IDOC Biographies
Commissioner Donahue's Biography
COMMISSIONER J. DAVID DONAHUE
Governor Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. appointed J. David Donahue to be Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Correction in January 2005.
Commissioner Donahue has devoted 26 years to the field of corrections, including service with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, state and private corrections. Donahue has worked at numerous facilities throughout the United States, ranging from minimum to maximum security. He started in corrections as an entry-level officer and worked his way up the chain to be named warden of two prisons. He was also called upon many times to use his correctional knowledge as an auditor for the American Correctional Association (ACA), and most recently, he served as Deputy Commissioner for the Kentucky Department of Correction.
Shortly after arriving in 2005, Donahue appeared before the General Assembly’s Budget Committees and in unprecedented fashion explained that he needed no additional tax dollars to operated the Department of Correction. Under this flat-lined budget he was still able to implement innovative re-entry programs while enhancing public safety. His leadership, correctional methodology and innovative solutions have gained nation-wide recognition. He is committed to progressive, professional and efficient government.
Donahue sits on the Executive Board of Indiana’s Intelligence Fusion Center; he is a Member of the Board of Trustees of Indiana’s Criminal Justice Institute; and is a Member of the Executive Leadership Council of the National Major Gang Task Force. He also is a standing member of the Indiana Sentencing Policy Study Committee; and sits on numerous Committees on behalf of the Association of State Correctional Administrators (an organization composed of all prison system leaders in the Nation).
Donahue graduated from Eastern Kentucky University, with degrees in Police Administration and Criminal Justice.
Deputy Commissioner Biographies
Cecil Davis
cdavis@idoc.in.gov
Cecil K. Davis was named the Deputy Commissioner of Operations for the Indiana Department of Correction in 2007. Mr. Davis has been with the Department since 1981. He began his career in corrections 27 years ago with experience in executive leadership and management positions at several facilities.
Mr. Davis has held numerous positions with the Department including the Northern Regional Director in 2006. He also served as Superintendent South Bend Juvenile Correctional Facility, Camp Summit Juvenile Facility and Indiana State Prison for four years. He is also a Veteran of the United States Army.
Deputy Commissioner Davis holds a Bachelors Degree from Indiana University. He is also a member of American Correctional Association (ACA) and Indiana Correctional Association (ICA). Mr. Davis also serves on the Valparaiso University Criminal Justice Advisor Board.
Bruce Lemmon
blemmon@idoc.in.gov
Bruce Lemmon was named the Deputy Commissioner of Re-entry and Community Programs with the Indiana Department of Correction in March 2007. Mr. Lemmon has been with the Indiana Department of Correction since October 1976, soon after his college graduation. Mr. Lemmon has held numerous positions within the Department that included Recreation Coordinator at Rockville Correctional Facility, Director of Indianapolis Men’s Work Release Center, Supervisor of Work Release and Correctional Units of Adult Facilities, and Regional Director of Adult Facilities. In these capacities, he has administered all facets of the correctional operation.
Mr. Lemmon holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana.
Robert Bugher
rbugher@idoc.in.gov
Robert Bugher has served in the capacity of Legal Services Director since June 2000. Mr. Bugher has also served as Staff Counsel for the Department since his original hire in April 1995. Before joining the Department, Mr. Bugher spent three years as a private attorney at Brown and Nelson in Indianapolis. Other significant legal experience includes over four years in the Office of the Indiana Attorney General, both in the capacity of a Law Clerk and Deputy Attorney General. He also spent two years as an Associate Planner in the Office of the Columbus Planning Department located in Columbus, Indiana.
Mr. Bugher has several degrees that include a Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree from the Indiana University School of Law (1991), a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs (1985) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Purdue University (1982).
Randy Koester
rkoester@idoc.in.gov
Randy Koester is the Chief of Staff for the Indiana Department of Correction. In addition to advising the Commissioner and providing executive support, Randy directs the Department’s Legislative Affairs and Ethics Officers. He functions as the Department’s liaison with other state, federal and local government officials. He supervises the Department’s Victim Witness Notification Program and the Department’s Offender Relations Division.
Before becoming Executive Assistant to the Commissioner, Randy held other positions in the Department since 1991. These positions included Deputy Commissioner for External Relations, Staff Attorney and General Legal Counsel.
He began his legal career as a clerk and became a staff attorney with the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission. He also worked for three years as a Deputy Attorney General, serving in the Criminal Appeals and Government Litigation Divisions in the Attorney General’s Office.
