2026 Governor's Ambassador Award Winners
Community Service and Volunteerism Award
Jennifer Woods, Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Jennifer Woods has demonstrated exceptional dedication to community service, completing more than 1,000 volunteer hours in Allen County since May 2025. She has consistently supported local residents by distributing food and school supplies, providing holiday meals, organizing clothing and supply drives, and responding to emergencies such as the winter ice storm. These efforts go beyond her assigned responsibilities and reflect her personal commitment to serving others. Her compassion, resilience, and servant leadership exemplify the highest ideals of public service.
Courage Award
Barry Butcher, Energy and Environment Cabinet (Awarded Posthumously)
Barry Butcher was a valued member of the Energy and Environment Cabinet who played a key role in Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization projects. After being diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, he continued his work with remarkable dedication, contributing to major projects such as the Pikeville Medical Center Cancer Center Expansion, where he later became one of the facility’s first patients. Despite undergoing extensive cancer treatment, Barry remained an important resource to his colleagues and continued serving the people of Kentucky. His perseverance, commitment, and passion for public service are the reasons his family is being honored with this recognition.
Customer Service Award
Sabrina Pierce, Kentucky State Police
Sabrina Pierce has taken on a key statewide role in resolving test score errors between the Driver Testing Branch and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. She has helped locate, verify, and correct scores for numerous customers, preventing them from being negatively impacted.
Her initiative, problem-solving, and dedication have improved the customer experience and provided
invaluable support to staff within the Driver Testing Branch and the Kentucky
Transportation Cabinet.. Her efforts go well beyond the normal responsibilities of a Driver Testing Region Supervisor and demonstrate an exceptional commitment to both customers and agency partners.
Kathy White, Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
Kathy White consistently demonstrates exceptional professionalism, compassion, and empathy when assisting grieving families at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central. As a primary point of contact, she patiently guides families through the interment process, documentation, and available services, helping reduce confusion and stress during a difficult time.
Her dedication goes beyond routine responsibilities and reflects a strong commitment to ensuring every veteran and their family receives dignity, respect, and compassionate support. Her professionalism and service have also strengthened the cemetery’s reputation within the veteran and local communities.
The Extra Mile Award
Emily McCarthy and Tasha Stewart, Public Protection Cabinet
Emily McCarthy and Tasha Stewart created and launched the Stop Scams initiative to help Kentuckians prevent, report, and recover from scams. Since its August 2025 launch, the program has grown to include a dedicated website, scam alerts reaching more than 30,000 subscribers, and a monthly newsletter providing current scam information.
They have also established partnerships with the Kentucky State Police, Better Business Bureau, and AARP, creating a broad network of resources. Their Pause, Check, Protect method gives Kentuckians a simple way to identify and avoid scams.
They accomplished this significant work in addition to their regular responsibilities as Public Information Officers, demonstrating exceptional initiative, determination, and commitment to protecting Kentucky citizens.
Team Kentucky Excellence Award
Secretary DJ Wasson, Public Protection Cabinet
Secretary Wasson consistently goes beyond her regular responsibilities to support Kentuckians affected by natural disasters and help communities recover and rebuild. She has expertly administered the $65 million Team Kentucky Emergency Relief Fund and played a critical role in the Governor’s High Ground Initiative, which will provide more than 500 families with safe, flood-resistant homes.
Despite the added responsibilities of managing ongoing construction projects in Eastern Kentucky, she remains focused on ensuring homes are completed to program standards and that families receive safe, stable housing. Her dedication has had a lasting impact on individuals and communities, helping protect Kentuckians and improve their quality of life during times of crisis.
Teamwork Award
Department of Revenue Integrated System (doris) Project, Finance and Administration Cabinet
Over five years, employees across the Kentucky Department of Revenue worked together to modernize the state’s tax system through the DORIS project. This department-wide effort required collaboration and commitment from leadership, managers, subject matter experts, frontline employees, testers, trainers, and customer service teams.
DORIS has created a more secure, accessible, and user-friendly tax experience by improving self-service options, increasing transparency and accuracy, reducing wait times, streamlining business registration, and strengthening taxpayer confidence.
Since launching, the system has helped register more than 2,800 new businesses and provides real-time assistance through a 50-agent Customer Contact Center. Ultimately, the DORIS Project Team delivered more than a modern tax system—they delivered a better experience for Kentucky taxpayers.
