The National Association of State Units on Aging has announced that Irene B. Collins, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Senior Services and Shelby County resident, began serving as President of the NASUA Board of Directors effective Sept. 23. Prior to assuming her new role, President Collins served for several years on the NASUA Board, according to a press release.

Collins serves on Gov. Bob Riley’s cabinet as the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Senior Services. Under her leadership, the state has focused on improving home and community based services. In this effort, Collins restructured the ADSS Long-Term Care Division and worked with the Alabama Legislature to increase the number of Medicaid Waiver clients.

Collins serves on the Governor’s Workforce Development Council, is the Alabama chairman of the United WE Ride initiative, and was selected as one of 30 people in the nation to serve on the FEMA National Advisory Council.

Collins has been a resident of Shelby County for 12 years.