Michael Deal is the Executive Director of Southwest Behavioral Health Center, a public agency serving five counties in Southwest Utah. With a career spanning over 30 years, Mike brings a unique blend of administrative precision and strategic vision to the behavioral health landscape.

While serving in the United States Air Force as a Finance and Cost Analysis officer, Mike earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration which eventually led him into the public behavioral health field. Arriving at Southwest more than 30 years ago, he spent his early tenure here as the Finance & Administration Director, overseeing Finance, IT, HR, Facilities, and Medicaid Managed Care. For the past 16 years, he has led the organization as Executive Director, driving its strategic vision, external partnerships, and overall organizational alignment.

Beyond Southwest, Mike is a recognized leader at both the state and national levels, holding various board and officer roles currently and over the years. He was recently appointed as a Commissioner to Utah’s newly created state Behavioral Health Commission. His decades of experience provide him with a profound understanding of the complexities within the social service system, shaping a mission-driven focus for the communities he serves.