Officers
WRJA Officers for 2026-2027
Officers are elected by a majority vote of WRJA members. We are committed to continuous training, sharing knowledge, and networking to assist each and every one of us in our day-to-day roles in corrections.
Listed below are our officers:
President
Captain Willie Smith / Western Virginia Regional Jail
Will Smith began his career in law enforcement in 2008 with the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office, where
he served as a Deputy. In March 2009, he continued his professional journey with the Western Virginia
Regional Jail, where he has demonstrated progressive leadership and a strong commitment to
correctional operations and professional development.
Throughout his tenure at the Western Virginia Regional Jail, Will has served in a variety of roles,
including Correctional Officer, Field Training Officer, Recreational Officer, Platoon Sergeant, Platoon
Lieutenant, and Platoon Captain. He currently serves as the Assistant Security Division Commander,
where he provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction in support of the facility’s security
operations.
Will holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Bluefield College and a Master of Arts
degree in Communications with an emphasis in Education from Grand Canyon University. His combined
operational experience and academic background reflect his dedication to excellence, leadership
development, and the advancement of professional standards within the field of corrections.
President Elect
Lieutenant MacKenzie Trenar / New River Valley Regional Jail
Lieutenant MacKenzie Trenar has served at the New River Valley Regional Jail for the past
decade, beginning her corrections career in 2015 as an officer in the Correctional Division. Over
the years, Lt. Trenar has earned numerous certifications and accolades while advancing through
the ranks. She became a certified Field Training Officer and earned her Master Jailor status in
2018. In 2019, she joined the Virginia Regional Jail Association and became a certified DCJS
General Instructor.
In 2020, Lt. Trenar was promoted to Corporal and took over supervision of the Training
Division. That same year, she became the agency’s first female Firearms Instructor—a milestone
in the jail's history. Her instructional credentials expanded in 2021 when she received
certifications as a Driving Instructor and Baton Instructor. In recognition of her outstanding work
and dedication to training, the New River Valley Criminal Justice Training Academy honored
her with the Chairman’s Award in 2022.
Lt. Trenar was promoted to Sergeant in 2023, serving as a Team Leader on the Emergency
Response Team, and earned her current rank of Lieutenant in 2024. She continues to play a key
leadership role in training, emergency operations, and staff development within the facility.
Vice President
Ernie Alley / New River Valley Regional Jail
Sergeant Alley has been at The New River Valley Regional Jail for 16 years. Over the duration of these years Sergeant Alley has filled the roll of Field Training Officer and Master Jailor. He was a Housing Sergeant and has since become a sergeant in the Services Department. Sergeant Alley is a 2019 graduate of the Virginia Association of Regional Jails Leadership Initiative.
Treasurer
1st Lieutenant Joshua Heddings / Loudon County Sheriff’s Office
1st Lieutenant Joshua Heddings has over 22 years of law enforcement experience. He began his career in corrections in 1999 with the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office. In 2001, he transitioned to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and has worked through the ranks to where he is currently serving as the Staff Duty Officer for the corrections division. Lt. Heddings has experience in court security, corrections, administration, information technology, community custody as well as serving in various supervisory/leadership roles throughout this career. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Liberty University and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from George Mason University. He has also an alumnus of the Professional Executive Leadership School (PELS session 46) in conjunction with the University of Richmond and has completed the FBI LEEDA Leadership Trilogy. He has also served on the Underwater Search and Evidence Recovery Team (USERT) since 2008.
Secretary
Sergeant Sanya Whitley-Watts / Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority – Lynchburg
Sergeant Sanya Whitley-Watts has dedicated 21 years of service to the Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority (BRRJA). Throughout her career, she has held a wide range of operational and supervisory positions, including housing unit officer, utility officer, lobby officer, and classification officer. She advanced to the rank of Corporal and later served as Classification Supervisor, demonstrating sustained leadership and expertise in inmate classification and facility operations.
Sergeant Whitley-Watts is a graduate of the Liberty University Front Line Supervisor Training Program and has completed extensive training in Objective Jail Classification. She serves the Authority as a Field Training Officer, General Instructor, and Crisis Intervention Instructor, contributing to staff development and professional standards. She currently serves as the Administrative Sergeant and PREA Coordinator for the BRRJA, where she oversees administrative functions and ensures compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act.
Immediate Past President
Deputy Superintendent Chris Hayes / Western Virginia Regional Jail
Deputy Superintendent Chris Hayes has been a member of the Western Virginia Regional Jail since its opening in 2009. He began his career in corrections with the Virginia Department of Corrections in 2007 and joined WVRJ as a correctional officer, working his way up through the ranks. He has served as the Services, Division Commander, Assistant Security Division Commander, Security Platoon Commander, among other roles.
Deputy Superintendent Hayes is a graduate of the Virginia Regional Jail Leadership Initiative, Class #3 of the Jail Executive Institute, and Class #25 of the National Jail Leadership Command Academy. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in Business Management and Leadership from Liberty University.
Prior to his corrections career, Deputy Superintendent Hayes served six years in the U.S. Army, including serving overseas during the War on Terrorism and the Iraq War. He spent most of his military service as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division—America’s Guard of Honor and the 18th Airborne Corps.