Wayne Salter
Health and Human Services Commissioner
Gov. Doug Burgum appointed Wayne Salter as the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, in January 2024. As Commissioner, Wayne oversees all divisions within HHS, the state’s largest agency operating eight regional human service centers, the Life Skills and Transition Center in Grafton, the State Hospital in Jamestown and the State Laboratory in Bismarck.
Wayne brings a wealth of experience to this role, having previously served as the deputy executive commissioner with Texas Health and Human Services.
In his capacity as the deputy executive commissioner for Access and Eligibility Services, Wayne demonstrated exemplary leadership, overseeing a workforce of over 9,000 team members responsible for the administration of public assistance and community-based services and support programs. His tenure also includes three years as the associate commissioner for Texas HHS Access and Eligibility Services.
Prior to his role in Texas, Wayne served 17 years with the Florida Department of Children and Families, where he held key leadership positions such as quality assurance manager, statewide call center director, bureau chief of program policy, and deputy director for Florida’s public assistance division.
With a dedicated career spanning over 25 years in human services programs, Wayne has consistently worked toward improving the health and well-being of individuals. He places a strong emphasis on professional development and education, holding a bachelor’s degree in management and an associate degree in business administration, and earning the designation of certified public manager from the Center for Public Management at Florida State University.