Randy has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Corporate and Investment Finance from Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business, and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis.
Joseph A. O'Connell
joconnell@idoc.in.gov
Joseph A. O'Connell was named the Chief Financial Officer of the Division of Finance and Performance for the Department in August 2006. He oversees the Department's Operating, Capital and Prison Industry Budgets and is responsible for working with other Department Divisions to establish benchmarks for measuring performance. He is also responsible for identifying the Department's Correctional Best Practices and replicating and implementing them statewide.
Other areas of responsibility include payroll, procurement, contract monitoring and compliance, asset/inventory management, and strategic planning.
Mr. O’Connell has been involved in Federal and State Tax Consulting in the Midwest area. His responsibilities have included the development of State Tax Planning and Consulting practice in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. He also served as a national resource for state income tax planning and consulting opportunities. Mr. O’Connell has broad experience in Federal and State income tax, as well as in public accounting with the Big Four Accounting Firms.
Mr. O’Connell has spent over 10 years in state tax consulting. He began his career in public accounting and has worked with other national and regional CPA firms.
Mr. O’Connell is a CPA and has a B.S. in Business, with a major in Accounting from Indiana University.
Chief Communications Officer's Biography
Douglas S. Garrison
dsgarrison@idoc.in.gov
Douglas S. Garrison was named as the Communications Chief for the Indiana Department of Correction in February 2008. As a member of the Executive Staff, Garrison acts as the spokesperson for the Agency, keeping the media and members of the public apprised of the significant events that transpire within the Department of Correction. Garrison is charged with the responsibility of enhancing the Department’s communications effectiveness, and using new technologies and improved communication methods to advance the public’s understanding of the great advances being made in correctional services within the State of Indiana.
Garrison comes to the Department with an extensive background in media and public relations, having spent the last 13 years of his 26 year career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation as the Chief Division Counsel and public spokesperson for the Indianapolis Division of the FBI. As a member of the FBI’s Executive Management team, Doug provided advice and counsel in countless high-pressure command post situations, emergencies and investigative operations. During his career in Indianapolis, his public representation of the FBI helped establish strategic alliances across a broad spectrum of the Indianapolis business, educational, political, public safety and legal communities. After retiring from the FBI at the end of 2003, Garrison went on to head the award-winning Investigative Team (ITEAM) at WISHTV in Indianapolis from 2004 until May of 2007. As the leader of a five member team of experienced investigative journalists, Garrison’s efforts helped expose fraud, criminality, inefficiency and waste in government, and private and public programs.
Garrison received his Bachelor of Arts (with Honors) from the University of Wisconsin in 1975, where he studied Political Science, Philosophy and History. He went on to earn his Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) from Indiana University in 1978. Garrison is admitted to the practice of law in Indiana.
Executive Director Biographies
Michael W. Cunegin II
mcunegin@idoc.in.gov
Michael W. Cunegin II has been appointed as the Executive Director of Administration for the Indiana Department of Correction. Mr. Cunegin comes to the department from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, where he led the Agency as its Executive Director since June, 2006.
Mike brings to his position over 25 years of experience in Law Enforcement, Budget Management and the Legislative Process.
He later applied his practical and professional experiences to County Government as he held the office of Allen County Councilman from 1994 to 2006. In 2001, he was elected to the office of President, for the Allen County Council where he served until 2003.
Mike served as a career Law Enforcement Officer on the Ft. Wayne Police Department. During his 26 years in Law Enforcement, Mike served as a Homicide Detective Supervisor, Hostage Negotiator, Vice and Narcotics Officer, Criminal Intelligence Officer, Road Patrol Officer, SWAT Team member, Academy Instructor, and CIT Officer.
As Executive Director of Administration, Mr. Cunegin will oversee the department's Human Resource Services, Construction Services, Food Service, Registration and Victim Services, PEN Products Technology Services, Staff Development and Training.
Kellie J. Whitcomb
kwhitcomb@idoc.in.gov
Kellie J. Whitcomb is the Executive Director of Juvenile Division for the Indiana Department of Correction.
She was previously the Superintendent of Logansport Juvenile Correctional Facility where she has served from 1994 to 2008. Ms. Whitcomb began her career in 1984 working with children and families within the Indiana Department of Public Welfare in Cass and White counties.
Ms. Whitcomb received her Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University in 1982, receiving her degree in Education. She maintains an Indiana Teaching License and is also a Licensed Social Worker.
