Todd E. Ishee, with over 35 years of experience in corrections and public safety, was appointed by Governor
Roy Cooper in 2022 as Cabinet Secretary of the newly formed North Carolina Department of Adult Correction
(NCDAC). He oversaw 30,000 incarcerated individuals, 85,000 offenders under community supervision, and
20,000 employees, focusing on safety, rehabilitation, and innovation, while managing a $2.1 billion budget.
The creation of NCDAC involved building a new leadership structure and essential divisions, such as HR, the
Controller’s Office, and Budgeting. Ishee prioritized recruiting skilled leaders, fostering collaboration, and
rebuilding staff trust through salary increases and a supportive work environment, helping retain experienced
personnel, attract new talent, and ensure the safety and rehabilitation of those under supervision.
Before this role, Todd was appointed as Commissioner of Prisons for the North Carolina Department of Public
Safety (2019-2022), where he managed 55 adult correctional facilities and led initiatives in prison reform,
violence reduction, improving quality of life for staff and technological advancements. He launched North
Carolina’s first Innovation Institute and expanded the use of various technologies to improve safety, efficiency
and offender quality of life.
Before his work in North Carolina, Todd Ishee spent three decades with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation
and Correction (ODRC), beginning his career as a corrections officer and advancing to senior leadership roles.
He served as Deputy Director for Reentry and Enterprise Development, Reginal Director and Warden of the
Ohio State Penitentiary. Throughout his tenure, Ishee was instrumental in the strategic planning and
development of Ohio’s correctional system.
Todd holds a BA in Organizational Management from Malone University and an AA in Individualized Studies
from Lorain County Community College, with additional leadership development from Ohio State University,
Cleveland State University, UNC Chapel Hill and the National Institute of Corrections. He also received his
Certified Public Manager from the National Certified Public Manager Consortium.
He earned several prestigious awards, including the Correctional Leaders Association’s Michael Francke Career
Achievement Award, the Honorary North Carolina Long Leaf Pine Award in 2024, the North Caroline Old North
State Award, and the State of Ohio Governor’s Award of Excellence. He was appointed to the National Institute
of Corrections Advisory Board by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. Currently, Todd serves as a
Commissioner on the American Correctional Association’s Commission on Accreditation (2021-2028) and
chaired the Correction Leaders Association’s Staff Wellness Committee (2022-2024).
Ishee has consulted on corrections reform and training with the U.S. Department of Justice, The Moss Group,
Inc., and the American Correctional Association. His work included leading PREA preparation teams,
conducting leadership training, and assessing correctional systems across the country. He has authored
numerous professional articles and publications for the corrections field.
After retiring in 2025 following a distinguished career, Ishee leaves behind a legacy of true commitment to
public safety, staff wellness, and offender reintegration. Throughout his career, he has driven reform and
helped shape modern correctional practices, always emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and effective
solutions for systemic change.