Commission Members

Senator Julie Raque Adams

Senator Julie Raque Adams represents Kentucky's 36th Senate District in eastern Jefferson County. She is the Chair of the Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations Committee. Senator Adams serves as the Co-Chair of the newly formed Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board. Additionally, Senator Adams is a member of the Banking and Insurance Committee, Health Services Committee, State and Local Government Committee, and the Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee.

Crystal Adams

Crystal Adams, Director of the Division of Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DDID), has been with DDID since 2016 and with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) since 2014. Prior to CHFS, Crystal worked at a community mental health center for 12 years. Currently, she works with state facilities; coordinates crisis and other state-funded programs, as well as the PASRR program; and manages the administration of SCL and Michelle P. waivers. She graduated from Georgetown College with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Sociology and graduated from University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice, with a specialization in Victim and Offender Services.

Whitney P. Allen, Jr.

On August 4, 2021, Governor Andy Beshear appointed Whitney Allen as Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veteran Affairs. Commissioner Allen is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel with 25 years of combined military service. Before assuming his current position, Allen was the Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner of the Department. He is an advocate for veteran benefits and inclusion in the workforce.

Rebecca Pender Baum

Dr. Pender Baum is an Associate Professor of Counselor Education at Murray State University and the owner of Bluegrass Family Counseling, LLC. Before becoming a professor, she worked as a counselor with children, adolescents, and adults at Family Services Alliance of Southeast Idaho. She has been a licensed counselor for 14 years and has served in state, regional, and national level counseling leadership positions.

Cameron Blau

Judge Cameron Blau was elected judge of the 17th district court in November 2016. Prior to his judicial career, Judge Blau practiced as a general practitioner and as Chief Assistant County Attorney in Campbell County, and as city attorney for Silver Grove. In 2010, Judge Blau won Assistant County Attorney of the year, and in 2011, he attained an award in the Protection of Elders at Risk of Abuse in Northern Kentucky.

Terry Brooks

Terry Brooks assumed leadership of Kentucky Youth Advocates in 2005, creating policy solutions for Kentucky's children around juvenile justice, early childhood education, K-12 education, health, child welfare, and economic well-being. Prior to his current position, Brooks spent twenty-five years as a public-school administrator. Additionally, he served as Senior Director of Education Reform for Boston-based think tank Community Training and Assistance Center.

Denise DeBerry Brown

Judge Denise DeBerry Brown was elected Family Court Judge in 2014 and reelected in 2022. Judge Brown currently presides as Jefferson Family Recovery Court Judge. Prior to her time in the judiciary, Judge Brown worked as a prosecutor with the Commonwealth Attorney's Office and as a juvenile prosecutor with the Jefferson County Attorney's Office before beginning private practice. Judge Brown presided over the first Family Recovery Court (FRC) in Kentucky. She currently serves as the Chief Family Recovery Court Judge in Jefferson County and serves on the FRC Executive and Advisory Boards.

Stephanie Pearce Burke

Judge Stephanie Pearce Burke has served in Jefferson County since her election in 2010. She is President of the Kentucky District Judges Association and an Advisory Board member for the Claude W. Pettit College of Law at Ohio Northern University. She presides over Jefferson County's Misdemeanor Drug Court and Kentucky's first Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program for seriously mentally ill adults.

Phillip Burnett, Jr.

Colonel Phillip Burnett, Jr. is a 28-year veteran of the Kentucky State Police. He has held every sworn rank within the agency and was appointed Commissioner of Kentucky State Police by Governor Andy Beshear in April 2021. A Bell County native, Commissioner Burnett attended Union College in Barbourville, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in science and a teaching certification before joining the Kentucky State Police.

Shawn Butler

Shawn Butler has served in law enforcement for 37 years, with 15 of those years as a police chief. For the past four years, Butler has served as Executive Director for the Kentucky Association of Police, overseeing the operation of the association and its employees. Additionally, he is a member of the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council, which provides training to officers in the commonwealth.

