Chief Deputy John Hudson
Prior to joining the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office in 2002, John Hudson worked for 13 years in the private sector for four different Fortune 500 companies: Texas Instruments, Data General, EMC, and Storage Technologies. His marketing and management roles with these companies took him to various locations across the country including Dallas, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; Huntsville, Alabama; and finally, Nashville. This experience gave him a good foundation in understanding both the business side of an organization as well as the support services related to operations.
John started his work in the public sector fifteen years ago as the DCSO Chief of Administration. His responsibilities include managing and overseeing Human Resources, Finance, Technology, Legal, Training, and Records Divisions of the Sheriff’s Office. He is also tasked with overseeing and working with Metro Government officials in the development and implementation of DCSO’s annual budget and contracts with DCSO vendors.
John is a member of the American Correctional Association and a board member of Sertoma of Nashville. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Western Kentucky University and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
Chief of Staff Karla West
Karla West began her communications career as Assistant Press Secretary to former Tennessee Governor Ned McWherter. She joined the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office in 1994 as Director of Communications and was named Chief of Staff in 2018. She is responsible for all crisis and media management, employee communications/strategy, community engagement, the Sheriff’s Citizens’ Academy, and public communications including oversight of the agency’s internal/external websites as well as social media platforms. Additionally, Karla oversees the legal, standards, and investigations divisions. She serves on Sheriff Daron Hall’s executive management team and is involved with daily policy decisions and senior advisement.
Over the years, Karla has traveled the country as an instructor in media and public relations for the National Institute of Corrections; working with the nation’s prison and jail public information officers. Additionally, NIC’s Large Jail Network has sought her media expertise to advise the country’s corrections leaders. She serves as the DCSO’s Metropolitan Council liaison and served 10 years as the state legislative liaison. Karla’s proactive public relations efforts earned an Apollo Award by the Public Relations Society of America. Her corrections-related articles have been featured in a variety of national publications.
Karla holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Tennessee Technological University.
Chief of Corrections Ruby Joyner
Ruby Joyner began her career with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office in 1999 and has assumed numerous roles including Day Reporting Center Treatment Supervisor, Day Reporting Center Director, Offender Re-entry Center Administrator, and Director of Training. Ruby’s previous role was Maximum Correctional Center-Males and Correctional Development Center-Females Administrator prior to being named Chief of Corrections.
Ruby earned a dual bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Work in 1995 from Trevecca University. In 1996, she graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Social Work accelerated master’s program. She was presented with the University of Tennessee’s Lucille Evans Dean Service Award in 2000. Ruby has authored several articles for professional publications including the American Correctional Association’s (ACA) Corrections Today magazine and the American Jail Association’s American Jails magazine. Other awards and achievements include: Certified Jail Manager, ACA Correctional Behavioral Health Certification (CBHC), ACA Proctor Designation, Certified Corrections Manager, Tennessee Department of Corrections Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, the Correctional Management Institute in Texas Emerging Senior Leadership training program.
Chief of Operations Michael Raines
Mike Raines began his career with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office in 1987 as a Correctional Officer assigned to the Hill Detention Center. In addition to his time at HDC, he also worked at the former Criminal Justice Center, and the former Pre-Release Center. In 1994, he transferred to the Community Services Division as a Corporal and worked his way through the ranks serving as a Corporal, Sergeant, and Lieutenant. He will continue working as the Director of Correctional Services managing Correctional Services, Maintenance, Warehouse, Fleet Management, and Laundry Divisions.
On Nov. 1, 2023, Mike Raines became our Chief of Operations overseeing Transportation & Court Services, Sheriff’s Support Center, Civil Warrants, Security, Security Services, and our Special Operations Response Team (S.O.R.T.). Mike holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Human Relations from Trevecca Nazarene University and is a 2012 graduate of the National Institute of Corrections Academy Executive Excellence Program.