RALEIGH — After firing the Cardinal Innovations board of directors, the state is seeking nominations for a new board to lead the agency. That could include someone from Rowan County.

Last month, the N.C Department of Health and Human Services temporarily took control of Cardinal after disagreements with the board about CEO pay and severance packages, among other things.

Cardinal Innovations, formerly Piedmont Behavioral Health, uses public money to provide services for the mentally ill, the developmentally disabled and substance abusers. The state has taken over responsibility for all Cardinal functions.

Salisbury architect Bill Burgin, a member of the organization’s board for some 20 years, was among the board members dismissed. At one time chairman of the board, he most recently headed the compensation committee.

The health department and county commissioners in the Cardinal coverage area — which includes Rowan County — will appoint new board members. The state wants them appointed by Dec. 15.

Anyone interested in serving on the Cardinal board should submit a resume, cover letter and as many as three letters of support to boardnominations@ncacc.org by Monday.

People may nominate themselves. Also, those selected to serve on the nominating committee will be eligible to be nominated to serve on the new board of directors.

Cover letters accompanying nominations to serve on the Cardinal board should include the qualifications of the individual nominee, with specific emphasis on the mandated roles and skills for an effective board, as outlined in N.C. General Statute 122C-118.1.

The Department of Health and Human services and the N.C. Association of County Commissioners will convene a nominating committee with representatives of the 20 Cardinal counties next week.

For questions about the process, contact Sarah Pfau of the North Carolina Medicaid team at sarah.pfau@dhhs.nc.gov.