Former Kentucky Derby Festival CEO Mike Berry to be state's tourism, arts secretary

Mike Berry, the recently retired CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival, will be Kentucky's new secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, Gov.-elect Andy Beshear announced Friday.  

Berry led the planning for the iconic Louisville tourism event for 22 years.

“As a lifelong Kentuckian and someone who has been in the business of drawing people to the commonwealth for the past 33 years, I know how important the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet is to our economy and our brand," Berry said. "We will build on our past successes and stay true to our mission of providing service to our visitors and to Kentuckians from all 120 counties.”

Beshear also announced Friday that Daniel Cameron, the Republican who won the race for attorney general last month, will be appointed to fill out the remaining weeks of Beshear's term in that office beginning Dec. 17. 

“I have had the privilege of knowing Attorney General-elect Daniel Cameron for years,” Beshear said in a press release. “... I am confident that Daniel and I will be able to work together and find common ground to move Kentucky forward.”

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Asked who would lead the attorney general's office from the time he is sworn in as governor on Tuesday and when Cameron takes over Dec. 17, spokeswoman Crystal Staley wrote in an email that "the office will be run in accordance with Kentucky state law," but did not immediately specify what that means.

In a statement, Cameron expressed his gratitude to voters and his appreciation for Beshear allowing him to take the oath of office early.

"We have assembled a strong, dedicated team that will work tirelessly from day one to improve public safety outcomes for every Kentucky community," Cameron said. "We will stem the tide of the drug epidemic, we will fight for life, and we will defend the laws of our commonwealth. Kentuckians deserve no less.”

Beshear also announced Friday that La Tasha Buckner will serve a dual role in his office.

Buckner, whom Beshear named as general counsel two weeks ago, will also serve as his chief of staff. Buckner currently runs the civil division in the Office of the Attorney General.

With the crafting of a new two-year budget near the top of the new administration's near-term priorities, Beshear named John Hicks as state budget director. Hicks has led the National Association of State Budget Officers since 2016, and previously served for 10 years as Kentucky's deputy budget director under three governors.

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Former state Sen. Dorsey Ridley, a Democrat from Henderson who was defeated last year, was named Beshear's director of legislative services

Holly McCoy-Johnson, who has served as the director of administrative services in Beshear's office over the last four years, was appointed secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet, the primary support agency for state government.

Also within the Finance Cabinet, Tom Miller was chosen to return as the commissioner of the Department of Revenue, a position he held under the administration of former Gov. Steve Beshear, Andy Beshear's father.

Susan Rieber, who had served as the chief of staff for former first lady Jane Beshear, will serve as the chief of staff for Lt. Gov.-elect Jacqueline Coleman. Rieber currently is the director of scheduling and special projects in the attorney general's office.

“With today’s announcements, Jacqueline and I are once again making sure we have a talented and experienced team ready to get to work swiftly to address the issues affecting all Kentucky families,” Beshear said. “I am proud to have this team in place to help us set a positive example in Frankfort — treating each other with respect, acting with integrity and governing with transparency.”

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Reach reporter Joe Sonka at jsonka@courierjournal.com or 502-582-4472 and follow him on Twitter at @joesonka. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courierjournal.com/subscribe.