+ July 14, 2025: President's Message

CTA 2025 Best Workshop

The CTA Board congratulates this year’s winner of the Best Workshop. The President-Elect and the Track Chairs determine the winner based on the session's overall attendance, the content provided during the session, and the interactions with the audience. While we had 21 excellent presentations to select from, the Board determined the following session as a clear winner. 

From Track Chair Jonathan London, “This was the most intense session, the audience was interested and engaged from start to finish!”

Enhancing Efficiency Through Self-Service Technology

Candice Moore, Oklahoma Department of Corrections

Brian Strauch, Marquis Software

We would also like to mention a few additional sessions that were close runners-up this year.

Honorable Mentions

From Vision to Action – Sharing Data: Partners Collaborate to Support System-Level Leadership in Public Safety

Lynda Cobler, Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Merci Wood, Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Mary Hayes, Workbay

All I Know About OCM I Learned From A Little Golden Book

Susan Tinsley, Virginia Department of Corrections

Turning Fantasy to Reality – Technology Outlook for County Corrections

County/Locality Panel Discussion

Thank you to everyone who volunteered to present at the 2025 Technology Summit.  Without your valuable insights, we would not be able to provide the service we do to our corrections community.

+ July 10, 2025: President's Message

Fellow CTA Practitioners and Business Partners,

Good day to everyone. The CTA Board is honored by the support shown during the 25th Anniversary CTA Summit in Orlando, Florida. A special thank you to our Past President, Kartik Yadav, for his dedication to the organization over the past few years as Track Chair, President-Elect and President.

We also thank our outgoing board members, Zacc Allen (Past President), Simon Bonk (Past Corporate Chair), and Lucas Herring (Director). We appreciate your guidance and leadership over the many years of service you have provided in support of CTA. We look forward to continuing to share in fellowship and discussions with all of you in the years to come.

Due to a professional transition, Sarah Schelle has resigned as CTA President. With that in mind, we want to introduce you to the CTA Board for the 2025-2026 term.

Past President Kartik Yadav

President Amy Bell

President-Elect Jonathan London

Secretary Laura Willey

Treasurer Jerry Brinegar

Past Corporate Chair Chris Moore

Corporate Chair Deedee Pettis

Corporate Chair Elect Christina Reagle

I am thankful to be working with a dedicated and experienced team for the 2026 CTA Technology Summit.  As we look ahead, it is our goal to continue to bring innovative and educational content forward and to have thoughtful and engaging discussions throughout the year.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for July 26 – 29, 2026 and plan to engage with us at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Denver, Colorado and July 25 – 28, 2027, for the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Amy Bell, President

Corrections Technology Association

+ May 23, 2025: President's Message

Dear Corrections Technology Professionals,

Please see the below notification for the open positions and candidates for the upcoming election at the 2025 Technology Summit.  Following thereafter is notification of proposed by-law changes.

As outlined in CTA By-Laws, Article V: OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION, B. Election of Officers

Officers shall be elected by the majority vote of active regular members who cast a vote at the time of the Annual Technology Summit of the Association.  Elections shall be from a ballot circulated to the membership at least 30 days prior to the Annual Business Technology Summit.  Nominations may also be added to the ballot from the floor provided that each nomination is made with the prior consent of the nominee.

The electors shall be the highest-ranking IT attendee from each jurisdiction in attendance at the Summit.

Click here to view the full bios for the current candidates. (link to Candidates attachment)

Current Candidates for President-Elect

The President-Elect shall automatically become the President at the end of his/her term as President-Elect.  The offices of the President, President-Elect and Immediate Past-President will be limited to a single term, except in the event of an early exit of the President or the President-Elect.  In that case the President, President-Elect and the Immediate Past-President could serve more than one term.

The President-Elect shall serve as President in the event of temporary absence of the President. At the annual election of officers, the current President-Elect automatically assumes the presidency of the Association.

Candidates for this office must be a senior IT decision maker for their respective agency.

President-Elect shall be elected for a term of one (1) year.

Candidates:

Amy Bell, Missouri Department of Corrections

Parm Kaur, Oregon Department of Corrections

Jonathan London, Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections

Current Candidates for Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be responsible for overseeing the receipt and disbursement of the funds of the Association.  The Treasurer disburses checks for the Association expenditures that are in accordance with the Association budget and Association Operating Rules; and performs other duties as assigned by the President or the Executive Committee.

Treasurer shall be elected for a term of two years.

Candidates:

Jerry Brinegar, New Mexico Corrections Department

Greg Fisher, Washington State Department of Corrections

CHANGES TO THE CTA BY-LAWS

Click here to view the full CTA By-Law changes. (link to Proposed By-Law Changes attachment)

Article IV: Membership

Voting Rights Clarification: Modified language in section A to specify that each entity gets one vote per entity rather than "one vote for each election."

