Texas Health and Human Services Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Texas Health and Human Services has 10 executives leading key functions including administrative strategy, information technology, financial management, and operational oversight.

Committed to enhancing the well-being of residents, Texas Health and Human Services delivers essential healthcare and social support programs across the state through a robust network of facilities and digital resources.

Leadership Roles at Texas Health and Human Services

  • Chief Financial Officer, Strategic Support & Management Analyst - Heather Rooney
  • Regional Business Manager & Chief Financial Officer - Charles Ago
  • Chief of Staff - Kate H.
  • Chief Information Officer - Sylvia Kauffman
  • Chief Technology Officer - Clark Snodgrass
  • Deputy Chief Information Officer, Infrastructure Operations - Dan Kellogg
  • To The Strategic Advisor & IT Chief Information Officer & Director & Operations Executive - Regina Carter
  • Commissioner Young' S Chief of Staff - Maria Hendrix
  • Chief Technology Officer & Cloud Solution Architect - Max Montaseri
  • Deputy Chief Information Officer, Application Services - Leatha Marr
  • Heather Rooney - Chief Financial Officer, Strategic Support & Management Analyst

    Heather Rooney, the Chief Financial Officer, Strategic Support & Management Analyst at Texas Health and Human Services, manages the fiscal health and budgetary planning for diverse state healthcare programs. Overseeing the allocation of funds across multiple facilities, the Chief Financial Officer, Strategic Support & Management Analyst ensures that financial resources directly support the needs of individuals with disabilities. Heather Rooney conducts rigorous management analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities and operational efficiencies within the agency. By providing strategic financial guidance to the executive team, the Chief Financial Officer, Strategic Support & Management Analyst maintains the sustainability of essential social services. This role involves balancing complex state funding requirements with the immediate needs of campus-based service providers. Through meticulous oversight of fiscal performance, the Chief Financial Officer, Strategic Support & Management Analyst secures the long-term viability of the agency's mission, ensuring that every dollar invested contributes to the well-being of Texans.

    Charles Ago - Regional Business Manager & Chief Financial Officer

    Charles Ago, the Regional Business Manager & Chief Financial Officer at Texas Health and Human Services, oversees the financial operations and business administration for specific regional facilities. Managing the budget for campus-based services, the Regional Business Manager & Chief Financial Officer ensures that local programs operate within fiscal constraints while meeting quality standards. Charles Ago monitors revenue streams and expenditure reports to maintain the financial health of regional operations. By providing localized financial oversight, the Regional Business Manager & Chief Financial Officer supports the delivery of assistive services to individuals with disabilities in the community. This role involves close collaboration with facility directors to optimize resource usage and improve service efficiency. Through careful management of regional assets, the Regional Business Manager & Chief Financial Officer ensures that the agency's financial resources are effectively utilized to support the health and well-being of Texans in every region of the state.
    Charles Ago

    Kate H. - Chief of Staff

    Kate H., the Chief of Staff at Texas Health and Human Services, coordinates high-level administrative operations to ensure agency-wide alignment with state mandates. Managing internal communications and executive workflows, the Chief of Staff facilitates decision-making processes that impact the delivery of social services across Texas. Kate H. bridges the gap between departmental leadership and the Commissioner, ensuring that policy objectives translate into actionable programs for individuals with disabilities. By streamlining organizational protocols, the Chief of Staff optimizes resource allocation within the El Paso State Supported Living Center and other campus-based facilities. This leadership role requires constant collaboration with the broader executive team to maintain operational efficiency. Through rigorous oversight of agency priorities, the Chief of Staff drives the mission of providing accessible support to Texans with diverse needs, ultimately strengthening the administrative foundation of the entire state government agency.

    Sylvia Kauffman - Chief Information Officer

    Sylvia Kauffman, the Chief Information Officer at Texas Health and Human Services, directs the digital transformation of state-managed healthcare and social service platforms. Overseeing the integration of complex data systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures that information technology infrastructure supports the delivery of critical services to Texans. Sylvia Kauffman manages the security and accessibility of online resources available at hhs.texas.gov, protecting sensitive data while improving user engagement. By aligning technological investments with the agency's mission, the Chief Information Officer enables seamless communication between regional facilities and central administration. This role involves constant evaluation of emerging digital tools to enhance the efficiency of campus-based support programs. Through strategic planning and robust system architecture, the Chief Information Officer secures the technological future of the agency, ensuring that all digital initiatives directly improve the quality of care provided to individuals with disabilities throughout the state.
    Sylvia Kauffman

    Clark Snodgrass - Chief Technology Officer

    Clark Snodgrass, the Chief Technology Officer at Texas Health and Human Services, architects the technical framework necessary for modernizing state-wide social service delivery. Focusing on the implementation of scalable software solutions, the Chief Technology Officer supports the operational requirements of facilities like the El Paso State Supported Living Center. Clark Snodgrass evaluates new hardware and software deployments to ensure compatibility with existing healthcare management systems. By fostering innovation within the IT department, the Chief Technology Officer improves the speed and reliability of services for Texans requiring assistive support. This leadership position involves close coordination with other C-suite members to align technical capabilities with long-term agency goals. Through the deployment of advanced diagnostic and management tools, the Chief Technology Officer enhances the overall effectiveness of the agency's network, ensuring that technology remains a primary driver of improved health outcomes and operational excellence across all regional programs.
    Clark Snodgrass

