Governor Maura Healey has named a new public safety secretary.

Gina Kwon has been appointed as Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS). In her new role, she will oversee more than a dozen state agencies consisting of 8,700 personnel and a $1.7 Billion annual budget.

The appointment of Kwon comes after the abrupt September retirement of former Secretary Terrence Reidy, who served under both Governor Healey and former Governor Charlie Baker.

The Governor’s office says Kwon has served as EOPSS undersecretary since February 2023, adding that she brings with her “significant prosecutorial and law enforcement experience at the state and local levels.”

“Gina Kwon is a veteran prosecutor and law enforcement leader with extensive experience in public safety,” Governor Healey said in a press release. “She has a record of bringing together law enforcement and community leaders to enhance public safety around our state.”

As Undersecretary, Kwon oversaw the transformation of state police leadership after multiple controversies put the agency in the spotlight, including the death of a recruit during academy training, the misconduct by Trooper Michael Proctor revealed during Karen Read murder trial, the Sandra Birchmore case, and a major overtime scandal.

Kwon also takes the reigns of the state’s public safety office as one of Governor Healey’s aides, Western Massachusetts Deputy Director LaMar Cook, faces cocaine trafficking and firearms charges after a massive drug bust at the Springfield state office two weeks ago.

“I’m grateful to Governor Healey for putting her confidence in me to serve the people of Massachusetts in this critical role, as well as to Interim Secretary Terrey and the entire team at EOPSS for their constant support and partnership,” said Kwon. “I look forward to working across the administration and across the state to strengthen relationships, support public safety and emergency response personnel, and improve community safety.”

Before joining the EOPSS, Kwon served as an assistant district attorney at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and at the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office.

Secretary Susan Terrey will remain in her role as Deputy Secretary and Undersecretary for Homeland Security.