Gene Kiser
Deputy Executive Director of Grants & Finance Services
Gene Kiser joined the Office of Homeland Security in the position of Deputy Executive Director in January 2008. He brings extensive knowledge and experience to the Grant and Financial Services section within the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security. Mr. Kiser has over 33 years of professional experience in Public Administration, Management and Implementation of State, Local and Federal Programs.
Gene has served in the Cabinet for Health and Human Services as a Division Director of the State Medicaid Program, a Field Services Manager and as an Administrative Hearing Officer. During his service at the Governor’s Office for Local Development he was the State Local Debt Officer, a Local Government Advisor and a Local Government Branch Manager. While there, he developed the Kentucky Body Armor Program, which since legislative enactment 1998, has provided millions of dollars to city and county police departments, county sheriff departments and state university police departments.
Gene is a graduate of Morehead State University and is a Certified Hearing Official, a Certified Mediator and a Certified CCDW Instructor. He is active in a number of professional and community organizations such as the Lexington Citizen’s Fire and Police Academies.
Gene was born in Harlan, Kentucky and currently resides in Lexington with his wife Brenda.
Email: Gene.Kiser@ky.gov
Holly Downey
Holly Downey joined the team in January of 2007. She works as an Executive Assistant for the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security. She brings with her five years of financial experience which she received working for a bank in the Shelbyville Community.
Email: Holly.Downey@ky.gov
Susan Wilkerson
Susan Wilkerson is the Grants Director for the Office of Homeland Security. She was formerly associated with the University of Kentucky's Martin School of Public Policy and Administration where she administered mitigation grants for the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management. Susan holds an MPA from Troy State University, Alabama, and a BA from Cumberland College. She and her husband Dan live in Versailles.
Email: Susan.Wilkerson@ky.gov
Kara Couch
Kara Couch serves as the Financial Management Officer for the Office of Homeland Security. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Management from Midway College. Prior to joining the office in August, 2005, Mrs. Couch was a manager for a Real Estate and Construction Company in Frankfort. Mrs. Couch is a native of Kentucky and currently resides in Lexington with her husband, Zack.
Email: Kara.Couch@ky.gov
Jason Childers
Jason Childers joined the Office of Homeland Security in March of 2008 and works as a Grants Manager in the Grants and Finance Division. Jason received a BA in Accounting from Transylvania University and a Masters in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Kentucky. In addition, Jason has a professional background in accounting and insurance underwriting. Jason currently lives in Lexington.
Email: Jason.Childers@ky.gov
Nina Parker
Nina Parker joined the Office of Homeland Security in August 2004. She graduated from Kentucky State University with Bachelor of Science majoring in Business Management. She has worked for state government since 1977 in various positions including Research Analyst, Computer Operations Liaison/Analyst and Program Monitor with the Department for Employment Services. In 1992 she was advanced to a position in Social Services as a Contracts & Grants Specialist. Ms. Parker brings extensive knowledge of grants, contracts and state government experience to her position with the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security.
Ms Parker has been a member of the U. S. Navy Reserves since 1987, advancing in rank to Petty Officer First Class Yeoman. She has served on special projects in Germany, Thailand, Italy, Bahrain, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Hawaii, as well as training activities conus USA. In 2005, YN1 Parker received orders to mobilize with the U.S. Navy Customs Papa Battalion to serve as a U.S. Customs Border Clearing Agent. She was trained by the U.S. Dept of Homeland Security and the Dept of Agriculture before arriving in Kuwait. She traveled to every camp in Kuwait and on occasion into Iraq with the responsibility of inspecting large equipment, weapons, armor, ammo and personal gear being shipped back to the U.S. She received an honorable discharge upon retiring after 21 years on March 1, 2008.
Email: NinaN.Parker@ky.gov
Dan Robinett
A native of Harlan County, Kentucky. Dan received his Bachelor of Arts with a major in political science from the University of Kentucky. Over the last six years he has worked in several other states around the country in the private sector specializing in political operations and financial management. Dan joined the Grants and Finance department of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security as a Grants Manager in May 2008.
Dan.Robinett@ky.gov
Allen Wash
Allen Wash graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 2001 with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and a minor in Business Administration. He spent two years in Florida working as a sales representative before moving back to Kentucky. Allen is originally from Nicholasville, but now resides in Frankfort. He has been with the office since May 2005.
Email: Allen.Wash@ky.gov