Kentucky —
LaDonna H. Thompson,
an 18-year veteran of the Kentucky Department of
Corrections, was named commissioner by Gov. Steve Beshear.
Thompson served as deputy commissioner of the agency prior
to this appointment. Serving alongside her, Rodney Ballard was named
deputy commissioner of community services, which encompasses
probation and parole and local facilities. Ballard has more
than 30 years of experience in corrections and law
enforcement and most recently served as chief deputy at
Kenton County Detention Center.
Al
Parke was named deputy commissioner of adult
institutions, in charge of all aspects of operation and
administration for Kentucky’s 13 state and three private
prisons. Parke is a 37-year veteran of corrections and most
recently served as southern regional director for the
Indiana Department of Correction.
Kimberly Potter-Blair, a 10-year veteran of the
department, was named deputy commissioner for support
services. She is responsible for administrative services,
training, budget management, correctional industries,
offender information and information technology.
Pennsylvania —
Louis Giorla,
52, was named acting commissioner of the Philadelphia Prison
System. Giorla previously served as warden at the Riverside
Correctional Facility beginning in May 2006. Giorla, who has
lived in Philadelphia his whole life, began his career as an
officer at the House of Correction in 1982. He has held
positions as head of the Internal Affairs Division and
deputy warden at Alternative and Special Detention.
Washington
— Eldon Vail
was named secretary of the Washington Department of
Corrections by Gov. Chris Gregoire. Vail has served as
interim secretary since Nov. 24, 2007. He returned to the
department as deputy secretary last October after retiring
in 2006, following 31 years with the department. Vail began
his corrections career in 1974 as a youth counselor,
responsible for casework, counseling and security.
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