FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alex Johnston, Chief Administrative Officer
Department of Transformation and Shared Services
The Department of Transformation and Shared Services (TSS) names Jake Bleed as director of the Employee Benefits Division (EBD).
EBD oversees the health and life insurance plans for state and public school employees. EBD serves more than 158,000 members and includes new hires, active employees, retirees, and dependents.
“I am thankful to the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Board for their tireless work to bring forward experienced and knowledgeable candidates,” said Secretary Amy Fecher. “Jake brings a wealth of experience working in state government and knows how to manage a tight budget. These skills will be important as we improve our financial situation and safeguard the long-term viability of our plans.”
Bleed joins EBD after more than a decade of experience in state government. He currently serves as director of the Office of Budget within the Department of Finance and Administration.
“Jake has served as an invaluable resource for not only our Department, but state government as a whole,” said Larry Walther, Secretary of DFA. “On behalf of his many friends and colleagues at the Department, I thank Jake for his tireless service and look forward to the outstanding work he will do at EBD.”
Before becoming budget director, Bleed was fiscal and policy director for Governor Asa Hutchinson and held various roles in the Department of Finance and Administration.
“Jake was an important part of my office,” said Governor Asa Hutchinson. “He has excelled in various roles as a public servant and I know he will safeguard the support EBD provides to our state employees.”
Bleed said he is grateful for the opportunity and looks forward to meeting the challenges faced by EBD. “EBD is a great asset for the state and for our public schools and we’ve got to keep it that way,” Bleed said. “I look forward to working with all involved to keep EBD financially sound, both now and in the future.”
A former newspaper reporter, Bleed is a licensed attorney and lives in Little Rock with his wife, Jill, and their daughters, Claire and Greta.
Bleed will remain in his role at DFA until the end of the legislative session.