Health care-industry software maker has new chief exec

Netsmart Technologies, a Great River-based software company, has named a new chief executive.

It's Michael Valentine, a former chief operating officer at Cerner Corp., a health care safety systems provider.

Valentine succeeds James Conway, who is retiring after 15 years as Netsmart chief executive.

“Mike’s background in health information technology will be valuable as Netsmart helps its clients address key emerging trends,” Mark Hanson, chairman of Netsmart, said in a prepared statement.

Netsmart software clients include mental health and substance abuse treatment agencies, psychiatric hospitals, private and group mental health practices, public health departments, vital records offices, and managed care organizations.