Texas Corrections Association: Newsroom





	I am honored and humbled to serve as President of the TCA. The organization has a tradition of providing training, networking and the opportunities to discuss the challenges we face in an unstable economic climate that affect our service to our clients and the citizens of the State of Texas. Our summer conference was a success. Many individuals worked diligently to provide the training opportunities at the Galveston conference. The Officer’s and Board Members provided their expertise under the Leadership of our Past President Dee Wilson. Dee, as well as the many past President’s and Officer’s have upheld the long standing tradition of service not only to our profession but as Servants to the needs of all the Citizens of the State of Texas. I will also continue that tradition. We heard many speakers /presenters share their vision of where we are and how to meet the needs of our respective areas of service. I was also interested in their perspective of what we are to face in the future. The future is in our hands and we are fortunate to have leaders that have the vision to address those challenges. As Brad Livingston mentioned in his speech, "The Criminal Justice System is like a ship that sails in the sea, It doesn't turn easily and will travel through storms and rough seas." We are that ship and are fortunate to have the leaders that are prepared to guide us in our Institution, Probation, Parole, Residential Services and the broader Offender Service needs. We are prepared to meet the storms that will inevitably face us. As a former detention, law enforcement officer, sheriff and Chair of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, I had the opportunity to see the issues our Criminal Justice system faced from a statewide and county level. As President of TCA and Parole Board member, I have been afforded the vision and perspective on a statewide level and I believe we are prepared to continue to provide that excellence in our service. Why, because we have tremendous loyal and dedicated leaders on the State level to take us into the future. We must work together towards common goals and objectives to provide and meet those needs. The Texas Corrections Association, through your leadership and service, will be ready to provide the necessary tools and training to assist in your profession. I want to thank you again for your vote of confidence and I can assure you that I will stand and work with each of you in meeting our objective of service to Texas, our clients and TCA. back to top TCA Launches New Membership Drive Gerald Garrett TCA Membership Chair and Board Member recently announced a new effort to build TCA membership. According to Garrett, “TCA is starting the New Year with a membership drive. Our goal is to at least double the size of our association in 2006! The cornerstone of our membership drive is an “Every Member Recruit One New Member” campaign.” Garrett added, “We believe the time is right for TCA to return to its stature as one of the premier correctional organizations in our nation.” Please pass this newsletter to one of your colleagues and ask them to join you as a TCA member. back to top Past TCA President John W. Byrd passed away April 16, 2008	TCA Member Highlight: Rodney Cooper Mr. Rodney Cooper began his employment with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in 1978 at the Ellis Unit, a maximum security unit which houses approximately 2400 offenders. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant prior to joining the Personnel Department as a Captain in 1984. He was promoted to Assistant Warden at the Eastham Unit, a 2470 bed facility, in January 1987. In January 1994, Mr. Cooper was promoted to Senior Warden at the Wallace Unit, a 1350 bed medium security unit, and given the additional assignment of Senior Warden over the Ware Transfer Facility, a 900 bed unit, in 1997. He was assigned as Senior Warden at the Telford Unit, a 2832 maximum security unit in May of 2000. In February 2002, he was promoted to Region V Director in which he had the oversight of the operations of fifteen (15) units with a total of approximately 25,000 offenders. He also ensured that all units were in compliance with the agency's policies, rules and regulations. As Director, Mr. Cooper acted as a liaison between the Wardens and the Director and Deputy Director of Texas Department of Criminal Justice. On June 12, 2006, Mr. Cooper was promoted to Deputy Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. As Deputy Director, he was responsible for the six Regional Directors who have the responsibility of managing institutional prisons and state jails with a total population of over 152,000 offenders throughout the State of Texas. In his position he was responsible for the oversight of the Security Systems office and TDCJ's Canine Operations. Rodney is involved in various civic activities including Lions Club and is the immediate past president of the Texas Corrections Association. He is currently teaching a couples Sunday school class at Northside Baptist Church. Mr. Cooper retired as Deputy Director effective September 30th, 2009. Collier Named Deputy Director Bryan Collier, the state’s parole director, was named Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the No. 2 position in the state’s correctional system. Collier replaces Ed Owens, who was named Acting Executive Director of the scandal-racked Texas Youth Commission in the spring as part of a management shakeup. In June, Owens was named conservator of the agency, replacing Jay Kimbrough. Collier, 42, has been Director of the Parole Division for the past 5½ years. Collier started with the corrections agency in 1985, and he has worked his way up through the ranks, according to the agency spokeswoman Michelle Lyons. He has worked as both a correctional officer and a parole officer, Lyons said. Collier is Immediate Past President of the Texas Corrections Association. back to top
	© 2004 Texas Corrections Association. Site by tiny-empire design.