J.D. Chaney

J.D. Chaney is the Executive Director/CEO of the Kentucky League of Cities. He has spent more than twenty years advocating for Kentucky’s cities in legislative, judicial, and executive matters. J.D. holds a law degree from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law, a Master of Business Administration degree from Eastern Kentucky University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of Montana. J.D. resides in Richmond with his wife, Colleen, and their two daughters, Adaleen and Evaleen.

Christopher Cohron

Judge Christopher Cohron currently serves as Circuit Court Judge for the First Division of the Eighth Judicial Circuit, which encompasses Edmonson and Warren Counties. Prior to becoming a Circuit Judge, Cohron served as the Commonwealth's Attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit from 2005-2022. Chris has served on numerous commissions and task forces regarding the Courts and Criminal Justice System over the last two decades.

Matthew Cole

Kentucky Commissioner Matthew Cole enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school, serving in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Following his military service, he attended the University of Kentucky. Matt's career began in the automotive industry, where he specialized in contracts and procurement with YH America, Inc., before transitioning to Ruggles Sign Company as Purchasing Manager, overseeing premium storefront signage for multiple Fortune 100 companies. In 2009, he joined the Finance Cabinet and later became Senior Operations Manager for Xerox. In 2015, Matt accepted the role of Assistant Director of Driver Licensing in the Transportation Cabinet, advancing to Director in 2016 and Commissioner in 2020. He resides in Versailles with his wife, Laura, and their two children, Reagan and Alex.

Andrew Cooley

Dr. Andrew Cooley is a psychiatrist affiliated with Eastern State Hospital at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Dr. Cooley obtained his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1987. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry.

J. Foster Cotthoff

Judge J. Foster Cotthoff has served as District Judge for Christian County since his election in 2014. He serves on statewide committees dealing with Pretrial Release/Services, Civil Law Reform, RESTORE, Search Warrant Reform, and the Implementation of SB90. He is a graduate of the National Judicial College's “Leadership for Judges" program in Reno, NV, and currently presides as the Veterans Treatment Court judge in Christian County District and Circuit Courts.

Cookie Crews

Cookie Crews was named commissioner of the Kentucky of Corrections in May 2020 after 36 years with the department. A native of the town of Hardy in Pike County, Cookie Crews began her Corrections career in January 1984 as a correctional officer at the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women. She held many positions including sergeant, classification and treatment officer, and unit administrator. She was promoted to deputy warden at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex. In 2012, she was promoted to administrator of the Health Services Division, providing administrative oversight for the entire medical mission of the department.

Raoul Cunningham

Raoul Cunningham was elected President of the Louisville Branch NAACP in 2004 and President of the Kentucky State Conference of the NAACP in 2014. Cunningham attended Howard University. He serves on the Kentucky Advisory Committee for Help America Vote and was inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2003 for his civil rights activities, which have spanned from 1957 to the present day.

Lesa Dennis

Lesa Dennis was appointed Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) on June 16, 2023 and has more than 28 years of experience with the agency. She has served in a variety of roles over the years, beginning her career as a frontline social worker with the department in Eastern Kentucky. Commissioner Dennis oversees statewide programs in child and adult protection, foster care and adoption, public assistance, child care, state guardianship, and other human services that support Kentucky's most vulnerable citizens. She earned her bachelor's degree in social work from Morehead State University and her master's degree in social work from the University of Kentucky. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to serving vulnerable populations and leading DCBS initiatives that engage families and community partners in a process where every voice matters.

Casey Ellis

Casey Ellis is the appointed Executive Director of the Council of Area Development Districts and the Kentucky Association of District Directors. He is the former Chair of the KCADD and served on the Board of the Northern Kentucky ADD. He has held several local government positions including County Judge/Executive and Magistrate in Owen County as well as sitting on the Owenton City Council.

