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TO AMERICA’S JAILS
“My favorite memory/experience from
AJA has to be attending my first conference
in Columbus, Ohio in 2001. Without that
initial interaction, none of the professional
growth on a national level and none of the
lifetime friendships would have occurred.
Without the door being opened in the
first place, I would never have known the
level of professionalism that is pervasive
throughout our industry. The journey of a
thousand miles begins with one step. My
journey began by taking those first steps in
Columbus. Thank you, AJA!”
CHIEF ESTÉBAN GONZALEZ, CJM, CCT, CCHP
Onondaga County (New York) Sheriff’s Office
AJA President, 2013–2014
1990 2015 2021
1981 The National Jail 1987 1989 2005
Association and the 2009
National Jail Managers’ 1988 1997 2019
Association merge to 1986 The first issue of American
become the American Jail Jails is published, reaching
Association. The first Executive government personnel
The first Annual Training Director, Francis R. “Dick” at the local, state, and
national levels and
Conference & Jail Expo is Ford, is hired to take numerous individuals from
held in Concord, California charge of the association’s the private sector.
with 50 attendees and 6 executive duties.
exhibitors. Samuel Saxton, AJA’s first
black President, takes office.
34 | MAY | JUNE 2021 AMERICANJails
