Commissioner Taps Michael J. Wilson as Deputy Commissioner for Social Services & Valerie Mielke as Deputy Commissioner for Health Services

May 29, 2024

(TRENTON) - Commissioner Sarah Adelman today announced two new Deputy Commissioners will join NJ Human Services’ senior leadership team to oversee medical and behavioral health services, social services and emergency management.  Commissioner Adelman named Michael J. Wilson as Deputy Commissioner for Social Services and Valerie Mielke as Deputy Commissioner for Health Services.

Wilson joins Human Services after serving as executive director of Baltimore-based Maryland Hunger Solutions since 2013, where he developed and led efforts to increase access to nutritious foods and eliminate hunger in schools and communities. He has worked with state agencies on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Women, Infants and Children program (WIC), including successfully advocating before the Maryland General Assembly for expanded school meals.

Wilson also served as an International Vice President of the UFCW International Union and Director of the Legislative and Political Department, as well as in the U.S. Department of Labor in the Clinton Administration, where he helped to administer the Family and Medical Leave Act and laws regarding minimum wage and overtime. In addition, he served in a leadership role in several local food councils throughout the state of Maryland, including co-chairing the Maryland Food System Resilience Council, which included state agencies, food councils, food banks, and anti-hunger advocates. Wilson has been honored multiple times for his efforts, including winning the 2023 Henrietta Lacks Award for the research and advocacy partnership with the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University.

In his new role, Wilson will oversee the Division of Family Development, Office of New Americans and Human Services’ Office of Emergency Management.

“Michael brings decades of leadership experience and policy expertise that align so perfectly with the NJ Human Service mission,” Commissioner Adelman said. “Michael is visionary and solutions-focused and will be a valuable asset in New Jersey as he has been in Maryland. We are excited to welcome him to New Jersey and to our team.”

“New Jersey is a national leader when it comes to addressing hunger and food insecurity, providing social services and ensuring our newest neighbors have access to vital services for which they are eligible, and I’m excited to continue this great work,” Deputy Commissioner Wilson said. “I’m thrilled to be joining these efforts and building upon this strong foundation.”

Mielke has been the Assistant Commissioner leading Human Services’ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, where she has been responsible for the coordination, administration, management and supervision of the community mental health system, and regulating, monitoring, planning and funding of substance use prevention, treatment and recovery support services.  

Mielke holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairfield University and a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University, and has been with the state for 20 years.

Mielke also serves as a board member of the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors as First Vice President; on the advisory board of the Council of State Governments Justice Center; and as Secretary on the NRI Board of Directors; and she previously served on the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Board of Directors, including as president from 2019 - 2021.

In her new role, Mielke will oversee the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services, which manages the NJFamilyCare health insurance program that serves about 2 million residents. NJ FamilyCare is New Jersey’s Medicaid program. She will also oversee the Department’s work on First Lady Murphy’s Nurture NJ maternal health initiative and will support the Catastrophic Illness in Children’s Relief Fund.

Mielke has also been honored several times for her efforts, including the State Leadership Award from the National Association of State Alcohol & Drug Abuse Directors.

“Valerie’s experience and commitment to the health of New Jersey residents is second to none, and her leadership, compassion and innovative approach have kept New Jersey on the cutting-edge of services, including our innovative naloxone distribution programs and the successful launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline,” Commissioner Adelman said. “As a long valued leader on our team, I’m thrilled to announce Valerie’s expanded role.”

“I look forward to continuing our efforts to ensure all New Jerseyans have as much barrier-free access to mental health, addiction and health care services as possible,” Deputy Commissioner Mielke said. “I thank Commissioner Adelman for showing this trust in me, and look forward to our future efforts to build a healthier New Jersey for everyone.”

Mielke and Wilson join Deputy Commissioner for Aging and Disability Services Kaylee McGuire, Deputy Commissioner for Operations and Chief of Staff Jonathan Chebra, Senior Advisor to the Commissioner and acting Chief Financial Officer Eric Kaufmann, and the Department’s Executive management team:

• Office of New Americans Executive Director Johanna Calle;
• Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired Executive Director Dr. Bernice Davis;
• Director of Communications Tom Hester;
• Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Executive Director Elizabeth Hill; 
• Office of Legal and Regulatory Affairs Assistant Commissioner Gerard Hughes;
• Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services Assistant Commissioner Jennifer Langer Jacobs;
• Division of Family Development Assistant Commissioner Natasha Johnson;
• Human Resources Assistant Commissioner Denise Meckel;
• Division of Disability Services Executive Director Peri Nearon;
• Director of Appointments, Boards and Commissions Adam Neary;
• Office of Program Integrity and Accountability Director Deborah Robinson;
• Deputy Chief of Staff Justin Rodriguez;
• Division of Aging Services Assistant Commissioner Louise Rush;
• Division of Developmental Disabilities Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Seifried; and
• Office of Constituent Affairs and Community Outreach Director Michael O. Young.

Human Services is the largest New Jersey state department, serving about 1 in 4 residents, including one in every two children. NJ Human Services strives to support New Jerseyans living to their fullest opportunity at every stage of life, and to serve people with commitment, clarity, and empathy.