A self-employed private consultant in behavioral health, Larry B. Poaster was chosen by  members of the Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Office to be chairman in October 2010.

Poaster received a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 1970. He was director of clinical services for the Stanislaus County Department of Behavioral Health Services from 1970 to 1980 and became its director of behavioral health services in 1980, serving until August 2002.

Afterward, he became a private consultant on health care delivery to government agencies and other public entities. He served as president of the California Conference of Mental Health Directors, twice president of the California Mental Health Directors Association, and president of the Board of Directors of the California Institute of Mental Health. Poaster joined the commission in 2007 and served as vice-chairman before being unanimously selected for the top post. The position is unsalaried and does not require confirmation by the state Senate.

State Mental Health Commission Chooses Larry Poaster of Modesto as New Chair (MHSOAC website) (pdf)

Larry Poaster (LinkedIn)