    Dan Kellogg - Deputy Chief Information Officer, Infrastructure Operations

    Dan Kellogg, the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Infrastructure Operations at Texas Health and Human Services, maintains the physical and virtual hardware environments that sustain state-wide service delivery. Overseeing the stability of data centers and network connectivity, the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Infrastructure Operations ensures that regional facilities remain operational at all times. Dan Kellogg manages the maintenance of critical IT infrastructure, preventing downtime for essential healthcare and social service programs. By optimizing server performance and network security, the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Infrastructure Operations supports the seamless flow of information between the agency and the public. This role requires constant monitoring of infrastructure health to meet the high demands of state-managed facilities. Through proactive management of technical assets, the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Infrastructure Operations guarantees that the agency's digital backbone remains resilient, reliable, and capable of supporting the diverse needs of Texans across the entire state.

    Regina Carter - To The Strategic Advisor & IT Chief Information Officer & Director & Operations Executive

    Regina Carter, the To The Strategic Advisor & IT Chief Information Officer & Director & Operations Executive at Texas Health and Human Services, aligns complex operational workflows with overarching information technology strategies. Serving as a bridge between executive leadership and technical teams, the To The Strategic Advisor & IT Chief Information Officer & Director & Operations Executive ensures that operational goals drive IT development. Regina Carter oversees the implementation of cross-functional projects that improve service delivery at state-supported living centers. By analyzing operational data, the To The Strategic Advisor & IT Chief Information Officer & Director & Operations Executive identifies bottlenecks and implements solutions to enhance agency productivity. This role involves coordinating with various departments to ensure that technology serves the practical needs of staff and clients alike. Through strategic oversight of both operations and IT, the To The Strategic Advisor & IT Chief Information Officer & Director & Operations Executive drives continuous improvement across the agency's diverse service network.

    Maria Hendrix - Commissioner Young' S Chief of Staff

    Maria Hendrix, the Commissioner Young' S Chief of Staff at Texas Health and Human Services, manages the executive office priorities and facilitates communication between the Commissioner and agency leadership. Overseeing the daily agenda of the Commissioner, the Commissioner Young' S Chief of Staff ensures that strategic initiatives receive the necessary attention and resources. Maria Hendrix coordinates with department heads to track progress on key healthcare and social service programs. By managing the flow of information and policy recommendations, the Commissioner Young' S Chief of Staff enables the Commissioner to make informed decisions that impact the entire state. This role involves navigating complex administrative landscapes to ensure that the agency's mission remains the primary focus of all executive actions. Through dedicated support and organizational management, the Commissioner Young' S Chief of Staff maintains the cohesion of the leadership team, ensuring that the agency effectively serves Texans with diverse needs.

    Max Montaseri - Chief Technology Officer & Cloud Solution Architect

    Max Montaseri, the Chief Technology Officer & Cloud Solution Architect at Texas Health and Human Services, designs and implements cloud-based infrastructure to enhance the scalability of agency services. Overseeing the migration of legacy systems to modern cloud environments, the Chief Technology Officer & Cloud Solution Architect improves the accessibility of digital resources for Texans. Max Montaseri architects secure and efficient cloud solutions that support the data-intensive needs of healthcare and social service programs. By leveraging cloud technology, the Chief Technology Officer & Cloud Solution Architect enables the agency to respond rapidly to changing service demands. This role involves evaluating cloud service providers and ensuring that all deployments comply with state security standards. Through the strategic application of cloud architecture, the Chief Technology Officer & Cloud Solution Architect drives the modernization of the agency's technical landscape, ensuring that digital services remain robust, flexible, and highly available for all residents.

    Leatha Marr - Deputy Chief Information Officer, Application Services

    Leatha Marr, the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Application Services at Texas Health and Human Services, manages the development and maintenance of software applications used across the agency. Overseeing the lifecycle of critical service platforms, the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Application Services ensures that software tools meet the functional requirements of healthcare and social service staff. Leatha Marr coordinates with development teams to deploy updates that improve the user experience for both employees and the public. By focusing on application performance and reliability, the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Application Services supports the efficient delivery of services to individuals with disabilities. This role involves balancing the need for new features with the requirement for system stability and security. Through the effective management of application services, the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Application Services ensures that the agency's software ecosystem remains a powerful tool for achieving its mission of supporting Texans.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Texas Health and Human Services Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Texas Health and Human Services?
    Texas Health and Human Services is led by Heather Rooney (Chief Financial Officer, Strategic Support & Management Analyst), along with executives such as Charles Ago (Regional Business Manager & Chief Financial Officer) and Kate H. (Chief of Staff).
    Who is part of Texas Health and Human Services’s executive team?
    The executive team of Texas Health and Human Services includes leaders such as Heather Rooney (Chief Financial Officer, Strategic Support & Management Analyst), Charles Ago (Regional Business Manager & Chief Financial Officer), Kate H. (Chief of Staff) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Texas Health and Human Services have?
    Texas Health and Human Services has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Texas Health and Human Services’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Texas Health and Human Services includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Strategic Support & Management Analyst, Regional Business Manager & Chief Financial Officer, Chief of Staff, Chief Information Officer, Chief Technology Officer.