Article V: Officers of the Association

1. Special Election Process Added:

Added new section (V.B.2) establishing a special election process for early departures or other circumstances

Requires the Board to seek nominations from Practitioner membership

Mandates 30-day notice for special elections

Uses the same electors from previous summit via established election platform

2.  Resignation and Retirement Procedures:

Restructured and clarified procedures for handling early exist of officers

For President-Elect early exit:

May serve their term until next election

Board may approve the President to serve a second term for continuity

Board may call a special election

For President resignation:

Modified language around Executive Committee appointments

Added option to call a special elections of CTA membership

3.    Retirement During Term:

Restructured section on completing terms after retirement

Added language allowing the Executive Committee to call a special election of CTA membership

Clarified appointment process for replacement officers

4.    Special Election Placeholder:

Added specific provision for special elections when Secretary, Treasurer, or President-Elect (changed to "elected Board Member") resign or cannot complete their term.

Article IV: Executive Committee

Vacancies: Modified section VI.I to allow vacancies to be filled either by presidential appointment (with Executive Committee approval) or through a special election

We look forward to seeing you at the Technology Summit and your participation in this important election!

Sincerely,

Zacc Allen

Past-President

Corrections Technology Association

+ May 15, 2025: President's Message

Good Day, Corrections Professionals!

I am thrilled to announce Mr. Richard Comerford, The Deputy Secretary for Florida Department of Corrections, as the Welcome Speaker for the CTA Summit this year at Orlando, FL.

As Deputy Secretary Mr. Comerford is responsible for the operational oversight of the Department. He is an experienced corrections executive who has spent his career dedicated to public service with FDC.

Mr. Comerford began his career as a Correctional Officer at Okaloosa Correctional Institution in 1986. While serving over 38 years with the Florida Department of Corrections, Mr. Comerford rose through the security ranks to his current position, after serving five years as Assistant Deputy Secretary of Institutions, supervising four Institutions regions and five Central Office bureaus. He served as Warden at Santa Rosa and Century CI during his tenure. He held numerous specialty roles, such as Inspector and Colonel, over all emergency response teams, and every security rank from Correctional Officer to Assistant Warden.

Mr. Comerford holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology from the University of Florida. In addition to being a member of the Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency, he is also a member of the American Correctional Association, Correctional Leaders Association, the Florida Sheriff’s Association, and Florida Police Chief’s Association. He is a graduate of FDLE’s Executive Leadership Seminar and Chief Executive Seminar. His tenure and experience include comprehensive correctional management, institutional operations,investigations, and emergency preparedness and response, with 18 years at the management and executive level.

As Deputy Secretary of the third largest state correctional system in America, he is dedicated to fostering an organization built on integrity, professionalism, and staff growth and development.

Speaking of the summit… June/ July is fast approaching!! Please make sure you register and make your travel arrangements soon.

I have included a link to the full agenda in this email in case you need it for travel approval. I look forward to seeing everyone in Orlando, FL.  

https://www.correctionstech.org/annual-summit 

Kartik Yadav 

President - Corrections Technology Association

+ May 5, 2025: President's Message

Good Day, Corrections Professionals! 

I am thrilled to announce Saby Waraich as the Keynote Speaker for the CTA Summit this year at Orlando, FL. 

Recognized by Thinkers360 as a Global Thought Leader and Influencer in the Top 10 for Project Management, Business Strategy, and IT Leadership, Saby Waraich is not just a keynote speaker, he's a practitioner in the trenches every single day.

A veteran in driving change and fostering innovation, Saby offers a unique perspective backed by real-world experience. Whether on stage or virtually, his energetic and engaging approach provides the tools you need to stand out as a leader, build trust, and ultimately drive better results.

In his extensive career in both the public and private sectors, Saby has guided organizations, teams, and customers through some of the greatest changes in business & technology. As a CIO and CISO at Clackamas Community College, he continues to lead business partners to successful business transformations, solving complex challenges and technology modernization.

www.sabywaraich.com

Keynote Address - Leading Beyond Our Limits: Purple Cow LeadershipWe’re pressed to the edge of our comfort zone daily. Faced with evolving challenges, unforeseen obstacles, and constant change, it can be tempting to stick to the familiar and avoid risk. Yet, there’s opportunity on the other side of discomfort, and standing out as a leader who’s willing to embrace uncharted territories is a remarkable way to inspire innovation and drive transformation. Join Saby Waraich as he draws on his real-life experience as a trailblazing guide in leadership. Learn to step into the uncomfortable to expand your impact, conquer complex challenges, and build a legacy of resilient leadership. 

