Howard County Executive Ken Ulman has named Jack Kavanagh, deputy director for the Howard County Department of Corrections, as acting director for the department.

Kavanagh will take over the post Tuesday, replacing Melanie C. Pereira, who is retiring Monday after 10 years as director. Kavanagh, 52, has served as deputy director for five years and is responsible for overseeing security operations, staff training, emergency preparedness and compliance with correctional standards.

"It is an honor and a privilege to accept this position; I really and truly am looking forward to becoming part of this administration," Kavanagh said in a statement. "I promised Ken Ulman that I will work 24/7 to continue the great work Melanie started. Howard County has an outstanding group of correctional professionals at the Department of Corrections, and I look forward to this opportunity to continue working with them."

Before coming to Howard County, Kavanagh worked for the Maryland Division of Corrections for 24 years, most recently as assistant commissioner at the division's headquarters.

"I have every confidence that Jack Kavanagh has both the experience and the ability to provide the type of continuity that I believe is critical to the detention center's operation," Ulman said in a statement. "Melanie has been an innovative leader, so Jack has a tough act to follow, but I believe he is up to the challenge."

Kavanagh earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice at the University of Baltimore.

tyeesha.dixon@baltsun.com