Rome Native Named New Director of Facilities Operations

Commissioner : Brian Owens

Director of Public Affairs : Joan Heath

Rick Jacobs Named

Forsyth - Commissioner Brian Owens announced the appointment of Rick Jacobs as Director of Facilities Operations effective January 1, 2014. Jacobs will succeed current Director Randy Tillman upon his upcoming retirement. As Director, Jacobs will oversee the Department's prisons, probation detention centers, transitional centers and boot camp. He will also be responsible for the employees who serve in Facilities Operations.

"Rick has been committed to carrying out the Department's mission since 1992," said Commissioner Brian Owens. "His knowledge and professionalism have proved invaluable and will serve him well as Facilities Director."

In 1984, he joined the Rome Police Department as a Patrol Officer and went on to serve as a Floyd County Probation Officer. In 1992, Jacobs began his career with the Department as a Probation Officer. During his career with the agency, Jacobs has served as a Probation Officer II, Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent, Director of Special Operations, Warden, and North Area Field Operations Manager. In July 2013, he was appointed to serve as the Deputy Director of Facilities Operations, where he most recently served.

Jacobs received a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University and a Master's degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University. He is a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College and serves as an adjunct professor in Criminal Justice and Management at Columbus State University. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he provided protection to foreign dignitaries and high-ranking governmental personnel.

The GDC has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 60,000 state prisoners and more than 160,000 probationers. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 12,000 employees.

For more information on the GDC call 478-992-5247 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.