Richard Gray, Chair
Consultant-Centric GroupSt. Louis, MO
Rgray@centricgp.com
Walter Ridley, Co-Chair
Ridley and Associates
Ft. Washington, MDRidleyw@hotmail.com
Mr. Ridley is the President/CEO of the RIDLEY GROUP and ASSOCIATES LLC in Fort Washington, Maryland. A Criminal Justice and Faith-Based Consulting Firm. With over 40 years of public service and an undaunted commitment to human service and community ministry, he has helped numerous organizations design solutions for complex problems. He is the Church Administrator Emeritus of Ebenezer AME Church in Ft. Washington, Md, where under the direction of his pastors, he was instrumental in developing programs and administrative systems that assisted Ebenezer A.M.E. Church to perform highly effective outreach and ministry, as it has dramatically grown its membership to 16,000. Mr. Ridley came to the Church Administrator position in 1996 after retiring from public service.
His public service career was as follows: Program Director of a female offender program, Director of a large substance abuse program for persons under the supervision of the U.S. Probation and Parole Agency in Washington, D.C., Assistant Warden, Warden, Chair of the District of Columbia Parole Board, Associate Director, D.C. Dept. of Corrections, Deputy Director, D.C. Dept. of Corrections and Director of the D. C. Dept. of Corrections.Mr. Ridley was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. He has done post and additional graduate study in criminal justice, public administration and church administration. Mr. Ridley served in the United States Army as an officer and Aviator assigned to posts in the United States, Europe and South East Asia.
Mr. Ridley’s professional career covered over 28 years in criminal justice, public safety and public administration. He has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years: The Living Legend Award for Public Service presented by the African Methodist Episcopal Church; the Community Service Award from the United Black Fund in Washington, D.C.; Man of the Year Award from the Washington Annual Conference of the A.M.E. Church; Meritorious Service Award from the District of Columbia Government; the Attorney General’s Award for Public Safety; Chairman’s Award from the Commission on Correctional Standards and Accreditation , the American Correctional Association, and the highest award in American Corrections, The E.R. CASS CORRECTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD , to name a few.
He has many professional memberships, including the Network of Church Administrators, the National Association of Church Business Administrators, the Association of State Correctional Administrators where he is a former president, the District of Columbia Criminal Justice Association ( Chairperson ) The American Correctional Association, the Association of Wardens and Superintendents ,American Jail Association, National Association of Hispanics in Criminal Justice , National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice. Mr. Ridley serves on many boards, including the Bureau of Rehabilitation of the National Capital Area, the Alliance of Concerned Men, the National Committee on Community Corrections, Southern Christian Leadership Committee, Youth Action Network of Central Florida ( Chairperson ) the Aban Institute ,The G. Douglass Lewis Center for Church Leadership , the Mothers of Incarcerated Sons ( Orlando , Fla.) and the Family Tree. He is also a guest lecturer at George Washington University, Howard University, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, the University of the District of Columbia, Wesley Theological Seminary, and the University of Maryland, College Park.
In addition to being a criminal justice consultant, he is a frequent lecturer, speaker, consultant and instructor on church administration, and Criminal Justice issues. Mr. Ridley is an avid golfer and is now getting to enjoy Shakespeare’s works and comparing them to African American life. Mr. Ridley has authored numerous articles on subjects ranging from the criminal justice system to Church management and administration.
His public service career was as follows: Program Director of a female offender program, Director of a large substance abuse program for persons under the supervision of the U.S. Probation and Parole Agency in Washington, D.C., Assistant Warden, Warden, Chair of the District of Columbia Parole Board, Associate Director, D.C. Dept. of Corrections, Deputy Director, D.C. Dept. of Corrections and Director of the D. C. Dept. of Corrections.Mr. Ridley was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. He has done post and additional graduate study in criminal justice, public administration and church administration. Mr. Ridley served in the United States Army as an officer and Aviator assigned to posts in the United States, Europe and South East Asia.
Mr. Ridley’s professional career covered over 28 years in criminal justice, public safety and public administration. He has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years: The Living Legend Award for Public Service presented by the African Methodist Episcopal Church; the Community Service Award from the United Black Fund in Washington, D.C.; Man of the Year Award from the Washington Annual Conference of the A.M.E. Church; Meritorious Service Award from the District of Columbia Government; the Attorney General’s Award for Public Safety; Chairman’s Award from the Commission on Correctional Standards and Accreditation , the American Correctional Association, and the highest award in American Corrections, The E.R. CASS CORRECTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD , to name a few.
