Scott Kernan

Scott Kernan, the former undersecretary of operations at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) was recently appointed secretary of the department. He replaces former Secretary Jeffrey Beard, who retired on Jan. 1. Kernan was owner at Kernan Consulting from 2011 to 2015. Prior to his current appointment, Kernan served in several positions at the CDCR, including undersecretary for operations from 2008 to 2011 and then again in 2015, chief deputy secretary of adult operations from 2007 to 2008 and deputy director of adult institutions from 2006 to 2007. He also was warden at California State Prison, Sacramento from 2004 to 2006 and warden at Mule Creek State Prison from 2003 to 2004, where he also served as chief deputy warden from 2001 to 2003 and a correctional administrator from 2000 to 2001. Kernan served as a correctional captain at the CDCR from 1991 to 2000, a correctional lieutenant from 1987 to 1991, an associate budget analyst from 1986 to 1987, a correctional sergeant from 1985 to 1986 and a correctional officer from 1983 to 1985. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1979 to 1982.