Project Open Hand, a provider of nutrition intervention for the critically ill and vulnerable in San Francisco and Oakland, announced yesterday that it has named Paul Hepfer as its new chief executive officer.

In his new role as CEO, Hepfer will be instrumental in continuing to leverage and expand Project Open Hand's relationships with government partners, health plans and providers, private funders, donors and volunteers. As an advocate for medical nutrition intervention, he will further the mission of educating healthcare payers and providers on the role of medical nutrition in health outcomes.

Hepfer has more than 20 years of experience in community health and wellness services. He earlier served as senior vice president of programs for The Health Trust in San Jose and Santa Clara County for 13 years. In that role, he provided vision and leadership for The Health Trust's entire portfolio of services, including HIV/AIDS programming, Meals on Wheels, the Jerry Larson Food Basket, community-based chronic disease prevention and management services, and a wide range of supportive housing programs. Prior to joining The Health Trust, Hepfer was chief operating officer at Via Services for two years and executive director of Wellness and Education for the Pueblo of Sandia Native American Reservation in New Mexico for eight years.