IDOC Executive Staff Biographies
Commissioner
Commissioner Bruce Lemmon
Indiana Department of Correction Commissioner Bruce Lemmon was reappointed by Governor Michael R. Pence on January 10, 2013.
Commissionr Lemmon also served in his currenty capacity under the administration of former Governor Mitchell E. Daniels Jr. Before being appointed to Commissioner, Bruce Lemmon served as the Superintendent of the Putnamville Correctional Facility in Greencastle, IN. While in his post as Superintendent, he made many improvements to the facility, such as doubling the size of both the CLIFF Unit and the PLUS Unit, initiating a recycling program, and establishing the Park and Furniture Program, Farm Fresh Dinner, and the Inmate to Work Mate Program. Commissioner Lemmon also increased the amount of jobs for the offender population during his tenure at Putnamville.
Lemmon began his career as a recreation coordinator in 1976 at the Rockville Correctional Facility. He has served in various capacities within DOC during his 35-year career including Supervisor of Work Release Services, Assistant Superintendent of the Indiana Girls School, Regional Director of Adult Operations, Superintendent of the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility and Deputy Commissioner. Lemmon also served as interim DOC Commissioner on two occasions.
Commissioner Lemmon is a veteran having served his country in the United States Army and was honorably discharged as a Specialist 5. He is an auditor for the American Correctional Association (ACA), and he holds a membership with the American Correctional Association (ACA), Indiana Correctional Association (ICA) lifetime member, National Major Gang Task Force (NMGTF), and the Certified Correctional Executive (CCE). Lemmon received the IDOC’s Distinguished Service Award in 2009.
Lemmon earned a bachelor's degree from Indiana State University.
Chief of Staff/Deputy Commissioner of Administration
Amanda Copeland
Amanda Copeland serves as the IDOC's Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner of Administration. Prior to serving as Chief of Staff, she served at the Executive Director of Research and Technology since August 2009. She joined the Indiana Department of Correction as the Director of Planning and Research in February 2007.
Prior to joining the Indiana Department of Correction, Amanda served as the Director of Research for the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and the Director of the Indiana Statistical Analysis Center. Amanda has also served as a firearm analyst for the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for the Indianapolis Field Office and as an adjunct professor for Indiana University-Bloomington and Ivy Tech Community College.
Amanda holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana University-Bloomington (2003), and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2000).
Deputy Commissioner of Re-entry
Randy Koester
Randy Koester is the Deputy Commissioner of Re-entry for the Indiana Department of Correction. In addition to directing the Department’s Legislative Affairs and Ethics Officers, Mr. Koester supervises the Re-entry, Community Corrections, Parole Services, Programs, Education, and Religious Services divisions.
He started with the Department as a Staff Attorney in 1991, and since that time has worked as the Agency’s Legislative Liaison, General Legal Counsel, Director of Intergovernmental Relations, Executive Assistant to the Commissioner, Chief of Staff, and Deputy Commissioner of Administration.
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.
Deputy Commissioner of Operations
James Basinger
Deputy Commissioner of Operations James Basinger oversees the Classification and Adult Operations divisions. Deputy Commissioner Basinger, a 20 year veteran with the Department, previously served as the Executive Director of Adult Operations. He began his career with the Indiana Department of Correction on December 21, 1991 at the Bloomington Work Release Center as a Correctional Officer. He transferred to Wabash Valley Correctional Facility (WVCF) in the summer of 1992.
Mr. Basinger held various custody positions while at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility from Officer to Major, also serving as the Emergency Squad Commander for 7 years. He has been a Firearms Instructor, CPR/First Aid Instructor, Training Officer and Staff Development Training Coordinator at WVCF. He is also a graduate of the first Emerging and Experienced Leadership Program.
Mr. Basinger held the position of Major at the Putnamville Correctional Facility from 2000 until 2003. He was promoted to Asst. Superintendent February 2009 at WVCF then promoted to Superintendent October 2009 at WVCF.
In April 2009, Mr. Basinger retired as Command Sergeant Major with the 76th Brigade of the Indiana National Guard after 25 years of service, beginning as a United States Marine. He served two tours of duty in Iraq and a third tour as the 76th Brigade’s Rear Detachment Command Sergeant Major.
Chief of Communications
Douglas S. Garrison
Douglas S. Garrison serves as the Communications Chief for the Indiana Department of Correction. 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.
Chief Financial Officer
Andrew Pritchard
Andrew Pritchard serves as the Department’s Chief Financial Officer. Prior to accepting the position with the Department, he served as President of Dayspring Development, LLC , a real estate investment and development company located in Indianapolis, IN where he was recognized with the 2008 Forestry Stewardship Award by the Hoosier Heartland RC&D.
He began his professional career in commercial banking, first with Indiana National Bank and then as Senior Vice President of Summit Bank. While at Summit, he was a member of the Executive Management Committee and responsible for all commercial lending.
Andy has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Management from Franklin College in Franklin, IN and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Indiana University's Kelly School of Business.
Chief Counsel
Robert Bugher
Robert Bugher has served in the capacity of Chief Counsel 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).
