|
|
|
January 11, 2007
deJongh names Chris Finch to lead Human Services Gov. John deJongh, Jr. today announced that Chris Finch has accepted the position of Commissioner of Human Services. Finch has served for more than 15 years as Executive Director of Lutheran Social Services and while presiding over the largest non-profit social service organization in the Virgin Islands, he has seen the service grown in the areas of residential care, housing, disaster response and outreach programs for children, seniors and persons with disabilities. DeJongh said from Government House on Thursday that Finch has the experience and the personality needed to lead an agency such as Human Services who mission is multi-faceted. “Chris served as co-chair of the Health and Human Services group on the Transition Team and showed his knowledge of the issues and challenges confronting the department.” He holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Texas and a Masters in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Prior to becoming Executive Director at Lutheran Social Services, Finch was the organization’s Assistant Executive Director and serviced as its Hotline/Teenline Coordinator. Finch was a Social Worker in the late 1970’s for the then V.I. Department of Social Welfare. Before coming to the Virgin Islands in 1978, he was a counselor and attendant for residential facilities in Austin Texas. Finch said he was very honored and humbled to have been given this opportunity. “I have worked closely with the Department of Human Services for several decades. It is an agency filled with wonderful people and I am pleased to be offered the opportunity to assist in further improving the numerous services the agency provides.” Finch is no stranger to community services as he holds membership on the board of directors of Our Town Frederiksted and is a member of the Sovereign Order of St. John, Knights Hospitaller. He was named the 2006 Rotary Mid-Isle “Man of the Year.” He has also been previously honored with recognition as St. Croix Social Worker of the year and VI Social Work Pioneer. He is married to Eleanor Hirsh and together they have two adult children: Aaron and Andrea. |
