Following a nationwide search that ended in his own back yard, Gov. Mike Leavitt has picked former Salt Lake County Commissioner Mike Stewart to head the state's Department of Human Services.

"I'm more excited about this challenge than any other I've faced," Stewart said Friday morning. "In Human Services, we will be dealing with some of the toughest problems facing this state, and I think we can do something to solve them."Leavitt said he devoted a lot of time and study to the human services appointment because of the importance of the post. Stewart was competing against qualified candidates from all over the country, the governor said, "and I can truthfully say there is no better person for the job."

Stewart's appointment leaves Leavitt only one top job to fill - health director - and the governor said he expects to make that appointment within the next two weeks.

In a statement announcing the human services appointment, Leavitt said Stewart was chosen for his proven leadership abilities and extensive government experience.

"He has the ability to bring together the department, the private sector, interested community groups and volunteers to meet the critical human service needs of this state," Leavitt said.

As a Salt Lake County commissioner, Stewart administered the second-largest human services department in Utah for 12 years. A former college professor with degrees in constitutional history, political science and public administration, Stewart is known for a soft-spoken, philosophical approach.

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"You won't see me taking a hatchet to the department; we'll be using sharpening tools," Stewart said, adding that the department is one of the best in the nation.

No decision has been made on whether the current director, Norm Angus, will remain with the department in some other capacity, Stewart said. Other staffing administrative structure changes are possible, he said, but no decisions have been made.

One of Stewart's first tasks will be to guide the department's $530 million budget through the legislative process. He said the budget may not provide all the resources that clients and providers demand, "but there are alternative ways to meet our needs."

The new human services administration will be a "collaborative effort," according to Stewart. The primary focus will be on prevention, with an emphasis on efficiency and productivity, he said.

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