Arkansas Department of Human Services Secretary Kristi Putnam has promoted Mitch Rouse of Sherwood chief of staff.
Rouse had been the department’s chief counsel since February, overseeing its legal operations. In his new role, he’ll be the primary point of contact for legislators, elected officials, and other state agencies, DHS said in a news release. He’ll also develop and manage special projects across various programs that DHS oversees.
Rouse succeeds Mark White, who recently left DHS to accept a position as the director of the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System. A new Chief Counsel will be named at a later date.
Before joining DHS, Rouse was the director of the Office of State Procurement within the Department of Transformation and Shared Services. Past roles include chief of staff for the agency formerly known as the Department of Environmental Quality.
“I am thrilled to welcome Mitch to his new role that will be critically important in guiding our operations and helping us fulfill our mission of protecting the vulnerable, fostering independence, and promoting better health,” Putnam said in the release. “Mitch understands the important work that DHS staff perform, and he cares deeply about the people we serve. He is a proven leader who will excel at this new opportunity.”
Rouse holds bachelor’s degrees in English and philosophy from Arkansas State University. He earned his Juris Doctor from the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to take on the responsibilities of Chief of Staff, and I’m excited to continue helping DHS move forward in a new way,” Rouse said. “The work we do as an agency impacts Arkansans throughout this state, and I’m honored to play a role in supporting the programs, policies, and services on which our beneficiaries rely.”
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