LifeSkills, Inc. Appoints Former State Senator Whitney Westerfield as Director of Legal & Government Affairs
BOWLING GREEN, KY (January 3, 2025) – LifeSkills, Inc., a leading Community Mental Health Center serving 18 counties in Kentucky, today announced the appointment of former State Senator Whitney Westerfield as its new Director of Legal & Government Affairs, effective January 5, 2025.
Westerfield brings more than 18 years of legal experience and over a decade of distinguished public service to this role. During his 12 years as chairman of the Kentucky Senate Judiciary Committee, he earned statewide and national distinction as a transformative leader for Kentucky, particularly in the areas of data driven criminal justice reform, behavioral health policy, and community services.
“Whitney’s appointment represents a significant strategic addition to our leadership team,” said Joe Dan Beavers, LifeSkills, Inc. President/CEO . “His exceptional understanding of Kentucky’s legislative and regulatory landscape, combined with his proven ability to build consensus on complex issues, will be invaluable as we continue to grow our services and impact across Western Kentucky.”
In his new role as Director of Legal & Government Affairs, Westerfield will serve as a key member of LifeSkills’ leadership team, overseeing legal affairs and government relations initiatives. His responsibilities will include managing relationships with Medicaid Managed Care Organizations, providing guidance on internal legal matters, and ensuring organizational compliance across LifeSkills’ operations. Leveraging his legislative expertise and legal acumen, he will also lead the organization’s government
relations efforts, representing LifeSkills in policy discussions at local, state, and federal levels while building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders and regulatory agencies.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent the people of Kentucky in the legislature,” said Westerfield. “As I leave the Senate, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our Commonwealth in a new capacity, advancing
mental health and substance use recovery efforts that are vital to our communities. I look forward to working as part of the exceptional LifeSkills team to expand access to care, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that every Kentuckian in our service area has the resources they need to thrive.”
Prior to his legislative service, Westerfield maintained a successful private law practice serving clients across Western Kentucky, and worked as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney. He holds a Juris Doctor from Southern Illinois University and a Bachelor’s
degree in Communication from the University of Kentucky. He has been a member of both the Kentucky and Tennessee Bar Associations since 2006 and 2012, respectively.
A dedicated family man, Westerfield resides in Christian County with his wife Amanda and their five children: Hadley (10), Hayes (7), and newborn triplets Rhodes, Oliver, and Riley. His commitment to family life and community values aligns closely with LifeSkills’ mission of strengthening communities through integrated services and support.
About LifeSkills, Inc.
LifeSkills is a leading Community Mental Health Center serving 18 counties in south central and western Kentucky. The organization provides integrated behavioral health and developmental services, employing over 750 dedicated professionals. Following its 2020 merger with the Pennyroyal Center, LifeSkills continues to expand its impact across Western Kentucky communities, generating annual revenues of $110 million and strengthening its position as a crucial provider of behavioral health services in the region.