Executive Director of Youth Services
Michael Dempsey
Michael Dempsey serves Executive Director of the IDOC’s Division of Youth Services in May 2009. Mr. Dempsey began his assignment with the Indiana Department of Correction as Superintendent of the Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility in June 2006. Prior to moving to Indiana, Mr. Dempsey served as the Superintendent of the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex for approximately two and a half years. He began his career in corrections with the Missouri Department of Corrections, starting as a Corrections Officer at the Missouri State Penitentiary in 1985. Since that time, Mr. Dempsey has held positions as a Correctional Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Major. He has also held positions as Correctional Training Officer, Internal Affairs Investigator, Assistant Superintendent and Associate Superintendent.
Mr. Dempsey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration and Criminal Justice and has been actively involved with the American Correctional Association (ACA) as a member and certified auditor. He has also been involved with the Counsel of Juvenile Correctional Administrators, working with the performance-based standards which are now being implemented in all IDOC Juvenile Correctional Facilities.
Executive Directors
Michael Osburn
Michael J. Osburn serves as the Inspector General/Public Safety Liaison for the Indiana Department of Correction. He oversees the Staff Development Emergency Operations, Field Audits and Internal Affairs divisions.
Executive Director Osburn began his career with the Department in 1986 as a Correctional Officer at the Plainfield Correctional Facility and has held every custody positions from Officer to Major. Mr. Osburn also served at the Director of Staff Development and Training at Plainfield Correctional Facility, Assistant Superintendent at Miami Correctional Facility, and Superintendent at Putnamville Correctional Facility. He has also held every position on the IDOC Emergency Squad and was the first Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) Commander.
Mr. Osburn has over 36 years of dedicated military service with both the United States Army and the National Guard and currently holds the rank of Brigadier General in the Army National Guard and is Commander of the 81st Troop Command. Osburn served a tour of duty in Afghanistan as Commander of the Agribusiness Development Team with the Indiana National Guard.
Mr. Osburn earned a Master’s degree in Human Resources and Management from Oakland City University and a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.
Richard Curry
Richard L. Curry, Jr. serves as the Executive Director of Emergency Operations. He started his career with the Indiana Department of Correction in June 1992 as a correctional officer at the Plainfield Correctional Facility. After promoting through the ranks to Correctional Major, he was promoted to Assistant Superintendent at the Putnamville Correctional Facility. In December 2006, Richard was appointed as the Superintendent of the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Richard’s background in corrections is numerous and includes instructor qualifications in emergency response operations, thinking for a change, dealing with youth incarcerated as adults, cultural competency, and cultural diversity.
Richard is very active in his community as well. He serves as Senior Pastor at the True Tried Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis and participates in various community activities to assist in the repair of the troubled north-side community. Richard also served in the United States Army for 13 years, participating in Desert Shield/Storm.
Richard attended Vincennes University, majoring in criminal justice. He also attended Crossroads Bible College in Indianapolis, Indiana and Trinity Bible College, in Newburgh, Indiana, majoring in pastoral ministry and religious studies. He is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in business management. Richard is currently enrolled in the Indiana Wesleyan University Graduate Studies program pursuing a Master’s Degree in Leadership.
Julie A. Lanham Julie Lanham serves as the Executive Director of Transition and Re-Entry Initiatives. She has over twenty-five years of experience in executive level positions in the criminal justice field.
After completing her degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana University she moved through the developmental positions as a probation officer to an Executive Director of Marion County Community Corrections (Indianapolis Indiana) for eleven years. Following that tenure, she owned her own consulting company that interfaced with privatized prison and jail leadership, where she utilized her broad expertise at the county, state, and federal levels to evaluate and audit the effectiveness of facility operations, complaints and re-entry programs.
Julie served on the transition committee for Governor-Elect Mitch Daniels and was ultimately asked to serve as the Deputy Commissioner of Re-Entry Programs for the Indiana Department of Corrections from 2005 to 2007. Julie was then recruited to serve as Territory Manager for a Dallas based company that provides diversified technology and security solutions for correctional facilities across the country.
Aaron Garner
Aaron Garner serves as Executive Director of Research and Technology. Mr. Garner joined the Indiana Department of Correction as a Research Analyst within the Research and Planning Division in July 2006.
Since joining the Indiana Department of Correction, Aaron graduated from the first Experienced and Emerging Leader’s Program. He has also served as a Team Leader for the Department’s Leadership Academy since its inception. Aaron currently holds the position of Treasurer with the Indiana Criminal Justice Association.
Aaron earned a Master’s degree in Criminology from Indiana State University (2006), and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana University (2002).
Jerry Vance
Gerald “Jerry” Vance serves as the Indiana Department of Correction’s Executive Director of Programs. Executive Director Vance is responsible for providing broad oversight and coordination of credit-time generating programs, including addiction recovery programs, education services, cognitive behavioral programs, and faith-based programs and services. Jerry also directs other services, including offender case management, transitional programs, the sex offender management and monitoring program and volunteer services.
Jerry’s in-depth knowledge of rehabilitative programs along with his 21 years of experience with the Department makes him superbly suited to direct the kinds of refinements to the Department’s programming that will make our Agency stand out among the finest in the nation. He has been in the social services field for over 30 years. He possesses a Bachelors and Masters Degree from Ball State University, and is Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Indiana. Jerry reports to the Deputy Commissioner of Re-entry.
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