July 18, 2017
New Changes within Georgia Correctional Industries
Commissioner: Gregory C. Dozier
Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath
Key position changes and reorganization
FORSYTH, Ga. – Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier announced that Chris Tiller would assume the role of Executive Director of Georgia Correctional Industries (GCI), effective July 16, 2017. Furthermore, he announced the promotion of Amy Pataluna to Deputy Executive Director and Brad Hooks to Chief Operating Officer of GCI, effective the same date. In addition to these key position changes, Commissioner Dozier unveiled plans of a new organizational structure for GCI, which will focus on business processes, sales and marketing, administrative support for their operations, and training for staff and offenders.
“We welcome Chris to our team, and congratulate both Amy and Brad on their new roles,” said Commissioner Dozier. “We are also excited to announce the new structure of GCI, as we continue to focus on improving processes to best serve GCI, GDC, and the great state of Georgia.”
Tiller began his career in 1986 at Milliken and Company, spending 10 years in manufacturing operations and four years in sales. In 2000, he joined The Jones Company Flash Foods Inc. Division as Director of Operations, where he most recently served. He graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1985 with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management.
Pataluna has 13 years combined experience with GDC Food and Farm Services and GCI, serving three years as State Dietitian Advisor, nine years as the State Food Service Administrator, and 11 months as Interim Executive Director for GCI. She is a registered and licensed Dietitian and graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics.
Hooks began his career with GDC, in 1995, as a Counselor at Emanuel Probation Detention Center (PDC). In 2009, he was promoted to serve as a Warden at both Emanuel PDC and Emanuel Transitional Center. He served in this capacity at different state prisons until his promotion to Assistant Executive Director of Operations for GCI in 2015. Hooks received an Associate of Arts degree from East Georgia College and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia Southern University.
In addition to these key position changes and the GCI’s reorganization, Commissioner Dozier announced the creation of a new position, Reentry Coordinator. The focus of this position will be on On-the-Job Training (OJT) programs. The responsibilities of this position will include the review of current training programs, the execution of developmental changes, and the formation of community partnerships centering around the reentry of offenders.
About the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC)
The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 52,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 10,500 employees. For more information on the GDC, call 478-992-5247 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.