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December 27, 2007

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Ulman Names Jack Kavanagh to Serve as Howard County’s Acting Director of Corrections

ELLICOTT CITY-- Howard County Executive Ken Ulman today announced that he has appointed Jack Kavanagh to serve as Acting Director of the Department of Corrections effective January 1, 2008. Kavanagh replaces Melanie C. Pereira who headed the Department for the past 10 years and will retire on December 31, 2007, following a 33-year career in Maryland corrections.

Kavanagh has served as Deputy Director under Pereira for the past five years. As Deputy Director, Kavanagh was responsible for administrative oversight of security operations, staff training, emergency preparedness and compliance with all mandated correctional standards.

In making the appointment Ulman said, “I have every confidence that Jack Kavanagh has both the experience and the ability to provide the type of continuity that I believe is critical to the Detention Center’s operation. Melanie has been an innovative leader, so Jack has a tough act to follow, but I believe he is up to the challenge.”

“It is an honor and a privilege to accept this position; I really and truly am looking forward to becoming part of this Administration,” said Kavanagh. “I promised Executive Ulman that I will work 24-7 to continue the great work Melanie started. Howard County has an outstanding group of correctional professionals at the Department of Corrections, and I look forward to this opportunity to continue working with them.”

Kavanagh holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Baltimore. He holds certifications from the U.S. Department of Justice National Institute of Corrections Executives and the American Correctional Association. Kavanagh has worked in the corrections field for nearly 30 years – 24 of those years for the Maryland Department of Corrections. Before coming to Howard County, he was the Assistant Commissioner at the Division of Corrections Headquarters.

He is a member of the American Correctional Association, the Maryland Correctional Administrators Association, and the Maryland Criminal Justice Association.

Kavanagh and his wife Eileen have three children.