Robert Hansen, MS

Bob (Robert) Hansen, MS, the recently retired Director of the Office of Drug Control Policy for the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), planned and directed West Virginia’s efforts in combating the opioid epidemic from December, 2018 through October, 2020. He was appointed to this position by Governor Jim Justice. Bob also served as the Director of Addiction Services for Marshall Health prior to his appointment as Director of the ODCP.

Early in his career, Bob served as Director of DHHR’s Office of Behavioral Health Services, where he over saw the development of community-based behavioral health services throughout the State. He then became President and CEO of Prestera Center for Mental Health Services, Inc. of Huntington, West Virginia, where he managed an annual budget of $44 million and 825 staff members from 1990 to 2012. During that time, Prestera Center became the largest community-based behavioral health center in WV.

Bob has served as a governing board member of Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital, President of the Behavioral Health Care Providers Association of West Virginia, and as one of the first members of the statewide Governor’s Advisory Council on Substance Abuse. He has served on numerous other non-profit boards of directors in the Huntington area and also on a statewide basis. He earned a B.A. from Marietta College, and an M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling from Syracuse University.