Kelly Foster

Kelly A. Foster, EdD, is a Kentucky native and brings 30 years of dedicated service to public education in the Commonwealth. Her career has included roles as a teacher, principal, and instructional supervisor, where she has worked tirelessly to support student success across the state. Since 2013, Dr. Foster has served as the Associate Commissioner of the Office of Continuous Improvement and Support at the Kentucky Department of Education. In this capacity, she leads initiatives aimed at fostering excellence and equity in education, ensuring all Kentucky students have access to high-quality learning opportunities.

Rebecca Frost

As the Facility Director for Western State Hospital, Rebecca Frost is the first woman and nurse to be named director in the facility's history. She has a Master of Science in Nursing and a Master of Business Administration with a focus in Healthcare Management. During her time at Western State Hospital, Frost has functioned as a direct care nurse, Quality Performance Coordinator, Nurse Executive, and Associate Facility Director for Clinical Services.

Jim Flynn

Dr. Jim Flynn serves as Executive Director of Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS), where he provides professional assistance and leadership and leads the Association's advocacy efforts. Dr. Flynn served 16 years as Superintendent of Simpson County Schools where he was recognized as the 2015 Kentucky Superintendent of the Year. He previously served as a high school principal, assistant principal, and science teacher.

Todd Gray

In July of 2019, Todd was elected by the KBC Mission Board to become the Executive Director-Treasurer. Before that, he served with the Kentucky Baptist Convention as a Regional Consultant in the West Kentucky region. He also served as Team Leader for Evangelism, Church Planting, and Collegiate Ministry for KBC. He has completed both Masters of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville.

Tyler Green

Floyd District Judge Tyler Green has been appointed by Chief Justice Lambert as a member of the commission. He brings with him a deep commitment to improving outcomes for individuals navigating mental health and substance use challenges in the justice system. Judge Green currently presides over both the Drug Court and Mental Health Court in Floyd County. He also serves on the Commonwealth's Specialty Courts Certification Board and the Judicial Advisory Board, reflecting his ongoing dedication to recovery-oriented judicial practices. His work emphasizes compassion, accountability, and connection to community-based supports.

Christopher Griffith

Christopher Griffith is a Clinical Director at the Christian Appalachian Project and has worked with them since 1996. Griffith has served as President of the Kentucky Mental Health Counselors Association in 2017 and served eight years on the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, two of them as chair. Griffith obtained his master's degree in Mental Health Counseling and his bachelor's degree in Psychology at Eastern Kentucky University. He resides in Paintsville.

Nan Hanley

Nan Hanley is the Deputy Director at the Kentucky Access to Justice Commission. She has worked in the non-profit sector for the past 30 years, including the Access to Justice Foundation and the Office of Kentucky Legal Services Programs. In addition to her duties as the Deputy Director, at the Commission, Ms. Hanley organizes and coordinates both statewide and regional CLE training events for legal aid staff.

Erica Hargis

Erica Hargis is the director of the Division of Probation of Parole underneath the Department of Corrections. Before her current position, Hargis started with the Department of Corrections in 2009, rising to become Assistant Director for the newly created Division of Reentry Services in March 2018. Hargis graduated from Western Kentucky University with a bachelor's degree in psychology and criminology, followed by a master's in justice administration from the University of Louisville in 2010.

Glenda Harrison

Glenda J. Harrison is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Access to Justice Commission. Prior to assuming this position, Ms. Harrison served as Advocacy Director for Legal Aid of the Bluegrass for 10 years. Ms. Harrison attended Northern Kentucky University's Chase College of Law, earning her Juris Doctor in 1982. She graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1972.

Jim Henderson

Jim Henderson is the Executive Director/CEO of the Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo). As the voice for Kentucky's 120 counties, KACo represents the interests of more than 1,500 elected county officials across the Commonwealth. Additionally, KACo provides training and education, insurance, financing services, research and legal assistance, and other services to counties and their political subdivisions. Prior to joining KACo in 2018, Henderson served as Simpson County Judge/Executive for nearly two decades.