He has many professional memberships, including the Network of Church Administrators, the National Association of Church Business Administrators, the Association of State Correctional Administrators where he is a former president, the District of Columbia Criminal Justice Association ( Chairperson ) The American Correctional Association, the Association of Wardens and Superintendents ,American Jail Association, National Association of Hispanics in Criminal Justice , National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice. Mr. Ridley serves on many boards, including the Bureau of Rehabilitation of the National Capital Area, the Alliance of Concerned Men, the National Committee on Community Corrections, Southern Christian Leadership Committee, Youth Action Network of Central Florida ( Chairperson ) the Aban Institute ,The G. Douglass Lewis Center for Church Leadership , the Mothers of Incarcerated Sons ( Orlando , Fla.) and the Family Tree. He is also a guest lecturer at George Washington University, Howard University, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, the University of the District of Columbia, Wesley Theological Seminary, and the University of Maryland, College Park.
In addition to being a criminal justice consultant, he is a frequent lecturer, speaker, consultant and instructor on church administration, and Criminal Justice issues. Mr. Ridley is an avid golfer and is now getting to enjoy Shakespeare’s works and comparing them to African American life. Mr. Ridley has authored numerous articles on subjects ranging from the criminal justice system to Church management and administration.
Jim Gondles
Executive Director-ACA
Alexandria, VA
jenniferb@aca.org
James A. Gondles, Jr. was selected the eighth Executive Director of the American Correctional Association in 1990. Mr. Gondles served full-time as Executive Director-Designate from October 1990 until October 1991, when he became the Executive Director. Mr. Gondles previously served as Sheriff of Arlington County, Virginia, having first been elected in 1979 and reelected in 1983 and 1987. He resigned the Office of Sheriff to assume his new duties at the American Correctional Association. From 1972 until his election as Sheriff, Mr. Gondles served as a deputy sheriff in Arlington County. A graduate of Oklahoma City University (B.A., political science) Mr. Gondles has also completed training at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy, the National Sheriffs' Institute and the National Academy of Corrections. He became a Certified Association Executive (CAE) by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) in 1999.
Alexandria, VA
jenniferb@aca.org
James A. Gondles, Jr. was selected the eighth Executive Director of the American Correctional Association in 1990. Mr. Gondles served full-time as Executive Director-Designate from October 1990 until October 1991, when he became the Executive Director. Mr. Gondles previously served as Sheriff of Arlington County, Virginia, having first been elected in 1979 and reelected in 1983 and 1987. He resigned the Office of Sheriff to assume his new duties at the American Correctional Association. From 1972 until his election as Sheriff, Mr. Gondles served as a deputy sheriff in Arlington County. A graduate of Oklahoma City University (B.A., political science) Mr. Gondles has also completed training at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy, the National Sheriffs' Institute and the National Academy of Corrections. He became a Certified Association Executive (CAE) by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) in 1999.
Woodrow Harper
Executive Vice President-YSI
Sarasota, FL
Wharper@ysii.com
Wharper@ysii.com
WOODROW HARPER, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT- Mr. Harper brings over thirty years of management experience in juvenile and criminal justice programs to the YSI team. He has served as Deputy Secretary for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, where he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the agency's 5,000 employees, 200 programs, and a budget of $600 million. As the first Deputy Secretary of Juvenile Justice for the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitation Services, Mr. Harper's responsibilities encompassed the provision of oversight for Juvenile Justice programs. Mr. Harper also served as Staff Director of the Florida Legislature's Commission on Juvenile Justice and developed juvenile justice reform legislation that assisted in reorganizing Florida's juvenile justice system. Additionally, Mr. Harper was the Director of Compliance Monitoring for Florida's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Program. In this capacity, he developed the first comprehensive statewide compliance monitoring system, which became a model for the Federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, as well as for other states’ systems.
Raul S. Banasco
President-NAHCJ
Kissimmee, FL
Rban3@osceola.org
Wilkinsonr@ohioan.org
Rban3@osceola.org
Raul Banasco began his career in the juvenile justice/corrections field in 1986 with the New York State Juvenile Justice Department. In 1988, he joined the Florida State Department of Corrections (FDOC) as a Correctional Officer at the Central Florida Reception Center. During his 19 years with FDOC, he served as a Correctional Officer, Classification Officer, Probation Officer, Probation Supervisor, Classification Supervisor, Assistant Warden of Operations and Programs, Warden and Director of Staff Development of over 28,000 employees throughout the State of Florida both for Institutions and Probation & Parole services. In October 2006, he was appointed by Orlando’s Mayor Richard Crotty to be the Major at the Orange County Corrections Department in Orlando, Florida. As the Major, he was responsible for the daily operations of 4,200 inmates and 600 certified and civilian staff assigned to the “B” Team Administrative and Operational duties among the six facilities. In September 2008, he was appointed to the position of Deputy Chief of the Osceola County Corrections Department.
Banasco has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Iona College, a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University, a Certified Public Manager, Certified Jail Manager, and a graduate of the Orange County Government Leadership Institute, Class of 2008. In addition, he is a Certified National Auditor for the American Correctional Association.
