Secretary Don Parkinson Announces Regina Stivers

as Deputy Secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Regina Stivers has been appointed the deputy secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, Secretary Don Parkinson announced today. Stivers brings years of Kentucky public service experience to the cabinet at both the state and federal levels.

"I am very pleased to have Regina Stivers join me in leading the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet," Parkinson said. "She is exceptionally qualified and will be instrumental in promoting the incredible tourism and cultural assets that we have here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Her knowledge of Kentucky as well as state and federal government will serve our cabinet well."

"I am honored to be in Governor Bevin's administration and look forward to working with him and Secretary Parkinson to promote tourism in our great Commonwealth and highlight our rich arts and heritage culture," said Stivers.

Stivers has served as the Central Kentucky field director for U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell since 2011. She held a similar position in Eastern Kentucky for former U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning from 2008-2010. In addition, she served in Governor Ernie Fletcher's administration as the director of boards and commissions.

Stivers is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and is a native of Whitesburg, Ky. (Letcher County). She lived in Rockcastle County for 24 years. She and her husband, Sen. Robert Stivers, share their time between Manchester and Frankfort. Together, they have 7 children and five grandchildren.

Her appointment is effective Jan. 11, 2016.

The Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet includes the Department of Travel, Department of Parks, Kentucky Horse Park, Kentucky State Fair Board, the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Kentucky Arts Council, the Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Heritage Council, Kentucky Artisans Center at Berea, the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, the Governor's School for the Arts, and the Office of Creative Services.