The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Ken Beaver as the new warden of the Piedmont Correctional Institution in Salisbury.
Beaver had been the warden at Alexander Correctional Institution in Taylorsville since 2017.
“Warden Beaver is a proven leader with hands-on experience running large prisons,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “He brings common sense, exceptional knowledge and remarkable organizational and leadership skills to his new post.”
In his new position, Beaver is responsible for all operations at the prison, which houses male medium and minimum custody offenders and a Correction Enterprise reupholstery operation. The prison also provides classes in auto body repair, masonry, basic adult education, and a course to prepare for the high school equivalency exam. A higher education program is offered through Guilford College.
A 28-year veteran employee to state government, Beaver began his career as a correctional officer at Piedmont Correctional in 1991. He advanced to the rank of captain at the facility before he was promoted to assistant warden in 2012 at Lanesboro (now Anson) Correctional Institution.
Beaver holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wingate University and is a graduate of the year-long Department of Public Safety’s Correctional Leadership Development Program. He is a certified corrections general instructor.
He is a member of the North American Association of Wardens and Superintendents and is active both in his church and in the North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics.
His hobbies include cycling, golf and running half-marathons.
In his new position, his immediate goals are to recruit and retain staff to operate the safest and secure facility possible for both staff and offenders, to build a motivational management team through trust and leadership, and to develop the staff through team building.