He is a member of the, American Correctional Association, American Jail Association, North American Association of Warden’s & Superintendents and Florida Council on Crime & Delinquency. Deputy Chief Banasco served as the Chair of the Library Advisory Council for Osceola County Government from 2006 – 2008, State President of the Florida Council on Crime & Delinquency, 2003-2004 term, Vice - Chair of the ACA Professional Education Council from 2005-2008 and is a founding member and served as the President of the National Organization of Hispanics in Criminal Justice, 2006-2009 term. He currently sits on the American Correctional Association Programs Committee, and is a member of the Central Florida Y.M.C.A. Achievers Board of Directors. Banasco was recognized by the Orange County Board of Commissioners as the first Hispanic Pioneer for holding the highest rank as a Hispanic within the 135 years history of the Orange County Corrections Department in October 2007. He was awarded the Louie L. Wainwright award, which is the highest award given by the Florida Council on Crime & Delinquency in 2008.
Banasco is responsible for the daily operations of all inmates and over 300 certified and civilian staff assigned within the Osceola County Corrections Department. Deputy Chief Banasco is specifically responsible for Security, Operations, Jail Programs, Health Services, Food Service, Corrections Training & Professional Standards and the Work Release Center.
Dr. Reginald A.Wilkinson
Retired-Director ODRC
Dayton, OHWilkinsonr@ohioan.org
Reginald A. Wilkinson, Ed.D., is the President and CEO of the Ohio College Access Network. He retired in April 2006 as the Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, a position he held since 1991. He served in various posts since 1973 including Deputy Director, Warden, and Training Director. He is the Chairperson of the National Institute of Corrections Advisory Board. Wilkinson is a Past President of the American Correctional Association (ACA) and the Association of State Correctional Administrators (ASCA). He, furthermore, was a Founder and first statewide President of the Ohio NABCJ chapter; he was also a member of the NABCJ National Board. His academic background includes B.A. and M.A. degrees from The Ohio State University. He was also awarded the Doctor of Education degree from the University of Cincinnati. He has received numerous awards some of which include the National Governors Association Distinguished Service Award, the ACA E. R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award, the ASCA Michael Francke Award, and both the Chairman’s Award and the Hastie Award from NABCJ.
Gwendolynchunn@hotmail.com
Milford, MA
Dpmoreira@doc.state.ma.us
Jack Donnelly
President-Keefe Group
Wildwood, MOGwendolyn Chunn
Past President-ACA
Raleigh, NCGwendolynchunn@hotmail.com
Harold Clarke
Commissioner of Corrections-MA DOCMilford, MA
Dpmoreira@doc.state.ma.us
Harold Clarke grew up in the Canal Zone in Panama.
After college in Nebraska, he joined the Nebraska Department of Corrections in 1974 as a counselor. He rose through the department, becoming warden at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in 1987, the first employee promoted from within the agency to that position.
In August of 1990, he was appointed Director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, a position he held until 2005, when he began his role as Secretary of the Washington State Department of Corrections.
In November of 2007, Mr. Clarke took on yet another new role, this time on the East coast as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Correction.
He is currently serving as the president of the American Correctional Association. He is a former member of the Doane College Board of Trustees, former board chair of Lincoln Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as president of the Association of State Correctional Administrators.
His awards include the Legacy Award from the Association of Women Executives in Corrections in 2007, the Pioneer Human Services Partner of the Year Award in 2006, the Michael Francke Award from the Association of State Correctional Administrators in 1997, the Citizen of the Year Award from the Nebraska Association of Substance Abuse Directors in 1996 and the Dedicated Correctional Service Award in 1994.
Artis "Ray" Hobbs
Chief Deputy Director-AR DOC
Pine Bluff, AR
Ray.hobbs@arkansas.gov
Pine Bluff, AR
Ray.hobbs@arkansas.gov
Ray Hobbs currently serves in the capacity of Chief Deputy Director for the Arkansas Department of Correction. He has served in this position for 8 years. His duties include: provides supervision for Wardens at seven (7) major facilities (Super Max, Max and Medium Security units; provides supervision for Accreditation (Arkansas’s prisons are totally accredited by the American Correctional Association); provides supervision for the Emergency Preparedness Division; provides supervision for drug testing (staff and inmates) and narcotic interdiction (K-9) teams; provides supervision for inmate classification and record keeping; serves as chairman for the Prison Rape Elimination (PREA) coordination for the Department.
Mr. Hobbs began his correctional career as a Correctional Officer in January 1975, and promoted through the ranks serving as: Correctional Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Chief of Security. He also served as Assistant Warden and Warden at various facilities within the Department.
Mr. Hobbs is affiliated with the American Correctional Association as a certified Auditor and serves on the Board of Governors. He is also a member of Southern States Correctional Association, Arkansas Criminal Justice Association, and North America Association for Wardens. He is a part time Criminal Justice lecturer and teacher at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Mr. Hobbs holds a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He is married and enjoys golfing, running, fishing and tennis.