Nomination of William E. Mayer To Be Administrator of the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration

The President today announced his intention to nominate William E. Mayer to be Administrator of the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.

Since 1980 Dr. Mayer has been medical director, Department of Health Services, in San Diego, Calif. In 1977-80 he was Chief, U.S. Army Europe Alcoholism Treatment Facility, Stuttgart, Germany. Dr. Mayer served as associate clinical professor of psychiatry, University of California (Irvine) College of Medicine, and associate chief of staff, Veterans Administration Hospital (Long Beach). In 1973-75 he was director, California State Department of Health, and in 1971-73 was director, California State Department of Mental Hygiene. Dr. Mayer was director, Community Mental Health Programs, in Contra Costa, Humboldt, and Del Norte Counties, Calif., in 1965—71.

Dr. Mayer served in the U.S. Navy in 1946-52 and in the U.S. Army in 1952-58 and 1960-65. He was awarded many decorations including the Bronze Star (twice) and the Army Commendation Medal. He was graduated from Northwestern University (B.S., 1943; B.M., 1946; M.D., 1947).

Dr. Mayer is married, has four children, and resides in Coronado, Calif. He was born in Chicago, Ill., on September 24, 1923.