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Michael Duncan has been named to the role of behavioral health services director for Forsyth County, effective Monday.

A U.S. Navy veteran with more than 30 years of experience, Duncan was selected following a competitive recruitment process, wrote the county in a press release.

“Michael’s extensive leadership background and success managing large-scale projects positioned him as the ideal choice to lead the county’s behavioral health initiatives,” Denise Price, deputy county manager and health and human services director, is quoted as saying in the release.

Duncan earned an undergraduate degree in rehabilitation studies from Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) and a graduate degree in rehabilitation counseling/mental health from WSSU. Most recently, Duncan worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs in the role of national project leader.

“I’m honored to join Forsyth County as the new behavioral health services director,” Duncan is quoted as saying in the release. “I look forward to building upon the incredible work already being done to support the continuum of care across our community. Together, we can strengthen lives, foster hope and uplift our community.”

The Behavioral Health Services director role operates within Forsyth County’s Health and Human Services Department, which also includes public health and social services. In this position, Duncan will oversee county funding for behavioral health services, opioid settlement funding and programs such as the Stepping Up Initiative, Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH), substance use health education and prevention, pharmacy and peer support at the library.