New Chief of Staff Named

New Chief of Staff Named

Timothy C. Ward Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. – Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier announced the promotion of Timothy C. Ward to Chief of Staff effective December 1, 2016. Ward is responsible for the management of approximately 10,500 state employees and oversees the operations of the four main divisions of the GDC: Facilities, Administration & Finance, Health Services, and Inmates Services.

“With 24 years of knowledge under his belt, Tim is an invaluable asset this agency,” said Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier. “He has demonstrated great leadership as Assistant Commissioner of Facilities, and I am confident he will display the same level of distinction as Chief of Staff.” 

Ward began his career with the Department in 1992 at Scott State Prison as a Correctional Officer. He went on to serve as a Counselor at Hancock and Rivers State Prisons, followed by a promotion to Chief Counselor at Scott State Prison.  In 1999, Ward was promoted to Superintendent at the Western Probation Detention Center and later that year opened McEver Probation Detention Center. In 2001, he was promoted to Warden and was responsible for the conversion of Wrightsville Youth Detention Center to Johnson State Prison.  He was appointed Warden at Rogers State Prison in 2005, and served as Warden at Phillips State Prison in 2007.  Ward was appointed as Director of Facility Operations in January 2009, and promoted to Assistant Commissioner/Chief of Staff in June 2011.  Ward was named Assistant Commissioner of Facilities in 2012, where he most recently served.

Ward holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Savannah State University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University.  Other accomplishments include executive and correctional officer certifications from the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, and completion of the Executive Leadership Development Program from the Georgia Leadership Institute.  He is an active member of the Southern States Correctional Association, the Georgia Probation Association, and the Georgia Prison Warden’s Association.

The 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 478-992-5248 or visit http://www.gdc.ga.gov.

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