Tanisha A. Hickerson

Tanisha A. Hickerson is a Jefferson County District Court Judge in Louisville, Kentucky. Judge Hickerson serves as Chair of the Criminal Justice Commission; member of the Opportunity Network, a program for successful reentry after incarceration; and member of the Charles W. Anderson, Jr. Bar Association. Judge Hickerson earned her bachelor's degree in philosophy from the University of Louisville and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law.

Yvette Hourigan

Yvette Hourigan is the director of the Kentucky Lawyer Assistance Program, which provides confidential assistance to all Kentucky law students, lawyers, and judges with mental health issues. Ms. Hourigan is a licensed attorney, a Certified Employee Assistance Professional, and an Adult Peer Support Specialist. Ms. Hourigan is the 2023-2024 chair of the ABA Commission on Lawyers Assistance Programs. She is a national leader in the Lawyer Wellbeing movement focusing on mental health issues like substance use disorder, depression, and suicide prevention.

Van Ingram

Van Ingram joined ODCP in November 2004 with the mission of coordinating Kentucky's substance abuse control efforts. Ingram served with the Maysville Kentucky Police Department for more than 23 years, the last six as Chief of Police, and was named “Kentucky Chief of the Year" in 2001. He is a certified law enforcement instructor and has trained officers across the state on a variety of topics for Chiefs, Sheriffs, and command staff.

Lindsey Jasinski

Dr. Jasinski has been with UK Healthcare since 2010, serving in various clinical and leadership roles. She has served as Director of Psychology Services at Eastern State Hospital, Director of Substance Abuse Treatment Services in the Department of Psychiatry, and currently chief administrative officer of Eastern State Hospital and UK's EmPATH unit. She completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology in 2010 and Master's in Health Administration in 2021, both from the University of Kentucky.

Lisa Payne Jones

Judge Jones has presided over Daviess Circuit Court, Division II since 2019. She presides over Adult Drug Court and Mental Health Court. Previously, she served on the district bench from 2001-2019, where she served on the Juvenile Justice Task Force, the Juvenile Oversight Council, Juvenile Court and Family Court Rules Committees, and the RESTORE Leadership Team.

William "Bo" Leach

Judge William “Bo" Leach has served as Judge of the 23^rd Judicial District since 2009. Prior to taking the bench, he practiced law with the firms of Davis & Neal, and Davis Law in Richmond and Irvine. Additionally, he was the Chief Assistant Estill County Attorney, a Child Support Enforcement Attorney for the Cabinet of Health and Family Services and was an Adjunct Professor at Eastern Kentucky University.

Lisa Lee

Lisa Lee is the Commissioner for the Department for Medicaid Services, serves as Program Director for the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program, and oversees Kentucky's State Based Exchange, kynect. She has over 25 years of experience with Medicaid and Children's Health programs. Much of her career has been spent in Kentucky government, specifically with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. During her tenure, Commissioner Lee has served in a variety of roles within the Department for Medicaid Services, including Member Services Representative, Director of Provider Services, Policy Analyst, Deputy Commissioner, and Commissioner. Additionally, Commissioner Lee served as the President of the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) from April 2024 to April 2025. She currently serves as the Immediate Past President on the Board of Directors for NAMD, as well as being a member of the Child and Family Health Steering Committee for the National Association of Health Policy and a Health Policy Advisor for the Congressional Budget Office.

Jennifer Leibson

Judge Jennifer Leibson is a judge in Jefferson District Court, where she previously presided over the Mental Health dockets for a period of two years. She was also the immediate past judge over Jefferson County's Mental Health diversion docket. Prior to being elected, she worked for the Jefferson County Attorney's office where she was the Division Chief over the Mental Inquest and Guardianship Division for six years.

