Kevin Kempf
Executive Director

Kempf began his career in 1995 as a correctional officer at Pocatello Women's Correctional Center in the State of Idaho. He went on to serve in a variety of positions including parole officer, investigator, section supervisor, district manager, warden, chief of prisons and deputy director. The Idaho Board of Correction appointed Kempf director of the department in December 2014.

As director, Kempf was responsible for the entirety of IDOC's operations including its 10 prisons, four community re-entry centers and seven probation and parole districts. The department has an annual budget of $220 million and employs nearly 2,000 corrections professionals. They are responsible for the incarceration and community supervision of 22,000 felony offenders.

Under Kempf's leadership, the Department of Correction is experiencing reform in almost every area. Projects like Justice Reinvestment, Justice Program Assessment and Restrictive Housing Reform will have many positive effects on the system and elevate IDOC as one of the best corrections agencies in the country.

During the summer of 2016 Kempf was chosen to represent Idaho and the United States in studying the correctional system in Norway and attending an international corrections conference in Romania.

In 2006, Kempf was appointed to the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision. The commission is the national organization that oversees the transfer and relocation of felony offenders across state lines. During Kempf's six years as Idaho's representative, his peers twice elected him to leadership positions. He first served as treasurer and later as vice president of the organization.

Kempf was an active member of the Association of State Correctional Administrators (ASCA). Kempf served as Chairman of the Program and Training Committee and Treasurer of the Western States ASCA.

In December 2016 Kempf was chosen as the Executive Director of the Association of State Correctional Administrators (ASCA). ASCA members are the leaders of each U.S. state correctional system including Los Angeles County, New York City, Philadelphia, the District of Columbia, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and any United States territory, possession, and/or commonwealth.

The Governor of the State of Idaho, C.L. Butch Otter, named December 16th "Kevin Kempf" day in Idaho for his tireless work and dedication to public safety.

Josh Tewalt
Director of Operations

Josh Tewalt brings a unique skill set to ASCA having served two Idaho Governors, a U.S. Congressman, the State of Idaho, as well as numerous groups and organizations. During his career, Tewalt has overseen fundraising for and management of local, state and federal political campaigns; helped one of Idaho's largest non-profit trade associations; and served in leadership positions with the Idaho Department of Correction. Tewalt's diverse background combines nearly two decades of federal, state and local political and policy experience with association management and practical corrections leadership. His ability to understand the nexus of politics and policy, coupled with an innovative approach to problem solving, has made his advice and counsel highly sought after.

An Idaho native, Tewalt worked for former Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne, with focus on education and agriculture policy, advance work, and communications. Tewalt left the Governor's Office to join then-Congressman C. L. "Butch" Otter where he held the position of Field Representative. In that capacity, Tewalt specialized in agriculture and natural resources policy, Clean Water Act, public land use policy and federal regulatory affairs.

Tewalt was hired by the Idaho Cattle Association, a non-profit trade association representing the second largest contributor to Idaho's agriculture economy. Initially hired as director of government and regulatory affairs, Tewalt later was tapped as Executive Vice President where he was responsible for managing the day to day operations of the association, fundraising, strategic initiatives and managing the association's political action committee. He also was responsible for advancing the association's interests with lawmakers in Idaho and Washington, D.C.

Tewalt's return to state service also reunited him with C.L. "Butch" Otter, who was elected Idaho's Governor. In this capacity, he oversaw public safety issues as both a senior budget analyst and special assistant. Tewalt's work on public safety issues drew the attention of Corrections leaders, and he was hired as Deputy Chief of Prisons for the Idaho Department of Correction. Later, he was promoted to Administrator of Budget and Policy. In this role, Tewalt developed and oversaw innovative turnover reduction strategies, to include securing funding for a pay progression plan for uniformed corrections staff. He also was responsible for strategic initiatives, including shaping a department reorganization to better position the agency to meet future demands. Tewalt is passionate about corrections policy and, most of all, in representing the proud men and women who public safety their chosen way of life.

