Page 40 - 2021_MJ_Complete

“My AJA journey started as a member of the National Institute
“We should never forget the ‘roll up your
sleeves and get it done,’ perpetually enthu- access to the most professional training and relative resources
siastic and optimistic, and selfless style of
leadership provided by the late Dick Ford
in AJA’s infancy. It cannot be overstated. He
was our first Executive Director and exactly
the right person for that time. Without Dick
Ford, there would no AJA today and no
40th anniversary to celebrate.”
RICHARD G. DICK KIEKBUSCH, PhD
AJA President, 1992–1993
38 | MAY | JUNE 2021 AMERICANJails
of Corrections Large Jail Network in the mid-1990s. Over and
over again, as I networked with Large Jail colleagues, I was
introduced to AJA and the work it was doing all across the
country for all sized jails. I listened and learned from my
colleagues about AJA’s professional development, access to
resources, and continued education, and their encourage-
ment of how I needed to attend a conference and join this
national organization committed to professionalizing
American jails.”
“So I attended a conference and quickly discovered the
resources available to learn and the opportunities AJA had
for my facility, my organization, and my personal develop-
ment as a jail professional. As I shared these experiences within
my own state and sent members of our staff to conferences and
trainings, I soon desired to become more actively involved.
My initial appointment to the AJA board and working with
other board members only increased the proverbial ‘fire in my
belly’ for the amazing work of AJA. Thus, I pursued an elected
position on the board, and then was elected to the hierarchy
and honor of becoming a proud AJA president in 2009–2010.
I can say with all sincerity, in every step of this journey and
even now as a continuing member through retirement and as
a past president, it is the wonderful people within the orga-
nization and AJA staff that has made AJA such a big part of
my life. My dearest and closest colleagues and friends are all
connections I have made for the last 27 years working with
and through AJA.”
“As a past president, I can certainly discuss all the success-
ful conferences and accomplishments by AJA staff to provide
to jails all across this country. However, for me, it is AJA’s
leadership academy in conjunction with the Correctional
Management Institute of Texas at Sam Houston State
University that I am most proud of. So many skilled and dedi-
cated leaders worked to see this dream come to fruition.”
“AJA is such a wonderful organization for so many reasons. I
hope all of you will actively get involved and encourage others
to build and grow our organization for the future.”
JON HESS
AJA President, 2009–2010