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Leadership at DOC
Louis A. Molina - Commissioner
Louis A. Molina assumed the role of Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction on January 1, 2022. He is a veteran public safety leader with experience in military, law enforcement and corrections.
Commissioner Molina most recently served as Chief for the City of Las Vegas’ Department of Public Safety, where he oversaw the city’s jail, deputy city marshals and other public safety officials. In 2018, Commissioner Molina served as the first deputy commissioner for the Westchester County Department of Correction. From 2016-2017, he served as Chief Internal Monitor and Acting Assistant Commissioner of the Nunez Compliance unit at NYC DOC. He started his career in law enforcement as a police officer in the NYPD and rose to the rank of Detective.
Commissioner Molina has experience modernizing correctional systems through robust programming, building staff capacity and making strategic investments that improved conditions for staff and people in custody. He has also built strong partnerships with faith-based and community leaders, and nonprofit organizations working with justice-involved people.
Commissioner Molina is a native New Yorker from the Bronx and a decorated veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Chaminade University, a Master of Public Administration from Marist College School of Management, a Master of Arts degree in Human Rights Studies from Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and studied abroad at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. He was a U.S. Department of Justice/Office of Justice Programs National Institute of Justice Scholar and most recently received a scholarship from the Harvard Business School Fund for Leadership & Innovation. Commissioner Molina also has completed the Harvard Business School General Management Program.
Lynelle Maginley-Liddie - First Deputy Commissioner
Lynelle Maginley-Liddie was appointed First Deputy Commissioner, effective January 2021, in which capacity she serves as a key member of the Department’s Senior Leadership Team. Ms. Maginley-Liddie has been with the Department since 2015, as Agency Attorney in the Legal Division, and in April 2018 as Deputy General Counsel. In August 2020, she was promoted to Acting Senior Deputy Commissioner and Chief Diversity Officer. Ms. Maginley-Liddie advises on matters related to departmental operations, policy improvements, new initiatives, and legal issues. She supports staff at all levels of the Department.
Before joining the Department of Correction, Ms. Maginley-Liddie was an Associate at the law firm of Leader Berkon Colao & Silverstein LLP. She received her Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law. She is licensed in New York and New Jersey and is admitted to the Eastern and Southern District Courts of New York, as well as the United States District Court of New Jersey. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Government from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Kat Thomson - Chief of Staff
Kat Thomson was appointed Chief of Staff in February 2022. Prior to this role, she served as the Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau of Management Analysis & Planning at the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY), where she was responsible for the agency’s Data Quality, Operations Research, Strategic Planning/Program Evaluation, Internal Audit and Geographic Information Systems(GIS) units. In this capacity, Ms. Thomson designed and implemented planning, evaluation and optimization strategies for New York City’s Fire and EMS uniformed force to improve both day-to-day operations as well as in support of key agency initiatives and pilot programs. Ms. Thomson also developed comprehensive metrics and evaluations for agency hiring, promotional and retention practice and programs in support of agency mandates and federal court monitor compliance for improving diversity and equity. Ms. Thomson was previously Director of Operations Research to the Uniformed Fire Officers Association in New York City and she served 17 years in wildland fire and aviation operations.
In her role as Chief of Staff, Ms. Thomson will report directly to the Commissioner and advise him on strategic, operational, programs, and policy matters. She will also serve as his representative to external stakeholders and oversee the day-to-day operation for The Office of the Commissioner.
Ms. Thomson has a B.A. in Urban Studies from New School University, a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Ph.D. in Politics & Education Policy from Columbia.
Ronald Brereton – Deputy Commissioner of Security Operations
Ronald Brereton was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Security Operations in May 2022.
Prior to joining DOC, DC Brereton served at the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). In his 33 years with DOCCS, Mr. Brereton progressively rose through the ranks from correction officer at Sing Sing Correction Facility to Superintendent at Lincoln Correctional Facility. Furthermore, he also held supervisory positions at Queensboro, Taconic, and Fulton Correctional Facility, as well as Edgecombe Residential Treatment Facility.
In his role, Mr. Brereton will oversee the Custody Management Division, the Centralized Movement Unit, the Correction Intelligence Bureau, Special and Central Operations Divisions, and the Operational Security Intelligence Unit. He will be responsible for ensuring the proper placement of individuals in custody by using data to determine each person’s institutional risk. In addition, he will monitor department-wide systems to ensure quality control measures are met and improve safety for officers, non-uniform staff, and people in custody.
He has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justine from Mercy College, is a certified corrections manager and auditor with the American Correctional Association, and a member of the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice and North American Warden’s Association.