Joshua Lindblom

Joshua Lindblom is the Hardin County Jailer and currently serves as the President of the Kentucky Jailers Association. In addition, he chairs the association's Legislative Committee, contributing to policy and legislative efforts statewide. A Kentucky Colonel, Joshua has been an active member of the Valley Creek Volunteer Fire Department for 24 years and is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #40 in Elizabethtown. Before his election as Hardin County Jailer in 2019, Joshua dedicated his career to public service, working at the Hardin County Detention Center and the Hardin County Sheriff's Office. His extensive experience reflects his commitment to the safety and well-being of his community.

Rabbi Shlomo Litvin

Rabbi Shlomo Litvin and his wife serve as directors of Chabad of the Bluegrass, eastern Kentucky's branch of Chabad Lubavitch, the largest worldwide Jewish organization. Litvin and his wife, emissaries of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, also run Chabad's Jewish Student Center at the University of Kentucky. Litvin serves as a Chaplain for the Kentucky General Assembly, on multiple state commissions and boards, and as Chairman of the Kentucky Jewish Council. He also volunteers as a religious guide for inmates and hospital patients across Kentucky. Rabbi Litvin is a graduate of Louisville Jewish Day School and Tomchei Tmimim in Israel.

David Livingston

Scott County Magistrate David Livingston currently serves as president of the Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo), having been sworn in during KACo's 49^th annual conference. David Livingston is in his fourth term representing Scott County's 7^th District. Prior to his role at KACo, he served as president of the Kentucky Magistrates and Commissioners Association. Additionally, he is a member of the KACo Insurance Agency Board and the Unemployment Insurance Board. He graduated Georgetown College is an executive with Houchens Insurance Group. David Livingston is passionate about local government and strives to make a positive impact not only in Scott County but also across the Commonwealth.

Amy Luttrell

Amy Luttrell is President & CEO of Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, which assists people to find pathways out of poverty. Luttrell has served local Goodwill organizations in four states, returning to Kentucky in 2014. During her career she has held leadership roles in assisting people with mental health issues, substance use disorders, intellectual disabilities and those who are unhoused. She serves on the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce board, the Employment First Council, and several other boards and committees.

Cole Adams Maier

Judge Cole Adams Maier is the Chief Circuit Court Judge of the 25^th Circuit, Madison and Clark Counties. Before her appointment and election as a Circuit Court Judge, she was elected to the District Court bench in the 25^th District. Judge Maier is the presiding judge for Clark Circuit Court Drug Court (a certified drug court) and the 25^th Circuit Mental Health Court. She recently served as the Co-Chair for the Specialty Court Certification Advisory Committee and is currently a member of the Specialty Courts Judicial Advisory Committee.

Katherine Marks

Dr. Katherine Marks serves as the Commissioner for the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities. As a behavioral scientist, Dr. Marks serves as a steward of the departmental mission to promote health and well-being by facilitating recovery for people whose lives have been affected by mental illness and substance use; support people with intellectual or other developmental disabilities; and build resilience for all. Previously, Dr. Marks served as the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort Project Director, leading state, community, and organizational-level strategies to address the overdose epidemic. Dr. Marks received a doctorate in Experimental Psychology from the University of Kentucky.

Cora McNabb

Cora McNabb, Executive Director of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, graduated from Indiana University. Prior to taking a state position with the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, she worked in the nonprofit environment for 14 years. She has over 30 years of experience in the field of rehabilitation in the areas of workforce initiatives, management/administration, and grant writing. For most of her career, she has provided direct oversight of employment programs for individuals with disabilities.

Representative David Meade

Speaker Pro Tempore David Meade has served in the House of Representatives since 2013. Meade is serving his third term as Speaker Pro Tempore. Prior to his election to Speaker Pro Tempore, Meade served as House Majority Caucus Chair. Meade is an outspoken advocate for Kentucky children and families, sponsoring multiple legislative packages aimed at improving the state's foster care and adoption programs as well as services to families in crisis.

