Alethea Caldwell: DHS head a powerful agent for change. (Arizona Department of Health Services) (Profile)

Packed into a petite body in top physical condition is a catalyst for change -- a catalyst that is expected to overhaul the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Alethea Caldwell, who was appointed director of DHS by Gov. Fife Symington last August, has all the ingredients necessary to effect change.

She has a tough and demanding exterior, but underneath all that is a person who is compassionate.

"As a manager, I'm always viewed as somebody who tries to make something work well, as opposed to being warm and fuzzy," Caldwell says. "I care deeply. My way of caring is more than being nice; I make sure it happens."

And when she's making things happen, she can appear intense and sometimes even a little intimidating. "If I believe in something, I stand up. I don't waver; I don't roll over. But I also think I'm reasonable."

Although many who have worked under Caldwell would say she is hard to work for, her closest companions would describe her as a loyal and generous friend, she says.

"Alethea brings energy, enthusiasm and vision to her …