Mr. Richard Kopanda is the Acting Deputy Director for the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). In his role as Chief Operating Officer of the Center, Mr. Kopanda is responsible for the management of CSAP's internal operations, including resource management and performance. He is also responsible for the development of CSAP's strategic program plans and implementation of substance abuse prevention programs. His permanent position is Deputy Director, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, with a role similar to his current position. Prior to this he served as SAMHSA's Executive Officer. In that capacity he developed budget requests, program plans, and program policies in the area of substance abuse and mental health prevention and treatment. Mr. Kopanda was responsible for the Agency's administrative management program, including information resources, financial management, grant and contract administration, and general administrative services.

Prior to coming to SAMHSA, Mr. Kopanda served for five years as Budget and Planning Officer of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Previous positions include Deputy Executive Officer, Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA); Budget Officer, ADAMHA; and assignments at the Administration on Aging and the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Mr. Kopanda began his federal career as a physiologist with the National Institute of Mental Health, a component of the National Institutes of Health. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in biological sciences from Northern Illinois University, and his Masters of Arts degree in biology/neurophysiology from the University of Texas at Austin.