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.
Elzie Burgher, Executive Director
Office of Support Services
Elzie Burgher was appointed as Executive Director of the Office of Support Services for the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice effective February 5, 2024. As Executive Director, he ensures the department is meeting all statutory, regulatory and policy requirements, while providing education, evidence-based practices and training support to the department's employees.
Prior to joining the department, Elzie served as the Deputy Budget Director, Budget Director, Chief Financial Officer, Contracting Officer, Grants Program Manager, Acting Grants Budget Manager of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet and Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Statistical Analysis Center within the cabinet. Prior to joining the Cabinet, Elzie worked as a consultant for Whitney, Bradley, and Brown (now Serco) and served as a Logistics Officer in the United States Marine Corps. He currently serves as Multifunctional Logistics Officer in the Kentucky Army National Guard.
He graduated from Saint Catherine College with an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences and with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University.
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.
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.
Amanda Krahenbuhl, DirectorAmanda Krahenbuhl was appointed Training Director for the Department of Juvenile Justice on September 1, 2025. Director Krahenbuhl brings over two decades of experience in social services and professional development to the position.
Krahenbuhl has served with the department for 12 years in a variety of roles, having most recently served as the Assistant Training Director. She began her career in 2003 with the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts first as a pre-trial officer then as a court designated worker. In 2013, she joined the department as a social service worker and was later promoted to social service specialist before becoming administrative branch manager in 2018. Krahenbuhl served in this role until March 2024, when she was named assistant director of the department's training branch.
In her career, Director Krahenbuhl has put Kentucky's youth first, supporting the mental and emotional needs of youth while ensuring the department's employees are effectively trained to meet the needs of youth and their facilities, protecting the commonwealth's communities. She has been instrumental in implementation of Handle with Care across the department, and she will continue to oversee implementation while making sure all security and non-security personnel are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to keep themselves and the youth in their custody safe and secure.
Director Krahenbuhl graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a bachelor's degree in police administration.