Janie is a retired Circuit Judge who graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.A. in 1983 and a J.D. in 1986. She was the first woman elected as 24th Circuit Court Judge, consisting of Johnson, Lawrence & Martin Counties in Eastern Kentucky, where she served until January 2023. She now serves in the KY Retired Judges Program and conducts Felony Mediations.
Janie is Past President of the UK National Alumni Association and currently serves on its Board of Directors. She has been a long-standing member and Co-President of the UK Alumni Band, and served on its Board of Directors. She also currently performs with the Madison Community Band, the Bluegrass Wind Ensemble and the Pine Mountain Wind Symphony.
Janie received the UK Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award and the UK Law Alumni Association’s Distinguished Jurist Award. She is also a member of UK’s Women & Philanthropy, where she currently serves on the Leadership Council.
Janie was selected to the Leadership KY Class of 2024 and currently serves on the Leadership KY Board of Directors. She is Past President of the Paintsville Kiwanis Club and currently serves on its Board. She has also been inducted into the Paintsville High School Alumni Association’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni.
Janie and her husband, Frank Wells, a retired Technology Engineer for the Kentucky Dept. of Education, live in Staffordsville, Kentucky. They have one daughter, Dr. Katherine Wells, a physician at Ohio Health.