Montana's Largest State Agency Director Steps Down, Successor Named by Governor Gianforte
Governor Greg Gianforte announced that Charlie Brereton, the director of Montana's largest state agency, the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), will be stepping down from his position on October 30. Brereton is leaving to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. Since 2022, Brereton has overseen significant initiatives within the DPHHS, including a $300 million overhaul of the behavioral health system and the securing of over $200 million in federal funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program. Governor Gianforte commended Brereton's leadership during his tenure. Dr. Doug Harrington, the department's current State Medical Officer, has been appointed as the acting director. Dr. Harrington is a Montana native with over 40 years of medical experience, including work on early heart transplant teams and holding multiple patents in cardiac diagnostics. He expressed his honor in taking on the role and his intention to build upon the department's existing momentum.