Amy Hale Milliken

Amy Hale Milliken is the 2022-2023 President of the Kentucky Association of Counties. She attended Western Kentucky University and Salmon P. Chase College of Law, beginning her career as a prosecutor in 1996 as an Assistant Warren County Attorney. Amy was elected Warren County Attorney in November 2004 and has consistently served in the Office through multiple terms. Amy is the first woman to be appointed and elected as Warren County Attorney.

Official portrait of Chief Justice (ret) John D. Minton, Jr.

John D. Minton, Jr. (ret)

John D. Minton Jr. of Bowling Green was elected to the Supreme Court of Kentucky in 2006 and reelected to another eight-year term in 2014. His fellow justices elected him for a four-year term as Chief Justice in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020. He is only the second chief justice in Kentucky to be chosen to serve four terms. Chief Justice Minton was in private practice for 15 years before serving as a circuit judge from 1992 to 2003 and a court of appeals judge from 2003 to 2006.

Representative Kimberly Moser

Representative Kimberly Moser has served in the Kentucky General Assembly since 2017 and has chaired the Health Services Committee since 2019. She founded and served as the Director of Drug Control Policy in Norther Kentucky from 2014-2018, and she currently serves on the Northern Kentucky Drug Control Policy Board. Prior to her legislative experience, Representative Moser obtained degrees from Spalding University and the University of Kentucky. She also served years as a NICU and flight nurse.

Melissa Moore Murphy

Judge Melissa Murphy was appointed to her position in 2020 and elected to the same position in November 2022. Prior to her experience as a judge, Judge Murphy worked as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Fayette County and as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Attorney's Office. Judge Murphy obtained a bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky in 1998 and a law degree from the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law in 2001.

Patrick Padgett

Patrick Padgett is the CEO/Executive Vice President of the Kentucky Medical Association (KMA). Prior to serving as the CEO, Mr. Padgett was the Director of Socioeconomic Affairs/Staff Counsel for the KMA. Originally from Somerset, Mr. Padgett is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law. Prior to joining the KMA staff, he served two tours in the United States Navy Judge Advocate Generals Corps.

Rebecca K. Phillips

Rebecca K. Phillips has served as the Circuit Judge for the 37th Judicial Circuit since 2006. Throughout her tenure, Judge Phillips has presided over Drug Court, establishing a program that has expanded to provide access to Circuit and District Court participants in Carter, Elliott, and Morgan Counties. Judge Phillips is a Special District Judge for Drug Court and was a member of the RESTORE Leadership Team. Before taking the bench, Judge Phillips was in private practice.

Damon Preston

Damon Preston has worked as a public defender for more than 30 years and has served as Kentucky's Public Advocate since 2017. After graduating from Transylvania University and Harvard Law School, Damon began his legal career as a public defender with the Legal Aid Society in New York City before joining Kentucky's Department of Public Advocacy in 1997. He has represented indigent accused clients in twenty-four Kentucky counties and before the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Kentucky.

Brenda Rosen

Brenda Rosen, MSW, CSW, ACHP-SW, is the Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) - Kentucky Chapter. With forty years in the social work profession, Rosen has worked in mental and physical healthcare, taught social work on the college level for 10 years, and considers her advocacy work with NASW-Kentucky Chapter as the culmination of all her social work experience.

Jonathan Shell

Jonathan Shell, a fifth-generation farmer, was elected Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner on November 7, 2023. He and his father operate Shell Farms and Greenhouses in Garrard County, where they raise cattle and grow flowers, corn, and pumpkins. Shell's administration aims to secure a bright future for Kentucky agriculture, focusing on “food, faith, and family." Previously, Shell served as the youngest member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, becoming the state's first Republican House Majority Floor Leader. During his time with the House of Representatives, Shell developed and executed legislative strategies to pass policies into law that focused on job creation and support for farmers. He lives in Lancaster with his wife and their four children, and he serves as Sunday School Director at Pilot Knob Missionary Baptist Church.

Steve Shannon

Steve Shannon is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Association of Regional Programs, Inc. (KARP). KARP is a trade association of eleven (11) of the fourteen (14) Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs), which are the behavioral health public safety net of all Kentuckians. Mr. Shannon has been at KARP since 1997 with exception of two (2) years during which time he a Division Director and then Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities.

