A program management and technology consultant with more than 25 years of experience in government health care will serve as the next director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. Zach Ramsey, who is also a licensed Kentucky attorney, will start Dec. 1 as the head of the administrative arm of the Kentucky court system.
Chief Justice of the Commonwealth Laurance B. VanMeter announced the new director during his final State of the Judiciary address Thursday to a legislative committee. He will retire from the bench Jan. 5, and Deputy Chief Justice Lambert will be sworn in as chief justice Jan. 6. As the incoming chief justice, Justice Lambert selected the new director.
“Mr. Ramsey brings to the branch a wealth of experience and knowledge from the private sector and state government,” Chief Justice VanMeter said. “He will be a valuable addition to the Kentucky Court of Justice.
“The role of the AOC director is integral to the judicial system’s daily operations. The director oversees the branch’s budget, nearly 3,300 employees throughout the state who execute the Judicial Branch’s programs, and the support services the AOC provides to Kentucky’s 412 elected justices, judges and circuit court clerks. I am confident that Chief Justice-elect Lambert has chosen the right person to take on this important role.”
Ramsey is an associate partner and account leader for IBM Consulting, where he’s worked since February 2018. He manages teams and programs that deliver technology solutions and other services to health care programs at the state and local government levels. His selection as director comes at a time when the Judicial Branch is focused on implementing a new court case management system and the next evolution of electronic case filing.
"I am excited about the opportunity to help lead the AOC as we continue to innovate and enhance services to the Kentucky Court of Justice and our unified court system," Ramsey said.
Ramsey was selected from more than 30 applicants after a national search of 30-plus days.
Prior to joining the private sector, he served in Kentucky state government for 12 years, first as an assistant general counsel for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (Department for Medicaid Services) from 1995-2001 and then as director of the Medicaid Program Integrity Division for the cabinet from 2001-08.
He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University and a juris doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law (now the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law).