Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Members

Senior Staff
The following is a list of senior staff in the Justice and Public Safety Cabinets, for a staff directory, Click Here

John Tilley
Cabinet Secretary - A native of Hopkinsville, Tilley is a former prosecutor who is nationally recognized for his work in the arenas of criminal justice reform and drug control policy. Secretary Tilley served five terms in the Kentucky House of Representatives and chaired the House Judiciary Committee from 2009 until his appointment.

During his legislative tenure, He sponsored key pieces of legislation including the landmark criminal justice reform bill, which triggered a national model for change. Secretary Tilley also led efforts to combat synthetic and prescription drugs. He has traveled internationally to speak on criminal justice reform and drug control policy and has received numerous awards and national recognition. His vision for the Cabinet is to protect citizens, restore victims and reform wrongdoers; all in a focused environment where everything is measured for accountability and performance.

Jonathan Grate
Deputy Secretary. He previously served 21 years with the Legislative Research Commission, where he headed up the nonpartisan staff assigned to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.

During his tenure with LRC, Deputy Secretary Grate drafted legislation on a nonpartisan basis for all members of the General Assembly: Deputy Secretary Grate received his bachelor's and juris doctor degrees from the University of Kentucky. He is a life-long resident of Woodford County.