Special Announcement: Bea Rector Selected as Assistant Secretary for the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration

Special Announcement: Bea Rector Selected as Assistant Secretary for the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration

We have completed the hiring process for the Assistant Secretary for the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration. The process included panel interviews inclusive of internal and community stakeholders.  I am pleased to accept their recommendation to appoint Bea Rector to the position effective August 1. Bea has been serving as Interim Secretary since Bill Moss retired in April. We will also be hiring a Deputy Assistant Secretary for ALTSA and that position opened for recruitment this week.

Washington, like every other state in the nation, has a rapidly aging population and the incidence of disabilities among younger populations is also rising. The demographic trends and the challenges that will accompany them are unavoidable. In addition, ALTSA is also in the process of creating and launching WA Cares, the first-in-the-nation universal long-term care insurance program that provides working Washingtonians with access to affordable care. 

With Bea’s guidance we will continue to innovate to ensure Washingtonians with disabilities and those who are aging are able to do so with dignity in the setting of their choice; vulnerable adults will be protected from abuse, neglect and exploitation; licensed and certified long-term care settings are providing person-centered high-quality services; our employees, providers and constituents are engaged, supported through technology; and that we make progress in our efforts to reduce poverty and become a pro-equity, anti-racist state.

Bea has worked in the long-term care field for more than 30 years, including more than two decades with the state. She has served as the director of ALTSA’s Home and Community Services since 2012 where she helped develop what experts consistently rank as one of the nation’s best long-term services and supports systems. During the pandemic, Bea and her team worked tirelessly to ensure access to long-term services and supports for individuals served through Medicaid; to transition patients from institutional settings; and to protect workers and clients from the impacts of COVID-19.

Prior to serving as director, Bea was an Office Chief for HCS and an Area Agency on Aging Program Manager. She began her career as a Home Care Agency Program Manager for Catholic Community Services of Western Washington.

Bea earned a Bachelor of Arts at Alaska Pacific University and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Washington. In her free time Bea enjoys spending time with her husband and two adult daughters. She also rejuvenates herself by traveling and spending time in nature.

Please join me in congratulating Bea on her appointment.

Fondly,

Jilma

JILMA MENESES / Secretary

Office of the Secretary

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

(O) 360-902-7800 / Jilma.meneses@dshs.wa.gov

Transforming Liv

PrintNews BulletinArchivesCategories

July 13, 2022