Speaking of the summit… June/ July is fast approaching!! Please make sure you register and make your travel arrangements soon. 

I have included a link to the full agenda in this email in case you need it for travel approval. I look forward to seeing everyone in Orlando, FL.  

https://www.correctionstech.org/annual-summit 

Please see the link for the full agenda ( Subject to Change) --> https://www.correctionstech.org/s/06_Full_Session_20250407.pdf

Have a great day.

Kartik Yadav 

President - Corrections Technology Association

+ April 28, 2025: President's Message

Dear Corrections Practitioners,

The Corrections Technology Association (CTA) is an association of public correctional IT professionals, proudly including cities, counties, states and provinces in the United States, Canada, and other countries, among its members. CTA supports providing outreach, autonomy, resources and the tools needed to discharge important responsibilities within our daily duties supporting the corrections community.  

Each year, a call for volunteers is sent to recruit those interested in becoming a part of CTA.  Below is an outline of those positions available starting this July for the 2025-2026 season and beyond.  Kartik Yadav 

President - Corrections Technology Association

Board of Directors 

Each year, the CTA Board of Directors seeks names of qualified candidates for the Board. The positions and terms available include:

President-Elect. Three-year elected term (consecutive one-year terms as President-Elect, President, and Past President). Each year, one board member is cycling out from office as the Past-President.  

When elected to the Board in this sequential three-year term, you will be responsible, along with your other presidential colleagues, to: 

Provide overall governance of the organization 

Chair the CTA Board meetings 

Develop a schedule for the following year’s CTA Technology Summit 

Propose by-law changes to the membership for approval 

Direct CTA’s long-range strategic goals, objectives and event locations 

Support CTA’s implementation of its mission  

Treasurer. Two-year elected term. The Treasurer is responsible for overseeing the receipt and disbursement of the funds of the Association. The Treasurer disburses checks for the Association expenditures that are in accordance with the Association budget and Association Operating Rules; and performs other duties as assigned by the President or the Executive Committee.

According to the CTA by-laws, members of the Board of Directors shall be qualified members – that is CIOs, IT Directors, or other senior positions with responsibilities comparable to those positions. Persons elected to the Board of Directors must be able toattend monthly conference calls for Board meetings, and bi-weekly calls from March to May, leading up to the summit. They must also attend two on-site meetings for planning in between CTA conferences, historically in September and February/March. The Board positions are required to attend the Annual CTA Summit in person.  

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest to Zacc Allen by Close of Business Monday, May 12th, 2025, at Zacc.Allen@correctionstech.org. The slate of candidates will be voted upon by the membership at the technology summit in Orlando, FL, June 29th to July 2nd, 2025. A list of the current CTA Board members can be found at https://www.correctionstech.org/board-of-directors. 

 CTA Technology Summit 

The Board positions also require approximately five days in early June each year to help with the annual summit. The Board positions are required to attend the Annual CTA Summit in person.  It may also involve membership on CTA committees and, on occasion, some members of the Board are asked to act as “ambassadors” for CTA with one of our alliance partners. CTA provides reimbursement for all reasonable travel expenses. 

CTA encourages any qualified members who are interested in serving on the Board of Directors to submit an application. In addition, we encourage applicants from geographical regions not currently represented on the Board to apply as well: from states, provinces, counties and other municipalities.  

We look forward to hearing from you! 

Thanks, 

Kartik Yadav 

President - Corrections Technology Association

+ April 8, 2025: President's Message

CTA 2025 Technology Summit

Good Day, Corrections Professionals! 

The CTA board wrapped up the Spring Board meeting in March .  We had a significant number of submissions for the summit workshops this year.  After careful deliberations, we have approved an exciting and engaging list of workshops that will be presented at the summit. If you submitted a workshop that has been selected, President-Elect Schelle and her team of Track chairs have already sent out the acceptance letters.  I am looking forward to the variety of workshops that will be presented this year. 

We hosted a virtual panel discussion on IT Security Operations in early March. For the month of April, Past President Zacc Allen is in the process of setting up a virtual panel discussion for the last Friday in April. This virtual panel discussion will focus on Cameras and emerging AI feature sets and capabilities around Security Cameras.   

Speaking of the summit… June/ July is fast approaching!! Please make sure you register and make your travel arrangements soon.  I have included a link to the full agenda in this email in case you need it for travel approval. I look forward to seeing everyone in Orlando, FL.  

https://www.correctionstech.org/annual-summit 

Please see the link for the full agenda ( Subject to Change) --> https://www.correctionstech.org/s/06_Full_Session_20250407.pdf

Have a great day.

Kartik Yadav 

President - Corrections Technology Association