County of St. Louis, MO Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

County of St. Louis, MO has 5 executives leading key functions including healthcare administration, operational oversight, staff coordination, administrative management, and public communications.

Committed to regional excellence, County of St. Louis, MO delivers essential public services across the eastern Missouri landscape while fostering sustainable community growth and infrastructure development.

Leadership Roles at County of St. Louis, MO

  • Chief Executive Officer for St. Louis County Healthcare - Derrick Melton
  • Chief Operating Officer - Deanna Venker
  • Deputy Chief of Staff - Andrea Harrington
  • Chief Administrative Officer - Judy Ricks
  • Chief Communications Officer - Elizabeth Eisele
  • Derrick Melton - Chief Executive Officer for St. Louis County Healthcare

    Derrick Melton, the Chief Executive Officer for St. Louis County Healthcare at County of St. Louis, MO, directs all clinical operations and public health initiatives across the region. Overseeing the delivery of essential medical services, the Chief Executive Officer for St. Louis County Healthcare ensures alignment with county-wide wellness mandates and regulatory standards. This leadership role involves managing complex healthcare infrastructure and coordinating with regional partners to improve patient outcomes. By optimizing resource allocation within the healthcare division, Derrick Melton directly impacts the accessibility of medical care for residents. Ultimately, Melton secures the long-term viability of public health programs through rigorous fiscal oversight and strategic planning. The Chief Executive Officer for St. Louis County Healthcare maintains a focus on expanding service reach to underserved populations, ensuring that the county remains a leader in regional health equity and operational efficiency.
    Derrick Melton

    Deanna Venker - Chief Operating Officer

    Deanna Venker, the Chief Operating Officer at County of St. Louis, MO, directs the daily functional activities and internal processes required to maintain regional infrastructure. Overseeing the execution of public works and operational logistics, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that county departments meet performance benchmarks. This leadership role involves streamlining inter-departmental workflows to enhance service delivery across the eastern Missouri territory. By implementing data-driven management strategies, Deanna Venker directly impacts the efficiency of government operations. Ultimately, Venker secures operational stability by mitigating risks and optimizing the use of public assets. The Chief Operating Officer maintains a focus on scaling internal systems to support the evolving needs of the county, ensuring that all administrative functions remain responsive to the demands of the local population while upholding the highest standards of public service excellence.
    Deanna Venker

    Andrea Harrington - Deputy Chief of Staff

    Andrea Harrington, the Deputy Chief of Staff at County of St. Louis, MO, directs the coordination of executive priorities and manages the flow of information between departments. Overseeing the implementation of policy directives, the Deputy Chief of Staff ensures that administrative goals align with the broader mission of the county government. This leadership role involves facilitating communication between the executive office and various municipal agencies to drive cohesive action. By managing high-level projects and tracking progress on key initiatives, Andrea Harrington directly impacts the effectiveness of the county leadership team. Ultimately, Harrington secures organizational alignment by resolving operational bottlenecks and fostering collaboration across diverse government sectors. The Deputy Chief of Staff maintains a focus on enhancing the responsiveness of the executive office, ensuring that all strategic objectives receive the necessary support to achieve measurable success for the residents of the region.

    Judy Ricks - Chief Administrative Officer

    Judy Ricks, the Chief Administrative Officer at County of St. Louis, MO, directs the internal business functions, including human resources, procurement, and facility management. Overseeing the administrative backbone of the county, the Chief Administrative Officer ensures that all departments possess the resources required to function effectively. This leadership role involves managing the fiscal health of administrative programs and implementing policies that promote organizational transparency. By optimizing the procurement process and improving personnel management systems, Judy Ricks directly impacts the overall productivity of the government workforce. Ultimately, Ricks secures the operational integrity of the county by enforcing compliance and maintaining high standards of administrative governance. The Chief Administrative Officer maintains a focus on modernizing internal business practices, ensuring that the county remains agile and capable of meeting the administrative demands of a growing and diverse regional population.

    Elizabeth Eisele - Chief Communications Officer

    Elizabeth Eisele, the Chief Communications Officer at County of St. Louis, MO, directs all public outreach, media relations, and community engagement strategies. Overseeing the dissemination of critical information, the Chief Communications Officer ensures that residents remain informed about government services and regional developments. This leadership role involves crafting messaging that reflects the values and priorities of the county administration. By managing the digital presence and public image of the organization, Elizabeth Eisele directly impacts the level of trust and engagement between the government and the public. Ultimately, Eisele secures the reputation of the county by maintaining clear, consistent, and transparent communication channels. The Chief Communications Officer maintains a focus on expanding the reach of public information campaigns, ensuring that all segments of the community receive timely updates regarding essential services and policy changes that affect the region.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding County of St. Louis, MO Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads County of St. Louis, MO?
    County of St. Louis, MO is led by Derrick Melton (Chief Executive Officer for St. Louis County Healthcare), along with executives such as Deanna Venker (Chief Operating Officer) and Andrea Harrington (Deputy Chief of Staff).
    Who is part of County of St. Louis, MO’s executive team?
    The executive team of County of St. Louis, MO includes leaders such as Derrick Melton (Chief Executive Officer for St. Louis County Healthcare), Deanna Venker (Chief Operating Officer), Andrea Harrington (Deputy Chief of Staff) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does County of St. Louis, MO have?
    County of St. Louis, MO has 5 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in County of St. Louis, MO’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of County of St. Louis, MO includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer for St. Louis County Healthcare, Chief Operating Officer, Deputy Chief of Staff, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Communications Officer.