Edmond man nominated by Trump for national position

June 30--Lance Robertson, of Edmond, has been nominated by President Donald Trump for the position of assistant secretary for aging at the Department of Health and Human Services.

The nomination is being reviewed by the U.S. Senate Committee for Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. No timeline has been given for when his nomination will be sent to the full Senate for a vote. Robertson, who was nominated on June 20, was out of town on Thursday and unavailable for comment.

Robertson, 46, became director of the Aging Services Division at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services in 2007. He oversees 17 aging programs within the division.

During his time as director, Robertson has dealt with continual cuts to his department, with more layoffs and cuts to programs within the last year.

"Lance has served the state well, and I'm glad to see Oklahomans, especially those who work for the state, be recognized for their skills by our president asking them to serve our country," Gov. Mary Fallin said.

"Lance has been involved with state senior care programs since 1993, and he has worked to see that Oklahoma seniors are cared for daily in a compassionate and impactful way."

Robertson was an administrator for 12 years at Oklahoma State University, where he co-founded the Gerontology Institute and directed a regional professional association, Partnerships for Aging.

"Lance has been a dedicated and compassionate leader of the DHS Aging Services for the past 10 years," DHS Director Ed Lake said. "His efforts to improve services and better the lives of seniors in Oklahoma and around the country have uniquely prepared him for this leadership position at a national level."

Robertson is past president of the National Association of States United for Aging and Disability. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Oklahoma State University and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Central Oklahoma.

He would succeed Kathy Greenlee, who began the position in 2009 under the previous White House administration.

Contributing: Jim Killackey, for The Oklahoman

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