LANSING - Michigan Department of Human Services Director Ismael Ahmed announced today the appointment of Stacie M. Gibson of Lansing as director of the DHS Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity, effective Dec. 15, 2008.

Gibson's responsibilities in her new position will include directing and overseeing the bureau's programming and operations. The DHS Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity administers the federal Community Services block grant, the Weatherization Assistance Program and other federal and state funding that flows through DHS to Michigan's Community Action Agencies.

"Stacie demonstrated significant administrative skills as acting director of the bureau," Ahmed said. "Now, as permanent director, her outstanding leadership skills will be a further asset to our agency and to those we serve."

Gibson served as assistant director of the bureau for five years prior to being named acting director in October 2007.

Gibson holds bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in sociology from Michigan State University. She has been a DHS employee for more than 13 years.

For more DHS news, visit www.michigan.gov/dhs. To obtain a high-resolution photograph of Gibson, please call (517) 373-7394.