Randy White, Commissioner
On April 1, 2024, Gov. Beshear appointed Randy White as commissioner of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Commissioner White brings decades of experience to the department from his service to both the commonwealth and to the nation.
In December 2023, Commissioner White retired from the Department of Corrections after 27 years of service. During his career he served in numerous leadership positions, including deputy commissioner of Adult Institutions, warden of Kentucky State Penitentiary and Green River Correctional Complex, deputy warden of Luther Luckett Correctional Complex, classification and treatment officer, corrections unit manager and procedures/accreditation specialist and correctional officer. Most recently he served as deputy commissioner, a position he held for five and a half years. During that time, Kentucky secured the lowest recidivism rate in state history. He also developed a Narcan program for the Department of Corrections, leading the nation as the first prison system to train staff on how to administer this lifesaving drug to prevent overdose deaths.
Commissioner White also served with the United States Army and the Kentucky Army National Guard, being mobilized on two separate occasions. In January 2005, White was deployed to Iraq and assigned to conduct combat patrols, being designated as a squad leader, supervising nine soldiers. He completed a 12-month tour of duty as a provisional military police squad leader.
As commissioner of juvenile justice, White will prioritize reducing youth crime and recidivism, increasing mental health treatment, enhancing employee training and securing all 27 juvenile facilities to better protect youth and staff, while continuing to implement the administration's aggressive plan to enhance safety in response to violent incidents.
Commissioner White graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science in corrections and juvenile services and police administration, and a minor in psychology.
Marshay Boyd, Division Director
Compliance Division
Marshay Boyd was appointed as Division Director of the Division of Program Service for the Department of Juvenile Justice effective February 1, 2022. In Nov. 2022, the department developed a compliance branch to conduct random staff interviews and unannounced facility inspections and Ms. Boyd was appointed as director. In this position she oversees the Policy Development Branch, Quality Assurance Branch and Prison Rape Elimination Act Branch.
Director Boyd began her career as a Family Support Specialist with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in April 2000. She continued her career working in various departments, serving as Family Support Specialist I, II, III, Case Manager Specialist I, Field Service Supervisor, Branch Manager for the Division of Program Performance, Assistant Director for the Division of Program Performance, Division Director of the Division of Program Performance and Assistant Director of the Office of Inspector General.
Director Boyd graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
Dena Burton, Executive Director
Office of Program Operations
On December 16, 2023, Dena Burton was appointed Executive Director of the Office of Operations for the Department of Juvenile Justice. In this position, Director Burton oversees the department's Youth Development Centers, Group Homes, Day Treatment Centers and the Placement Services Division.
Director Burton began her career with the department as a Youth Worker in 1999. She has continued working with the department since, serving as a Youth Worker Supervisor, Youth Services Program Supervisor, Quality Assurance Branch Manager, Corrections Program Administrator, Assistant Director, and Director of the Program Services Division and most recently as Assistant Director of the Compliance Division beginning in May 2023.
Director Burton holds a bachelor's degree in human services with an emphasis in criminal justice from Lindsey Wilson College.
Troy Pollock, Executive Director
Office of Detention
Troy Pollock was appointed Executive Director of the Office of Detention on August 20, 2025. Director Pollock brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the department having worked in corrections the last three decades.
Director Pollock has served in various positions throughout his career from correctional officer, operations manager, deputy warden and chief deputy jailer and at several facilities; including, but not limited to Kentucky State Reformatory, Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women, Luther Luckett Correctional Complex, correctional facilities outside of the commonwealth and most recently at Carroll County Detention Center. He has also been instrumental in deploying the Handle With Care program to support youth and promote positive development.
Throughout his career, Director Pollock has ensured compliance with American Correctional Association requirements with an emphasis on training at both the state and local levels. As director of detention, Pollock will ensure the department's detention centers are compliant with mandated security requirements while ensuring safety for youth, staff and the commonwealth's communities.
He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a bachelor's degree in correctional and juvenile justice studies and Kentucky Community & Technical College System with an associate degree in criminal justice.
John Fowler, Executive Advisor
On June 16, 2024, John Fowler was appointed as executive advisor for the Department of Juvenile Justice. Executive Advisor Fowler brings nearly 30 years of state and federal correctional experience to the position. He has served in several positions at different state and federal correctional facilities, where he developed a deep knowledge and expertise in correctional security. Executive Advisor Fowler began his career at Northpoint Training Center in Burgin before moving to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, where he served as a lieutenant, an instructor in various capacities, and as acting captain. He has worked at several federal facilities, including the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, and the United States Penitentiary in McCreary.
As the executive advisor at the Department of Juvenile Justice, his primary duties are to conduct security assessments of detention facilities and youth development centers; function as the emergency preparedness coordinator; review and develop incident action plans; shall be designated as the DJJ CIRT Administrator; shall conduct announced and unannounced emergency preparedness drills at detention facilities and youth development centers.
Martha Mather, Advisor
Behavioral and Mental Health
Martha Mather was appointed as the Behavioral and Mental Health Advisor for the Department of Juvenile Justice on February 1, 2025. In this position, she develops, implements and improves mental health services for youth.
Mather has substantial experience in behavioral healthcare leadership. Prior to joining the department, she was a senior consultant at Sheppard Pratt Solutions, the nation’s largest nonprofit behavioral health system, in this role she assisted clients throughout the country by providing operational and strategic support. Mather previously served as Chief Operating Officer for Aware Recovery Care, expanding operations of a private equity in-home addiction treatment model across 11 states. Mather held multiple leadership roles in Louisville, Kentucky as Chief Operating Officer of Our Lady of Peace and Saints Mary & Elizabeth Hospital and later as CEO of Peace Hospital within the University of Louisville Health system.
She earned her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Florida Atlantic University.
Kevin Mazza, Division Director
Division of Transportation
Kevin Mazza was appointed division director of the Division of Transportation for the Department of Juvenile Justice on February 1, 2025. In this role, he oversees juvenile transportation to and from department facilities and court appearances, ensuring efficient operations and support for public safety.
With over 21 years of experience in corrections, administrations and security, Mazza began his career as a Correctional Officer at the Kentucky State Reformatory in 2003. He advanced through multiple leadership positions, including Deputy Warden of the Western Kentucky Correctional Complex and Warden of the Green River Correctional Complex, where he was named 2022 Warden of the Year. He later retired as Warden of Northpoint Training Center in September 2024.
Kenny Talbott, Director
Professional Development
Kenny Talbott was appointed Director of Professional Development in March 2025. In this role, Talbott oversees education and training of all department personnel, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to keep themselves and the youth in their custody safe and secure.
Director Talbott brings more than two decades of corrections experience to the department. He began his career as a chaplain at the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women in 2004 before becoming institutional training coordinator at the Kentucky State Reformatory in 2011. He later served in the Department of Corrections Division of Health Services where he supported staff wellness, developed training curriculums and promoted safe workplace environments. In 2023, Talbott was named assistant director of the Department of Corrections Division of Corrections Training and was then appointed as the division's director the following year. In this role, he ensured training standards and procedures were upheld, addressed department-wide training needs and maintained compliance with the American Correctional Association Compliance. He retired from the Department of Corrections in November 2025.
Talbott holds a bachelor's degree in biblical studies with an emphasis in youth ministry from Cincinnati Christian University.