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Department of Corrections Executive Leadership

Jared Hoy, Secretary

Jared Hoy serves the Department of Corrections (DOC) as Secretary, bringing over two-and-a-half decades of leadership and expertise in criminal justice, corrections, and organizational management. Throughout his career, Jared has been a steadfast advocate for evidence-based practices and systemic improvements. Jared is committed to fostering trust, enhancing stability, and driving efficiency within the Department to better serve individuals, staff, and communities.

Jared began his career in corrections in 1999 in Minnesota, holding roles including youth counselor, field agent, and research analyst. In 2007, he joined the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, supervising two community corrections offices in northern Wisconsin. Demonstrating a strong commitment to public safety and rehabilitation, he transitioned to Madison in 2012 as Program & Policy Chief for the Division of Community Corrections, where he played a pivotal role in shaping statewide policy initiatives.

Jared later moved into the Secretary's Office as Policy Initiatives Advisor, where he led the implementation of the state's evidence-based risk/need assessment. This initiative, grounded in research-based principles, strengthened the Department's ability to prioritize resources, improve public safety, and promote accountability. In 2018, he was appointed Assistant Administrator and subsequently Administrator in the Division of Management Services, where he guided key administrative functions -- including budget management, information technology, and infrastructure planning -- to align with the Department's evolving needs and long-term goals.

As Secretary, Jared is dedicated to advancing the Department's strategic vision, shaping policies that enhance operations, and ensuring alignment with best practices in public safety and rehabilitation. His leadership reflects a commitment to strengthening the Department's foundation while driving forward initiatives that balance accountability, innovation, and the evolving needs of Wisconsin's communities.

Jared holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in counseling and therapy. His work demonstrates a deep understanding of the complexities of corrections and a vision for continuous improvement that ensures the Department is well-positioned to meet future challenges.

Kari Beier, Deputy Secretary

A Wisconsin native, Kari Beier has dedicated her career to public service, bringing over two-and-a-half decades of leadership to the DOC. Kari has held a variety of leadership positions at DOC, the Universities of Wisconsin, and the Department of Administration (DOA). Prior to being appointed to her role as Deputy Secretary, Kari served as the Assistant Deputy Secretary for DOC where she served as Chief of Staff, and has been integral in fostering and growing relationships with external stakeholders.

Kari has spent most of her career as Human Resources Director for DOC. In that role she was a key advisor to leadership in many areas across both operations and HR. Specifically, she led efforts in policy writing and strategic planning, she restructured and reshaped HR operations under a shared service model governed by DOA, and she worked to address significant staffing shortfalls to include creating a dedicated recruiting team, increasing recruitment efforts and advocating for staff compensation which resulted in significant pay increases for uniformed staff. These increases, and the overall recruitment push, resulted in significant reductions in vacancy rates. Kari has experience in managing large teams as well as multi-million dollar budgets. Likewise, she has collaborated across jurisdictions including legislators, media, constituents, and executive leadership on various agency and enterprise initiatives.

Kari's work has always centered on people, whether supporting staff, improving operations, or enhancing safety for the communities we serve. As Deputy Secretary, Kari remains dedicated to continuing that focus by promoting transparency, teamwork and accountability across the Department. Under her leadership, Kari fosters a culture where people feel supported, informed, and empowered to deliver the highest-level of service to staff, the public and the individuals in our care and under our supervision. Kari uses research and evidence-based practices to guide operational improvements and help leaders lead with confidence. Kari's steady, people-first approach helps bring out the best of DOC's dedicated workforce and ensure that safety and integrity guide every decision.

Kari holds a Master of Business Administration from UW-La Crosse and a bachelor's degree in human resources management from UW-Eau Claire.

Ray Woodruff, Assistant Deputy Secretary

Ray Woodruff serves the DOC as Assistant Deputy Secretary, bringing more than 20 years of experience in corrections, reentry, community mental health, and strategic leadership. Ray's work in this space is rooted in the idea that everyone has the capacity to change, and that it is our responsibility as an agency to provide space and opportunity for individuals to be accountable and engaged in their rehabilitation.

Ray began his career working in community mental health in the Dayton, Ohio, area prior to joining the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction in 2005 as a Corrections Program Specialist where he provided case management and programming opportunities to incarcerated individuals. In 2009, he joined the Wisconsin Department of Corrections in the Division of Juvenile Corrections before shifting to providing programming at the Oakhill Correctional Institution in the Division of Adult Institutions. In 2013, he joined the Secretary's Office in the Reentry Unit serving as both the Reentry Employment Coordinator and subsequently the Employment Program Manager. In 2020, he was appointed Assistant Administrator in the Division of Management Services, and most recently Ray has served as the Department's Reentry Director, where he has provided internal and external guidance in the application of evidence-based practices and programs to support individuals as they transition from incarceration to the community.

As Assistant Deputy Secretary, Ray plans to continue his work with community partners and external stakeholders to ensure the Department remains committed to its mission of collaboration and providing opportunities for positive change and growth. Ray holds a bachelor's degree in psychology-criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Science in criminal justice-forensic psychology from Tiffin University.