Jerry Friedman was appointed executive director of APHSA in September 2001 after a 31-year-old career in public human services at both the state and local levels. Prior to his selection, Friedman was the executive deputy commissioner of the Texas Department of Human Services. In that capacity, he oversaw operations of a 15,000-person workforce providing services to 2 million Texans in 500 offices statewide with a budget of nearly $4 billion.

Before that, he served as assistant secretary of the Economic Services Administration at the Texas Department of Human Services. Previously, Friedman also held positions as deputy secretary, Office of Income Maintenance, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare; director, Bureau of State Children and Youth Programs, Office of Children, Youth and Families, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare in Harrisburg; and director of Human Services for Dauphin County and Northampton County, Pennsylvania.

Friedman began his public service career as a probation and parole officer in 1970. He holds a Bachelor of Social Science degree from Pennsylvania State University. He serves on the board of the Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago and the Faith and Services Technical Education Network and Rural Assistance Center.