Frank Dwyer – Deputy Commissioner of Public Information
Frank Dwyer was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Public Information in May 2023.
Prior to joining DOC, Mr. Dwyer served as Fire Department, City of New York’s (FDNY) Deputy Commissioner for Public Information and External Affairs. While in this position, Mr. Dwyer operated as chief spokesperson and led the agency’s mission-driven public safety agenda to reduce fires, deaths, and injuries to civilians. Notably, Mr. Dwyer was FDNY’s chief spokesperson throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw internal and external communications for the most successful recruitment and diversity campaign in FDNY history. Prior to his time in government, Mr. Dwyer worked at WNBC as a News Operations Manager and as an Assignment Editor from 2005-2008, where he won an Emmy for his role in breaking news coverage; and at NY1 as an Assignment Editor from 2002-2005. He began his career in journalism at WNBC in June 2001, working on the assignment desk.
In his role as Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Dwyer will oversee the 24/7 press office operations and manage all external and internal communications. He will also supervise various units including Strategic Communications, Digital Branding & Marketing, Strategic Partnerships, and Community Engagement for the department. Mr. Dwyer earned his B.A. in Mass Communication and English at Iona University (formerly Iona College).
Ronald Edwards - Deputy Commissioner of Administration
Ronald Edwards was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Administration in September 2022.
Prior to joining DOC, Mr. Edwards served as the Director of Corrections at the Hudson County Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation in New Jersey. While in this position, he oversaw the daily operations of a 2100-bed correctional and rehabilitation facility while managing 500 law enforcement officers, 150 support staff and 100 contracted employees. In his 29-year tenure in law enforcement, he also served as the Deputy Director, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Correction Officer and K-9 Handler at the Hudson County Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation.
In his role as Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Edwards will serve as the Department’s staffing manager and oversee the assignment and management of uniformed personnel. He will be responsible for managing a Roster Management Unit, which will monitor staff assignments, status, and scheduling in all facilities. He will also expand and implement policies and procedures to evaluate staff outages and staff placed on modified duty to create a staff assignment system that will ensure that all staff are appropriately deployed throughout each facility.
Mr. Edwards holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and a Master of Science in Administration Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Solange N. Grey - Deputy Commissioner of Trials
Solange N. Grey was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Trials in May 2022. Ms. Grey has many years of experience in both civil and criminal litigation. Prior to this role, she was a Magistrate in New York County and Queens County Family Court, where she would hear and decide paternity, child, and spousal support cases. She worked as a Senior Staff Attorney at Lawyers For Children, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing individual advocacy to children in NYC’s Foster Care System and as an Assistant District Attorney at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. She also taught paternity and child support law as a guest lecturer at St. John’s University in Queens for the past two years.
As the Deputy Commissioner of Trials, Ms. Grey will be responsible for directing and overseeing the day-to-day operations of all trials, which process the prosecution of all internal disciplinary matters brought against members of the uniform force.
Ms. Grey obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. She is also a member of various professional organizations such as the Nassau County Bar Association, the Queens Bar Association, and the Amistad Bar Association.
Dr. Robert Gonzalez - Deputy Commissioner of Training & Development
Dr. Robert Gonzalez was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Training & Development in December 2022. In this role, he will oversee and support all recruit training, in-service, leadership development, and promotional training for the Department’s uniformed and non-uniformed workforce. With over three decades of Law Enforcement experience, he began his career with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) where he held the ranks of Police Officer, Sergeant, and Lieutenant. After 23 years of service, he retired from the NYPD as an Assistant Commissioner of the Training Bureau. In 2021, Dr. Gonzalez was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Policy, Planning & Training in the Investigations Division at the New York State Attorney General’s Office. In this role, Dr. Gonzalez managed all training and development opportunities for all members of the Division throughout New York State.
Dr. Gonzalez holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Professional Studies from the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from St. John’s University. He is a Certified General Topics Instructor in Law Enforcement with the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS).
Dr. Anita Gupta - Chief Surgeon
Dr. Anita Gupta, DO, MPP, PharmD, FASA was appointed Chief Surgeon of our Health Management Division in April 2023.