Koleen Slusher

Koleen R. Slusher, LCSW, serves as the facility director at Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center (KCPC), which operates as Kentucky’s sole forensic psychiatric hospital. Previously, Koleen served as the division director of behavioral health at the Department for Behavioral Health and Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (BHDID) where she was the co-principal investigator for statewide grants and oversaw the funding and programming aspects of behavioral health services.

Shain Stephens

Sheriff Shain Stephens was elected as the Harrison County Sheriff on May 20th, 2014. He was sworn into office on August 1st, 2014, following the early retirement of his predecessor, Sheriff Bruce Hampton. Sheriff Stephens began his law enforcement career in 1988 as an officer with Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement. In 1994, he transitioned to become a trooper with the Kentucky State Police. During his time with the Kentucky State Police, Stephens served in various roles, including positions at The Kentucky State Police Academy, as a D.A.R.E Officer, and as a Public Affairs Officer for KSP Post Six in Dry Ridge, Kentucky.

Tom B. Stephens

Tom Stephens became CEO of the Kentucky Association of Health Plans (KAHP) in January 2021. Previously, he served as Secretary of the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet, where he managed the state's largest self-funded health insurance plan, led workforce planning initiatives, and oversaw a $1.6 billion annual payroll. His private sector experience includes roles as Corporate Counsel for Alltech and founder of Stephens Enterprises, a consulting firm specializing in business solutions and legal services. He also co-founded the Gilroy Group, focusing on residential real estate management and investment. A graduate of Tulane University and Loyola University School of Law, Tom was selected as a U.S. Presidential Management Fellow, concentrating on regulatory compliance and maritime law. He is also a recent graduate of the GLI Health Enterprise Network Fellows Program.

John Lindsay Tackett

Judge John Tackett is a graduate of the University of Chicago and the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law. Judge Tackett was a trial and appellate attorney, who formerly practiced law with Phillips, Parker, Orberson and Arnett LLP and then owned his own law office. Elected to the bench in 2018, Judge Tackett currently serves as Fayette District Court Judge and presides over a nationally recognized Fayette Mental Health Treatment Criminal Diversion Court.

Stacy Tapke

Stacy Tapke was elected to Kenton County Attorney in 2014 after serving 10 years as an Assistant County Attorney, where her duties included representing the Commonwealth in guardianship jury trials and assisting families with Casey's law and mental health petitions. She is the first woman in Kenton County's history to hold this office. She a former president of the Kentucky County Attorney's Association and is a former member of the Kentucky Prosecutors Advisory Council.

Diane Thompson

Diane has 55 years of continuous service in the Nelson Circuit Clerk's office. She was appointed and served under Chief Justice Robert Stephens as Chair of the Staffing Task Force and continued that role under Chief Justices Lambert and Minton as well. She was also commissioned as a charter member of the Governor's Council on Domestic Violence. Diane was elected President of the KY Association of Circuit Court Clerks (KACCC) in 1995-1996 and again in 2007-2008. Diane has served in many leadership roles on her mission to help citizens on the front line. Currently, she serves on the KACCC President's Advisory Council, Education Committee and as Chair of the KACCC Technology Committee.

Jordan Turner

Jordan Turner serves as the Boone County Attorney. She earned her bachelor's degree in Speech Communication from Northern Kentucky University in 2005 and graduated from NKU Chase College of Law in 2008. Jordan has previously served as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney and a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney. She has also worked with a faith-based nonprofit human rights organization in Washington, D.C., which investigates and prosecutes human trafficking cases overseas.

Marcus Vanover

Judge Marcus Vanover has been a Family Court Judge since September 2013. He has served as a judge for Adult Drug Court and currently presides over Family Recovery Court. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Vanover served as an Assistant Pulaski County Attorney from 2005 to 2013. In this role, he was responsible for prosecuting dependency, neglect and abuse cases; juvenile drug court; adult guardianship cases; and involuntary hospitalization cases for mental illness, mental retardation, and Casey's Law petitions.

