Dr. Edwards has an extensive background in the field of corrections and the criminal justice system. As a corrections practitioner, he has experience in prison operations at various levels. During his career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, he held numerous positions including Warden, Regional Director and Assistant Director in the Washington DC Headquarters where he led the Human Resource Management Division. He has also directed countless institutional reviews and audits for quality assurance and policy compliance. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards, including the United States Department of Justice Bureau of Prisons Distinguished Service Medal. Dr. Edwards is also a recipient of the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive in the Senior Executive Service. He is a member of the American Correctional Association where he continues to serve on key committees.

In addition to his operational background in corrections, Dr. Edwards worked in higher education at the University level for fifteen years where he achieved the academic rank of full professor and served as Chair of two Criminal Justice Departments. He has numerous publications and presentations related to correctional issues and the general field of criminal justice. Dr. Edwards possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Elmhurst College, a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Washington University and a Master’s and Doctorate degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California.

Mr. Morris has demonstrated superior leadership throughout his 35 plus years of experience within the Federal/State/County and private correctional /detention industry. Completing 26 of those years within the Federal Bureau of Prisons, as a Lieutenant, Captain, Control Unit Manager, Associate Warden, and Warden. In addition to serving as a Warden at three Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities, Mr. Morris also has experience in private industry detention. He served as a Senior Warden at an Immigration Customs Enforcement (I.C.E) Detention Complex where he had the overall responsibility for the care, custody and detention of over 3500 ICE detainees who were awaiting deportation. He also managed two other private detention facilities. Mr. Morris has experience with the American Correctional Association as a member, and with the accreditation process where he provided leadership in accomplishing accreditations with ACA, NCCHC, and JCAHO where he served as Warden.

Mr. Morris’ experience and education enabled him to develop and mentor line employees with emphasis on superior institutional management. Mr. Morris is a graduate of the University of Arkansas (Pine Bluff), receiving a B.A. degree in Sociology, and has received numerous awards throughout his career including the “Excellence in Prison Management” award, and was selected as a member of the Senior Executive Service of the United States.

Mr. Johnsen has extensive experience in institutional security operations. He has served as a correctional supervisor in several federal correctional facilities. During his tenure with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, he was assigned to three different facilities undergoing initial activation where he participated in the establishment of critical security processes.

Mr. Johnsen has held positions of mission-essential responsibilities in the military, law enforcement, and federal corrections. He has substantial expertise in the development of post orders, policies and procedures, institutional emergency plans; emergency training; inmate management; inmate transport; special operations training for emergency preparedness; and anti-terrorism. Mr. Johnsen has experience in private sector corrections where he has conducted audits of contract detention facilities to ensure regulatory compliance. He is a graduate of Troy State University, receiving a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice.

Ms. Leslie Speidel is a highly experienced Marketing and Communications professional with an extensive background in Behavioral Change Communications, Initiatives and Marketing to at-risk and priority populations. As the long-time owner of Goddin Media, Leslie Speidel has over 30 years of experience in analytical compliance in Federal, State and local contracts. Ms. Speidel’s expertise includes multimedia campaign placement for international clinical trials, statewide Health Care Reform television campaigns and state and local government public education campaigns. In addition to her marketing expertise, Ms. Speidel has worked with corrections professionals in achieving detention compliance initiatives. Ms. Speidel was an adjunct instructor at Duke University and graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising.

Mr. Dixon had a 25-year Career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). He worked in finance at many levels to include the Controller position at the Federal Medical Center, in Fort Worth, Texas for three and a half years, but for most of his career, he worked as a Contracting Officer. During his career with the BOP, he provided leadership, oversight, and contracting services to over one hundred Federal prisons. Mr. Dixon and staff set the standard for many procurement processes and made innovative improvements to all contracting formats and processes. He was the recipient of 25 Performance Awards and nominated for numerous others. He is also a Veteran of the U.S. Navy and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College of Columbia, South Carolina. He has extensive experience in establishing, monitoring, and solving contracting issues. In July 2006, he retired from the BOP’s National Field Acquisition Office as the Chief of the Contracting Office.

After retiring from the BOP in 2006, he established Select Acquisitions, Inc., a contracting firm that has provided advice and assistance to numerous companies over the years in all matters related to government contracting. Mr. Dixon utilizes his 30 years of contracting experience to assist clients in all phases of contracting – from pre-bid to close out. Mr. Dixon serves in this role with Global Corrections Group, LLC (GCG). He is the Contracting Administrator for GCG involved in all facets of contracting operations. Mr. Dixon has been a leader in contracting matters for many years, provided innovative cost-savings programs and contracts in many specialty areas. He still enjoys the work relishing in the success of helping others. For GCG, he ensures contracted clients get prompt and professional attention as needed and that all contracts are kept in outstanding order.

Mrs. Merlinda Martinez is a seasoned professional and has been with Global Corrections Group since 2016. She has served in the capacity of Administrative Assistance, Office Administrator and currently serves as the Operations Manager of GCG. Mrs. Martinez is an experienced manager and plays an integral part of GCG in contract oversight and support as well as daily operations of Global Corrections. Mrs. Martinez holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and has over 18 years in combined experience in customer services, administration and management.