Chief Deputy

Debra D. Gardner

Debra D. Gardner was appointed Chief Deputy December 19, 2011. Her responsibilities as Chief Deputy include oversight of the Department’s re-entry initiative, investigative services, and communications in addition to other duties.

Ms. Gardner is a public service veteran with more than 30 years of experience in the government sector. She comes to the Virginia Department of Corrections from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services where she served as Chief Deputy overseeing programs and services, research, and agency communications to support and promote the state’s varied criminal justice and public safety entities.

Gardner received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from North Carolina Central University and holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has also taught as an adjunct professor in graduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University.