Thomas Vicini

Thomas Vicini, President and CEO for Operation UNITE, manages all substance use prevention, education, treatment, recovery, and law enforcement initiatives for the Kentucky-based anti-drug non-profit. He previously served as Deputy Director/Human Resources Manager for eight years and as a Coalition Coordinator for 17 years. Prior to UNITE, he served as mayor for 13 years, City Councilman for 12 years, and worked in various coal mining industry capacities for 25 years. With a passion for youth, Tom has been a volunteer baseball coach for 46 years and was recipient of the Commissioner's Play Healthy “National Coach of the Year" award by Partnership to End Addiction and Major League Baseball Charities.

Ashli Watts

Ashli Watts was named President and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce in 2019. She joined the Chamber in 2012 as Vice President of Public Affairs. In this role, she helped pass felony expungement, right to work, and workers' compensation legislation. Prior to joining the Chamber, she worked at the Kentucky Bar Association and the Legislative Research Commission.

John J. Wernert

Dr. John J. Wernert has 38 years of experience as a psychiatrist, geriatrician and healthcare policy leader in Kentucky and Indiana. He has served as Secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) and held leadership positions in the AMA and the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Wernert joined Norton Healthcare as Executive Medical Director for behavioral medicine, working with Norton to build access to medical, psychiatric and addictions services in underserved areas of Louisville and southern Indiana.

Randy White

White began his career in corrections in 1996 and held various leadership roles before becoming Warden of the Kentucky State Penitentiary in 2012, where he implemented a behavioral program and expanded evidence-based programming by 60%. Appointed Deputy Commissioner of Adult Institutions in 2018, White oversaw Kentucky's 13 state prisons, introducing Narcan training, inmate tablets, and expanded prison programming. He played a key role in prison expansions and new facility designs. After 28 years of service, White retired in 2023 and was appointed Commissioner of Juvenile Justice in 2024. A Purple Heart recipient, he is also a veteran of the Kentucky Army National Guard. He holds two bachelor's degrees from Eastern Kentucky University.

Carrie Ovey Wiggins

Carrie Ovey-Wiggins is the Commonwealth's Attorney for the 56^th Judicial Circuit. She has held this position since January 2015, following eight years of service as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney. She is a member of the Commonwealth Attorney's Association Executive Committee and the Prosecutors Advisory Council.

Whitney Westerfield

Former Senator Whitney Westerfield, first elected in 2013, served as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee for all three terms in office, and also served as a member of the Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee; Natural Resources and Energy Committee, the Child Welfare Oversight and Advisory Committee; the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity; and as Co-Chair of the Juvenile Justice Oversight Council. In January of 2021, Senator Westerfield was appointed a national Co-Chair of the Law, Criminal Justice, and Public Safety Standing Committee with the National Conference of State Legislatures, and served on the NCSL Executive Committee. Following his public service, Westerfield joined LifeSkills, Inc., one of Kentucky's leading behavioral health providers, as Director of Legal and Governmental Affairs.

Marc Woods

Dr. Marc Woods is a nurse executive with over 30 years of experience in behavioral health, specializing in suicide prevention, safe workplace practices, and reducing the use of seclusion and restraint. He has held various roles in education, clinical management, and administrative leadership. Currently serving as the Chief Nursing Officer at University of Kentucky HealthCare and Eastern State Hospital, Dr. Woods has implemented numerous patient and nurse safety initiatives alike.

Brian Wright

Brian Wright is the Commonwealth's Attorney for the 29^th Judicial Circuit, which consists of Adair and Casey County. He began prosecuting in 1998 and has spent approximately 22 years as a felony prosecutor. Wright earned his bachelor's degree in government and economics at Centre College before obtaining his juris doctorate from the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law.