As our nation celebrates Veterans Day and honors the selfless service and sacrifices of our veterans and active-duty military, we proudly say thank you to all who have worn the uniform of our nation. It is a time to remember and pay tribute to the brave men and women of the United States Armed forces who served, who are serving today and who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Today, I'm delighted to officially welcome Mary Ann Jackson to team TransCor. Mary Ann has accepted a newly created position as the company's first Managing Director, People and Culture. Mary Ann brings 25 years of experience in operations and human resources, specializing in organizational effectiveness, talent management, and leadership development.

At one time in our nation's history, the luxury of opportunity was not a given for everyone who lived in this country. Juneteenth is a celebration of perseverance, courage, and the empowerment to transform lives and society during uncertain times. I encourage all of us to join in this important conversation and learn more about the history we all share.

As we celebrate National Correctional Officers and Employees Week, May 5th through 11th, we would like to express our sincere appreciation. We clearly recognize the important work and invaluable contributions made by staff every day. Without question, you are making a real impact to those entrusted to our care, the communities we serve and to each other. 

I am so proud to announce that TransCor America, LLC has been selected as a 2024 Top Workplace. Selection is based entirely on employee feedback captured within the Top Workplace survey and reinforces the priority our company places on employees and service excellence. This is the second time TransCor has been recognized as a Top Workplace.

Women’s History Month is an opportunity to reflect on the trailblazing women who lead the way for change. We often and rightfully highlight important historical figures like Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, and Maya Angelou, but it's also important to shine a light on the women making a powerful impact in our industry.

As we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. Your dedication and hard work in ensuring the safe and secure transportation of those entrusted to our care does not go unnoticed.

Each year on November 11th, we as Americans set aside a special day to honor our Veterans and thank them for ALL they have done. With gratitude and appreciation, we recognize that the freedoms we enjoy today were built by the selfless sacrifices of men and women willing to risk their lives for their country. While Veterans Day was officially instituted to celebrate the end of World War I, we know that everyday our brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces have their courage tested here and abroad. It is thanks to their willingness to serve, unwavering patriotism, and love of country that we, the benefactors of their sacrifices, are able to enjoy the liberties of a free nation. 

Thank you to our incredible teams in the field and those at the Central Office — every single one of you! This weekend celebrates the fundamental relationship that we have with each other — we work together! Our shared mission makes up a TEAM that together expresses Performance Driven by Excellence.   

From our humble beginnings in 1776, the fortitude and determination of the American spirit has been strong and unwavering. As much as we each enjoy traditions, Independence Day is, most of all, an opportunity to reflect on the bravery, courage, and forethought of those who drafted the Declaration of Independence. After all these years the message continues to resonate with how being an American is a deeply felt commitment to higher principles: Liberty, Equality, and Opportunity.

Memorial Day is a very important day for the United States of America, as this is the day dedicated to the remembrance of all those who lost their lives while serving our country and protecting our freedoms. There is no greater sacrifice one can offer for our country and for each other — and it's important that we continue to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom. To those of you who have family and friends who are veterans that have lost their lives defending this great and blessed land, we are deeply grateful.    

Corrections — the profession we proudly share and serve — is one of the most selfless, courageous, and rewarding callings one can pursue. Each year, corrections professionals’ vital service becomes increasingly demanding, yet together we rise to meet those complexities with excellence. It is fitting to pause to honor the sacrifices and celebrate the contributions of all corrections professionals.

This month, we join the global community in celebrating this International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. At TransCor, we believe all differences should be valued and celebrated. And I'd like to thank and applaud the strength, resiliency, and selfless contributions of the women of our company. From the Field to the Central Office, from Transportation Officer to Executive Leadership, their contributions are numerous and highly measurable. Their diversity is as vast and valuable as the areas in which they work. I'm so proud of each of them and their incredible work.

As we celebrate Black History Month, key figures immediately come to mind; Frederick Douglass, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Barack Obama, Colin Powell, and more. Their contributions to abolition, Civil Rights, and government cannot be overstated. This month, however, is about more than just those enshrined with fame and national honor. Black History Month, as with other such observances, exists to honor the contributions, culture, and legacy of all who share the honored heritage. Some of those people and their stories are well known, but most are not. Likewise, the countless contributions of most are often unknown and unacknowledged. Nevertheless, their impact remains to this day. 

