Reggie Bicha continues to move around the pieces in the Colorado Department of Human Services. The executive director announced Tuesday that Tony Gherardini is being promoted to deputy executive director of operations.

“Tony is a proven leader who cares deeply about the people we serve and the taxpayers who support them,” Bicha said in a statement. “His military experience and long career in public service have more than prepared him for this new position.”

Gherardini has been ace for Bicha at DHS since he joined the department in 2014. Before that he was a cop and a soldier.

A former Lakewood police officer, his career included two years as a detective investigating crimes against children. He also served as a military police officer deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 and 2011.

He starts his new job at DHS April 3.

Gherardini will oversee the Office of Administrative Solutions and the Office of Performance and Strategic Outcomes, in addition to providing around the clock care for Department of Human Services facilities that serve the state’s most difficult wards.

Those facilities include three regional centers, four Colorado Veterans Community Living Centers, the Division of Youth Corrections and two mental health institutes.

Gherardini joined DHS as its emergency manager in June 2014, before becoming director of the Office of Administrative Solutions in February 2016.

“Since joining the department in 2014, I’ve been continuously impressed by the incredibly professional and dedicated staff at CDHS,” Gherardini said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to a continued collaboration with our employees, as well as with county partners, community advocates and legislators. Above all, I’m excited and humbled for this opportunity to serve the most vulnerable citizens of Colorado in this new capacity.”

Gherardini has a bachelor’s degree (in political science) from Colorado State, and master’s in public administration from the University of Colorado Denver.