Prior to joining DOC, Dr. Anita Gupta served as the first anesthesiologist appointed by the American Society of Anesthesiologists to advocate for the expanded use of naloxone (Narcan) at the US Food and Drug Administration. She was also the first woman anesthesiologist to co-chair the American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Prescription Opioid Abuse and the first anesthesiologist-pharmacist alumnae of both Princeton University and Harvard Business School. Dr. Anita Gupta has served federal and international organizations including the US Food and Drug Administration, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, US Department of Defense, World Economic Forum, and the US National Quality Forum, a partner of the both the US Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
As Chief Surgeon, Dr. Anita Gupta will oversee and direct the administration, delivery, and review of employee medical and health services. Additionally, Dr. Gupta will be responsible for reviewing and establishing relevant healthcare policies and operating procedures for the division and ensuring quality patient care, among other responsibilities.
She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Rutgers University; a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; Master of Public Policy degree in Health and a Certificate in Health and Health Policy from Princeton University, and a Certificate from Harvard Business School in General Management.
Patricia Lyons - Deputy Commissioner of Financial, Facilities and Fleet Administration
Patricia Lyons was appointed Deputy Commissioner overseeing Financial, Facilities and Fleet Administration in December 2019. Her portfolio includes Budget Management and Planning, Central Office of Procurement, Facility Maintenance and Repair Division, Fleet Maintenance and Operations Unit, and the Central Warehouse Operations Division. Ms. Lyons career in the Department began in January 2013 as the Assistant Commissioner for Financial Management and Budget Administration with subsequent promotion to the Associate Commissioner for Budget Management and Planning in December 2015.
Deputy Commissioner Lyons brings to the Department over 20 years of experience in fiscal and operational management in New York City. She began her career at the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as an Assistant Budget Analyst in May 1999. Ms. Lyons moved on from her position as a Senior Budget Analyst at OMB in February 2004 to become the Director of the Management and Budget Analysis Section at the New York City Police Department. In September 2008, she assumed the position of PlaNYC Budget Administrator at the New York City Department of Transportation and was promoted to the Deputy Executive Director of Financial Management and Analysis in April 2011.
Ms. Lyons holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with a minor in Sociology from Queens College of the City University of New York..
Christopher L. Miller - Deputy Commissioner of Classification, Custody Management, and Facility Operations
Christopher L. Miller was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Classification, Custody Management, and Facility Operations in July 2022.
Mr. Miller will be responsible for ensuring that individuals are properly housed when they enter DOC custody according to their correctional risk levels with the primary purpose of successful community integration. He will also oversee and manage the classification of individuals in custody.
With over 35 years of law enforcement and supervisory experience, Mr. Miller has consistently progressed throughout his career and remained dedicated to the people he served. He began his career at the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), where he served as a Correction Officer in multiple state prisons. After 10 years as a Correction Officer, he was promoted to a Correction Lieutenant, and a Correction Captain, two of the highest-level uniform roles. As a Lieutenant and then a Captain, he supervised correction officers in maintaining the security of all people in DOCCS custody.
In 2007, he was promoted to Deputy Superintendent for Security, the highest uniformed rank, at two DOCCS facilities, and in 2014 he was appointed as Superintendent of DOCCS’ Great Meadow Correctional Facility. After eight years in that role, he became the Assistant Commissioner for Facility Operations at DOCCS Central Office where he had direct oversight of the security operations of 16 facilities.
DC Miller holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Political Science from the State University of New York at Albany and an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice from SUNY Columbia Greene Community College.
James N. Saunders - Deputy Commissioner of Health Affairs
James N. Saunders Esq. was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Health Affairs in February 2023.
Mr. Saunders has over twenty-five years of experience working with municipal agencies in healthcare operations and healthcare compliance. Prior to his current role, he served as the Deputy General Counsel / Chief Health Care Compliance and Privacy Officer for the NYC Fire Department. He previously worked with NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H) including Bellevue Hospital Center, Coney Island Hospital, and the H+H Central Office in various executive-level positions. In his last position at H+H, he served as the First Deputy Corporate Compliance Officer in the Office of Corporate Compliance (OHCC). In this role, he oversaw the daily operation of the OHCC and supported the Chief Compliance Officer’s efforts to identify and mitigate fraud, waste, and abuse across all of H+H’s clinical operations.
In his role as Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Saunders will be responsible for overseeing the coordination of health services for people in custody and improving current operations. In addition, he will work closely with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation (H+H) to facilitate the delivery of safe and effective care to persons in custody.
He received his Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University’s School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Paul Shechtman, Deputy Commissioner of Legal Matters/General Counsel
Paul Shechtman was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Legal Matters/General Counsel in August 2022.
Prior to joining DOC, Mr. Shechtman worked in the private sector as a partner at the law firm of Bracewell LLC. In his over 40-year career as a criminal justice attorney, he has worked with the Lippman Commission on sentencing reform, was the main architect of the New York State Sentencing Reform Act of 1995, and spearheaded the Sex Offender Registration Act.