Josh and his wife, Chanel, own and operate a livestock operation in Meridian, Idaho. They have two young children, a daughter, Rowan (4), and a son, August (1).

Jill Stewart
Project Manager

Jill was born and raised in Boise, Idaho. After graduating High School Jill signed with a modeling and talent agency in Los Angeles, CA and pursued this career before returning back to Idaho to attend Boise State University.

While in college Jill worked in the retail industry and due to her outgoing personality, attention to detail, and creative ideas she quickly promoted to merchandising and leadership roles.

In 2011 Jill opened up her own business that she still operates today. Her success comes from a diverse background in marketing, business management, networking, and event planning. These skills will serve ASCA well!

In 2014, after being a team representative for many years, Jill was asked to head up the Sierra Vista Women’s Soccer league (SVWSL). During her time with SVWSL, Jill served in many capacities, including President, Registrar, Secretary, and Treasurer.

In 2015/16 Jill worked at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia, New Mexico before moving back to Idaho.

Jill is most proud of her accomplishments as a wife and mother to her four children.

Wayne Choinski
Project Manager

Wayne Choinski has been a senior associate with ASCA since 2010. His correctional experience includes having served the Connecticut Department of Correction for over 27 years as a senior administrator at several large correctional institutions, the senior administrator for community corrections, and a regional administrator responsible for the oversight of nine correctional facilities including jails. In his role as a regional administrator, he served as a member of the state legislative committee on correctional staff safety.

Wayne has consulted on collaborative projects with RAND Corporation, The Council of State Governments, and The Pew Research Center in addition to assisting with the facilitation of ASCA training programs and committee meetings.

Recent work includes: Team lead for CDCR HDSP Culture Assessment; Project Manager for CT DOC York CI Culture Assessment; Project manager for an independent review of staff safety initiatives within the Washington State Department of Corrections; Project manager for operational staffing assessments for Florida Department of Corrections, New Mexico Corrections Department, Vermont Department of Corrections, Oregon Department of Corrections, and Nevada Department of Corrections; RAND Corporation Prison Closings Study; Independent assessment of a staff homicide at CO DOC; Technical assistance for HI DPS regarding use of disciplinary and administrative segregation in their prisons and jails; Master plan development for the relocation of the Draper, UT prison complex; Master plan development for the Hawaii Department of Public Safety; Master plan development for the Philadelphia Prison System; and Detention standards compliance audits for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Katie Lamb
Office Manager

Katie Lamb is an Idaho native, born and raised in Coeur d'Alene. While attending Coeur d'Alene High School she was employed with the SL Start Corp., a company that deals with disabled children. After graduating High School, Katie relocated to Eugene, Oregon and attended the University of Oregon to study Psychology and Social work. While attending college she worked as a Developmental Therapist specializing in children with severe autism. During that time she gained vast knowledge of human physical development, cognitive, social, personal and emotional growth.

After years of working with disabled children, Ms. Lamb began a career as an Event Planner. Her main responsibilities included coordinating meetings, conventions and special events such as weddings and fundraisers.

Although she enjoyed her time working as an Event Planner she chose to stay home to raise her son. During this time, she was very involved with her son's life which included several hours of volunteer service. She was actively involved with the PTO, coordinating fundraisers, managing the school store, planning holiday events and implementing positive changes in regards to parent involvement within the PTO.

Katie returned to the workforce in 2015 as a Youth Development Professional at the Meridian Boys and Girls Club. While employed with the Club she designed and implemented 3 successful targeted programs, as well as help organize and open up an additional summer program for the children. This led to her promotion to the position of Membership Director and Volunteer Coordinator.

In 2017 she decided to challenge herself by accepting the position of Office Manager at ASCA. Her skills as an event planner along with directing the Club will benefit ASCA in many ways. Although she no longer is employed with the Boys and Girls Club her heart is still with the children and realizes the invaluable service the club has to our community.