Veteran state welfare administrator Myla Florence will take over the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation effective immediately, replacing Carol Jackson.
Florence has been welfare administrator and head of the state's NOMADS computerization project since September 1992. Although she will begin moving to department almost immediately, Gov. Kenny Guinn said she isn't getting away from the controversial computer project just yet.
"Florence has agreed to continue managing NOMADS until the system is fully functional," he said.
"That's OK because we're really on the home stretch with NOMADS," she said.
The computer system has an October deadline for federal certification.
In addition, Florence directed the state's welfare reform which has dramatically reduced the number of people on welfare in Nevada.
She said her previous experience in welfare will help her make the transition to the department.
"A lot of it has interacted with welfare programs so I'm really comfortable going over there," she said.
Before her appointment as welfare administrator, she was director of the health division and headed the state's aging services division.
Jackson officially leaves June 23. She has been in state service since 1970 and headed the department since it was created by combining several state agencies in 1993.
"I think Myla will be excellent," she said.
Neither Jackson nor Guinn's press secretary Jack Finn would deny that she was asked to resign the position. There have been a number of complaints about how she treats staff, especially department heads, working under her.
Most recently was the way in which she handled Labor Commissioner Stan Jones, who was unceremoniously booted out of his office with no notice after more than 30 years state service. There have been rumors that Guinn was especially upset by how Jones was treated, but Finn refused to discuss any specifics.
"We will not deny that there have been complaints that played a role in this decision," said Finn. "But the overwhelming factor was Myla's talent and dedication."
Jackson said she is proud of the progress her department made in coordinating efforts with drug treatment centers, Boys & Girls Clubs, community organizations and the community college system. She said she is also proud of her department's efforts along with the mining association to help miners laid off because of last year's drop in gold prices to get retraining and new jobs.
She said she will enter the private sector but has no specific plans at this point.
Florence said her deputy Mike Willden will take over as acting welfare administrator.
Florence will receive $92,914 a year in her new position.