be responsible for about 80 agencies, boards and commissions, including the Department of Human Services, the Oklahoma State Health Department, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services .

Before joining OJA, Buck served nine years as deputy commissioner for communications and prevention at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. He directed the agency’s prevention and provider certification initiatives. Prior to that, he enjoyed a 10-year career with NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. During his tenure, he served in multiple capacities, including national director of state policy, national director of state relations, and executive director of NAMI Oklahoma. As national director of state policy, Buck provided oversight and consultation in the area of public policy development to the 50 NAMI state organizations.