Gov. Beshear Announces Changes to Cabinet, Promotes 2 Career Employees to Secretary Positions

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 14, 2026) - Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced several changes within his executive cabinet to continue delivering results that help Kentuckians across the commonwealth live better lives. Changes effective today include updates within the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), the Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) and the Public Protection Cabinet (PPC), with two career employees moving into secretary roles.

"Over the past six years, Team Kentucky has secured historic economic investments and a record number of new, good-paying jobs while also delivering safer roads and bridges, increasing access to health care, and rebuilding from some of the nation's most devastating natural disasters," said Gov. Beshear. "While we have a lot to be proud of, this administration is more committed than ever to making every day count as we deliver results that Kentuckians want and deserve. These leaders are incredible public servants who have dedicated themselves to this work, and these new positions will help us make even more progress."

Jim Gray, who has served as the secretary of KYTC through the entirety of the Beshear administration, will be stepping into a new part time role as special advisor to the Governor on transportation. Prior to joining Team Kentucky, Gray served two terms as mayor of Lexington, Kentucky, and before that was president and CEO of Gray Inc.

"Jim helped us see through major projects like the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project and finalizing the Mountain Parkway while also delivering safer roads and bridges across Kentucky and supporting preparations for, response to and recovery from some of the state's worst natural disasters," said the Governor. "I am grateful he will continue to make an impact through this next well-deserved role."

"I'm grateful to have served alongside thousands of talented and dedicated public servants these past six years, and I take a lot of pride in what we've been able to accomplish by working together," said Gray. "This is a purposeful transition for me - one where I will continue to support the Governor and all of Team Kentucky in a new and meaningful way."

Moving into the role of secretary for KYTC will be current EEC Secretary Rebecca Goodman. Goodman has been the state's top environmental officer since December 2019. She began her career at KYTC as a cartographer and then returned to state government as a staff attorney at the Kentucky Public Service Commission after receiving her law degree. She has spent more than four decades in various roles throughout state government, including as general counsel at KYTC and the Executive Branch Ethics Commission.

John Lyons, who currently serves as deputy secretary of EEC, will transition into the role of EEC secretary. Lyons is a career cabinet employee, serving the state for over 35 years in roles ranging from an enforcement specialist within the Kentucky Division of Water to a director of the Division for Air Quality and more.

PPC Secretary Ray Perry will become deputy secretary of Gov. Beshear's executive cabinet under Executive Cabinet Secretary John Hicks. Perry, who moved into the secretary post at PPC in August 2021, has served the citizens of the commonwealth in a variety of roles for nearly three decades. He previously served as assistant director of consumer protection and deputy commissioner at the Department of Insurance and as executive director of the then-Labor Cabinet's General Administration and Procurement Services.

Deputy Cabinet Secretary DJ Wasson will move into the top position at PPC. Wasson is another career employee, beginning at the Department of Insurance in 1992 and serving in roles ranging from legislative liaison to market conduct examiner and more. In her most recent role at PPC, Wasson has been instrumental in the creation and implementation of the Eastern Kentucky high-ground initiative for flood survivors.

"DJ and John are two Kentuckians who have shown an incredible commitment to serving the families across our commonwealth through their roles in state government," Gov. Beshear said. "These two leaders have more than earned these positions, and I am excited to continue working with them."

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