Commissioner B. J. Walker
As commissioner of the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Walker is responsible for the provision of human services throughout Georgia. This includes aging, child welfare and child support services. Walker oversees public assistance programs, including the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, the Food Stamp program and Medicaid eligibility. She manages more than 9,000 employees and an annual budget of $1.7 billion.
Walker was first appointed commissioner of the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) in 2004 and led that agency until it was restructured in July 2009. As commissioner of DHR, Walker was responsible for all human services and mental health, developmental disabilities, addictive diseases and public health.
Prior to her current responsibilities, Walker served as Chief of Human Infrastructure in the administration of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. In this capacity, she was the city’s chief mayoral aide for city agencies and departments that serve the human service needs of Chicago’s residents. Walker was responsible for coordinating the efforts of agencies and departments to better serve the city’s children and families.
Walker also served as Director of Community Operations for the Illinois Department of Human Resources, where she managed the state’s welfare reform effort and supervised135 local and regional public aid offices and 5,400 administrative and casework staff. She also was responsible for the delivery of TANF, Food Stamps and Medicaid to over three million clients. Under Walker’s leadership in welfare reform, Illinois earned $38 million in high performance bonuses from the federal government.
Walker served as Assistant to the Governor for Human Services Reform under Illinois Governor Jim Edgar. She managed a statewide human services reform effort culminating int the reorganization of the state’s human services agencies and to the establishment of a new Illinois Department of Human Services.
Walker is a member of Emory University, Board of Visitors, and the National Algebra Project, Board of Directors.
B. J. Walker is married to Thomas R. Walker. They have a son, a daughter and four grandchildren.
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