Ambrose Wilson IV named secretary of public protection

Ambrose Wilson IV

Ambrose Wilson IV of Midway is Kentucky's new secretary of public protection. He started his new duties Friday, Nov. 7, after being appointed by Gov. Steve Beshear. He succeeded Larry Bond, the governor’s chief of staff, who had been acting secretary since Robert Vance resigned in May.

Wilson had been commissioner of the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction since 2012, and before that was deputy commissioner of the Department of Financial Institutions, both part of the Public Protection Cabinet. He has held office-management and human-resource positions in various parts of the private sector.

“Ambrose’s experience in human resources and management will be an invaluable asset to the cabinet,” Beshear said in a press release. “In addition, he brings a background in both public and private sectors that will well serve the critical role that Public Protection plays in monitoring and regulating a number of activities that impact nearly every Kentuckian, from the financial soundness of our state-chartered banks and investment companies to reviewing building permits and fire-safety inspections.”

Wilson said, “I am grateful to Gov. Beshear for this new opportunity to lead a team of 600 employees dedicated to public protection and public service.” The cabinet includes various quasi-independent agencies such as the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and the Department of Insurance.

Wilson is also the chairman of the Woodford County Board of Education. He told The Woodford Sun that he and his brother, a school-board member in Arkansas, learned public service from their father, former Midway Mayor Ambrose Wilson III. “Any time you can do things to enhance the lives of others, you need to take that opportunity. So it was instilled in us from the very beginning.”