Doug Hogan, (502) 564-2611

Frankfort, KY--Governor Ernie Fletcher today announced the appointment of a new deputy secretary of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (EPPC). John W. Clay, a certified public accountant with 28 years of experience in financial management, moves into the position immediately.

Clay succeeds Erwin Roberts, whom Governor Fletcher appointed secretary of the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet.

Clay has most recently been executive director of the Office of Alcohol Beverage Control in the Department of Public Protection, part of the EPPC. To replace him, the Governor selected Lavoyed Hudgins, a law enforcement professional for 23 years.

Clay spent 17 years with Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky Inc., formerly Crane Distributing Co., most recently as its director of finance. He was secretary-treasurer and controller of Crane Distributing for 14 years, directing all treasury, financial, tax compliance, accounting and operational functions of the company. He was an accountant and tax manager in three accounting firms prior to joining Crane Distributing.

"John Clay brings a wealth of financial and managerial experience to a demanding post in one of the most diverse cabinet of our administration," Governor Fletcher stated. "I know he shares our vision of an able, efficient state government dedicated to the best possible public service."

Clay is a graduate of Georgetown College, where he received a bachelor's degree in business administration. He completed additional accounting courses at the University of Kentucky. He is a member of the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Kentucky Society of CPAs.

Hudgins, a native of Alabama, began his law enforcement career as a police officer in Montgomery, Ala. He later headed police departments in three Alabama cities - Orange Beach, Moody and Enterprise - as chief or director of public safety. He moved on to become chief of police in Clarkesville, Tenn., and then public safety manager for the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District.

Hudgins is a graduate of Liberty University, where he received a bachelor's degree in business administration, and the FBI National Academy. He most recently has been executive director of the Governor's Office of Scheduling and Advance.

"Lavoyed Hudgins' long years of experience in law enforcement will be an invaluable asset to the Office of Alcohol Beverage Control, which has a mission of regulating license holders and enforcing Kentucky's statutes and regulations on alcohol beverages," Governor Fletcher concluded.