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Deb Bowman named secretary of Social Services Department

By: The Associated Press

Pierre – Gov. Mike Rounds announced today the selection of Deborah Bowman of Pierre to be part of his Cabinet as secretary of the Department of Social Services.
"Deb has been a valuable member of my staff, and I am pleased to announce that she has agreed to lead the Department of Social Services," Rounds said. "She has a passion for people and helping the less fortunate, which has been evident in her work and life."
She will begin her new duties on April 10, replacing Jim Ellenbecker, who has chosen to step down after 25 years as the department secretary, working under four governors.

Bowman graduated from Dakota State University in Madison. She worked as governmental affairs manager for US West in Sioux Falls, executive director of ECCO, Inc. in Madison, and a teacher in Luverne, Minn.

Bowman first joined state government in 1991 with the Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities. She later served as a senior policy adviser to Gov. Bill Janklow, and was the first Director of Homeland Security for South Dakota.

She and her husband Randy live in Pierre and have two grown daughters.