The Iowa Departments of Public Health and Human Services, which will soon be combined as the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, has appointed Jess Benson as chief financial officer. As CFO, Benson will oversee budgeting and accounting for the largest state agency, with an overall budget of more than $10 billion annually. Benson previously worked more than 16 years as a legislative analyst with the Iowa Legislative Services Agency, specializing in health and human service budgets, budget negotiations, program analysis, publications and strategic planning for the Legislature. “Jess has a tremendous wealth of knowledge of our Department’s budget as well as a deep understanding of our programs and the Iowans they serve,” DHS Director Kelly Garcia said in a press release. “His relationships in the state, and his understanding of the budget process for health and human services will be invaluable as the departments of health and human services become one agency.”