In his role, Mr. Shechtman oversees the legal division and serves as the key legal and policy advisor on all operational, and administrative issues impacting the department and formulates policy on many complex and sensitive legal issues and procedures as they affect the department. Additionally, he serves as the legal advisor to the executive staff and the department and as the liaison to other federal, state, and local government agencies, including the New York City Law Department, State, and Federal prosecutors, the New York State Commission on Correction, the New York City Board of Correction, and the courts. Mr. Shechtman is also responsible for setting performance goals, objectives, and priorities for all legal division staff.
DC Shechtman received his law degree from Harvard Law where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, a master’s degree from Oxford University, and a bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College. He is a recipient of a Rhode’s Scholarship and the Thomas J. Watson Travelling Fellowship.
Francis Torres - Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Programs and Community Partnerships
Francis Torres was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Programs and Community Partnerships in September 2021. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Torres served as Assistant Commissioner of Education and Youth Advocacy Services since November 2015. As Deputy Commissioner, Ms. Torres directly supports the Commissioner while developing, managing, and enhancing program opportunities for individuals in custody, while fostering strong partnerships with community providers and volunteers.
Before joining the Department of Correction in October 2002, Ms. Torres worked for the City University of New York in various capacities all while providing educational, vocational, and rehabilitation opportunities to individuals in custody, at-risk populations and various community centers. Throughout her work at the Department, she has advocated for and supported uniformed and non-uniformed staff alike. She has over 29 years of professional experience in the field of social services. Ms. Torres earned her Master of Arts Degree in Spanish Literature from the City University of New York.
Joshua Young - Deputy Commissioner of Management Analysis & Planning
Joshua Young was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Management Analysis & Planning in April 2022. DC Young will be responsible for operational procedures and agency-wide policies that impact department operations as well as develop and assess budget and resource needs for critical department-wide programs, directing and overseeing in-depth analysis, reporting, and the dissemination of statistics related to the agency’s goals and objectives. furthermore, DC young will act as the department’s liaison with the mayor’s office and oversee and direct the preparation of management reports containing detailed quantitative analysis of key statistical indicators monitored by the mayor’s office.
DC Young has delivered large-scale transformation initiatives in every major branch of the criminal justice system. DC Young brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that includes; developing technological solutions and evidence based strategies to improve jail operations and services. Before joining the department, DC Young was the Deputy Senior Vice President of Justice Initiatives for the Center for Policing Equity (CPE). DC Young was responsible for strategic planning, leading cross-functional initiatives, organizational design, and change management in this position.
Mr. Young also served as a police supervisor, SWAT Operator, and Undercover Detective in Southern California. DC Young was the first known line-level police officer to successfully integrate a major randomized controlled trial (RCT) within a policing organization. This mega-study was one of the largest multi-site RCTs in the history of criminal justice research.
DC Young graduated with a master’s degree in Applied Criminology and Police Management from The University of Cambridge (U.K.). He is also an Executive Fellow at the National Police Foundation, and a LEADS scholar with the National Institute of Justice.
Sherrie Rembert- Assistant Chief of Administration
Sherrie Rembert was appointed Assistant Chief of Administration in April 2021. She previously served in this capacity as Acting Assistant Chief since the spring of 2020. Prior to joining DOC, Chief Rembert was a member of the Armed Forces Reserve, having served in Operations Iraqi Freedom. She began her career with the Department as a correction officer in 1997. Her first assigned command was the James A. Thomas Center (JATC). In October 2005, she was promoted to the rank of captain and transferred to the George Motchan Detention Center (GMDC). Chief Rembert exhibited an exceptional aptitude for administration and was subsequently transferred to the Chief of Department’s office as an executive officer from 2016-2017. She was recognized for her work ethic and was subsequently promoted to the rank of deputy warden in 2017, where she was assigned to the Otis Bantum Correctional Center (OBCC). During her tenure at the OBCC, she implemented the Sustainability, Expectation, Accountability, Tour, Train, Teach (S.E.A.T.) initiative that was implemented for the purpose of boosting morale and reducing violence. In July 2019, Sherrie Rembert held the title of Acting Warden of the Criminal Justice Bureau, where she was responsible for all court commands and the Transportation Division. In February 2020, Sherrie Rembert was promoted to Warden of the Criminal Justice Bureau. She possesses a Bachelor of Science in Correction Administration from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and an Associate of Applied Science in Human Service from the New York City Technical College.