Please join me in welcoming Lynda Dixon to the company. Lynda will serve as an Administrative Assistant reporting directly to me and providing administrative support to the senior leadership team. Lynda Dixon began her impressive career over 30 years ago. Throughout her career, Lynda has worked as an administrative assistant/executive assistant in various industries prior to settling into corrections. During her time at the CoreCivic Facility Support Center, Lynda provided administrative support to multiple departments including; Operations, Security, and Human Resources.

During 2022, TransCor set all-time company records. We accomplished this all while continuing to provide service excellence in support of CoreCivic, our shared Partners and those entrusted to our care. Thank you so much for the hard work and commitment you’ve shown over the past year. I hope that when you’re celebrating the holidays with friends and family that you look back on the year with a strong sense of pride and accomplishment. You've defiantly earned it!

As Thanksgiving Day quickly approaches, I'm kindly reminded of what busy times in which we all live and work. We’re fortunate to have a very connected society with endless information and countless things to keep us busy both personally and professionally. Within TransCor, we’re entrusted with a tremendous responsibility that requires a high level of focus and action. Amid the busyness, it’s important to not lose sight of the things deserving of our gratitude.

I am honored to have served alongside so many outstanding individuals throughout my military career, and I am further honored to continue working among so many incredible service men and women at TransCor and CoreCivic. An impressive 18 percent of current TransCor employees have or are presently serving in the United States military. We are deeply grateful and proud of their service.

Each of your individual commitments to the collective team is what makes you and this company great. And just as teams are so much more than the sum total of their component parts, this company is more than the sum of its employees. Thank you for bringing that quality to our company everyday — it continues to allow us to be a service provider of choice.

As we enter Independence Day weekend in America, I’m reminded of a favorite line from our National Anthem. At our best, we truly are “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” The men and women who answer the call to serve in corrections have a uniquely personal perspective on the values of freedom and bravery.

This Memorial Day, remember why we celebrate this holiday – to honor the brave men and women who have given the highest sacrifice for our freedom. Without their heroic commitment and actions, we would not be able to enjoy the many freedoms we recognize today.

May 1-7, 2022, is National Correctional Officers and Employees Week. During this week, we recognize and celebrate those who work in corrections. These men and women exemplify professionalism, integrity, and strength in the face of an often-challenging work environment. Daily, they answer the call to serve, and their sacrificial work ensures the safety and security of our nation, our communities, our team, and those entrusted to our care.

Throughout history, women have worked tirelessly toward a path of equality. Because of their courage and determination, they blazed trails and achieved milestones that we celebrate today. Their voices have had a profound impact on the generations that followed them. Many of these milestones aren’t as far in the past as we may think. Today, Woman's History Month gives us an opportunity to acknowledge their struggles and celebrate their achievements.

Each year, during the month of February we take time to celebrate the significant achievements and contributions African-Americans have made to America. It is also a time to reflect upon Dr. King’s dream for a more just society that celebrates the values of equality and inclusion for people of every race and ability.

We are pleased to announce that Anthony Minnigan has been selected as a Director of Operations with TransCor America. He will start in his new role on March 5.

As we have come close to the end of 2021, I would like to take this opportunity to look back on a year that certainly challenged us in many ways but also showed how strong we are as a company — even in the toughest of times.

Thanksgiving is a special time of year, and even more so now in a world that has drastically changed because of COVID-19. This week’s Thanksgiving holiday offers a special opportunity to reflect on our many blessings and to be grateful for the gifts we have received both personally and professionally.

As a veteran, I am deeply humbled to have had the privilege of serving alongside so many outstanding individuals throughout my career, and I am honored to continue working among so many outstanding service men and women here at TransCor. I would be remiss if I did not also acknowledge the sacrifices of the families of those who serve and have served in our military.

Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City; on the Pentagon; and on the plane that crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. September 11, 2001, stands as the deadliest foreign attack on United States soil since the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

To our frontline staff in the field, thank you for being the consummate face of safety and security for our Partners and those entrusted to our care. To the support staff at the Central Office, thank you for your steady hand and strong commitment to service excellence to those we serve. I am so proud of each of you and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this great organization.