AHCCCS announces five leadership positions that have been filled in the agency, rounding out the executive management team and completing the new structure that combines the Division of Fee for Service Management (DFSM), the Division of Community Advocacy and Intergovernmental Relations (DCAIR), Communications, and Legislative Affairs under a new Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Regulatory Affairs.
Marcus Johnson has accepted the Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Regulatory Affairs position. He recently served as Director of State Health Policy and Advocacy for Vitalyst Health Foundation, where he oversaw Vitalyst’s public policy agenda and strategies to support integration of the physical, mental, and social determinants of health. In that work, he has contributed to numerous policy changes in Arizona and is committed to advancing systems that are designed to improve community health. Marcus will join AHCCCS on June 12.
Alex Demyan accepted the role of Assistant Director, DCAIR, moving from his prior position as Deputy Assistant Director of this division. In this role, Alex oversees the agency’s two advocacy departments: the Office of Individual and Family Affairs (OIFA) and the Office of Human Rights (OHR), as well as the agency’s tribal liaison and the federal relations unit. Alex brings experience in non-profits, federal block grants, the behavioral health field, and the public policy realm.
Kyle Sawyer has accepted the position of Assistant Director, Public Policy and Strategic Planning where he will lead the communication and legislative affairs teams. The role leverages Kyle’s experience from his prior roles as the Chief Legislative Liaison and Office of the Director Project Manager, where he became knowledgeable about the numerous levers Medicaid can pull to affect health care delivery system change.
Ewaryst Jedrasik has accepted the position of Assistant Director of DFSM. Ewaryst has been serving as the Deputy Assistant Director of that division since 2021, and brings considerable experience and deep understanding of the unique needs of the AHCCCS Fee-for-Service populations. Ewaryst was instrumental to the successful transition of behavioral health services to the American Indian Health Program from the Regional Behavioral Health Authorities during the 10/1/18 integration.
Leslie Short has accepted the Deputy Assistant Director of DFSM role. Leslie brings five years of service in DFSM as the Integrated Services Manager providing regulatory oversight to the Tribal Regional Behavioral Health Authorities and leading the division in multiple strategies aimed at supporting and enhancing care coordination opportunities. Leslie has a unique understanding of the tribal health care delivery system and how it intersects with the Medicaid delivery system to best meet the health care needs of the American Indian/Alaska Native population.
