Warden Manuel E. Portillo commenced his tenure at the Nevada Department of Corrections in July 2005. His educational journey encompasses an Associate Degree in Administration of Justice from Riverside City College in 2002, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Phoenix in 2011, and an Associate Degree from the Community College of the Air Force in 2019. Presently pursuing an Associate Degree in Social Work with a focus on criminal justice, Portillo ascended through various roles from Correctional Officer to Senior Correctional Officer, Sergeant, and Lieutenant. Notably, he oversaw the Southern Correctional Emergency Response Team as a sergeant in 2017 and as a lieutenant from 2020 to 2023.

Portillo's extensive service spans the United States Air Force from 1997 to 2005 and the US Air Force Reserve from 2005 to 2021. Over the course of his career, he completed five deployments to Kuwait, Pakistan, and Oman, culminating in retirement as a Master Sergeant.

With a rich background in the military, correctional expertise, and a commitment to ongoing education, Warden Portillo stands poised to significantly contribute to our institution and the overarching agency.  

Kimberley McCoy is Associate Warden at Southern Desert Correctional Center. Ms. McCoy has dedicated 18 years of service to the Department.

Throughout her career, she has demonstrated remarkable commitment, progressing from her initial roles in medical, mental health, and classification. She has held several positions, including Administrative Assistant, Health Information Coordinator, and Caseworker I, II, and III, as well as serving as the PREA Compliance Manager for both Three Lakes Valley Conservation Camp and Southern Desert Correctional Center. Ms. McCoy holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Public Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, along with an Associate of Arts Degree in Civil and Architectural Drafting and Criminal Justice from the College of Southern Nevada.

Her contributions have not gone unnoticed; Ms. McCoy has received numerous accolades, including Employee of the Year in 2007 and 2013, and Supervisor of the Year in 2018. In 2020, she was appointed to the Board of Parole Commissioners, a position she respectfully declined in pursuit of her aspiration to become an Associate Warden with the Nevada Department of Corrections.  

Ms. McCoy’s strengths in time management, multitasking, delegation, leadership, coordination, and teamwork have been invaluable to our Department.

Associate Warden Julie Williams was raised in San Bernardino County, California. Through hard work and dedication, she not only earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice From ITT Technical Institute in 2010, but she also graduated as valedictorian.

Julie’s career with the Nevada Department of Corrections began in 2012 at Ely State Prison as a Correctional Officer Trainee. After completing just 6 months as a Trainee, she progressed to Correctional Officer as a result of her degree. In 2014 she was promoted to Senior Correctional Officer where she remained for two years until promoting to the rank of Sergeant at High Desert State Prison in 2016. As Sergeant, Julie gained
experience in Shift Command, Visitation, and Prison Industries. In 2018 she was promoted to Lieutenant at High Desert State Prison and continued to excel in Shift Command, Quad Management, and Property/Intake. Julie’s effective management and leadership skills have proven beneficial to the Department and she served as Acting Associate Warden on several occasions. Her observation and critical thinking abilities paved the way for her selection as Associate Warden at High Desert State Prison in 2021.
Before her correctional career, Julie worked for two years as a Paralegal with a Las Vegas law firm. After a brief trial period, she began training as the firm’s second paralegal. During her time as a paralegal, she assisted the attorney in preparing and organizing various legal documents for upcoming cases and trials. Her focus included preparing affidavits and correspondence, discussing case details with clients, and organizing various files for numerous legal proceedings. She excelled at drafting legal documents such as affidavits, subpoenas, motions, contracts, complaints, briefs, and orders. Julie also assisted with trial preparation such as arranging client appointments, interviewing clients and witnesses, creating discovery documents, and submitting
documents to state and federal courts.
For the past four years, Julie has volunteered to partner with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Correctional Staff to assist in acquiring and distributing well over $40,000 in combined monetary and physical donations each Christmas to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children in Boulder City, Nevada.