Board Profile
Stacy Heath, MS, CJM
Captain
John E. Polk Correctional Facility
Sanford, Florida
AJA Board of Directors
I'm Stacy Heath, MS, CJM. I am the Captain of Support Operations and the Reentry Division at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility. With 26 years of experience, I have worked my way through the ranks. I hold a master's degree in strategic leadership and am proud to be a member of the American Jail Association, an organization which supports our field.
I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because...
...at first, I was drawn to its job stability, high hire rate, and good benefits. However, I soon discovered a community of dedicated, hard-working individuals making a positive impact without seeking recognition. That inspired me to contribute to the growth of both staff and the incarcerated population.
The most unusual job I ever had was...
...working as a telemarketer selling magazine subscriptions, cold-calling people. It was great training ground for corrections because you must have very thick skin.
I felt it was important to be a member of AJA and serve on the board because...
...the organization has a deep commitment to corrections. As I attended more conferences, I wanted to contribute on a large scale. I explored ways to get involved and was impressed by the board members' vast knowledge, experience, and diversity. Collaborating with these leaders in a field I'm passionate about allows me to help advance corrections for future generations.
The hardest thing I've ever done is...
...navigate life as a young single mom with limited support. I prioritized independence, finding ways to provide for myself and my child. My career in corrections gave me stability, helping me meet financial needs while pursuing career growth. Returning to school became a priority, and earning my master's degree opened up new possibilities.
My favorite way to relax is...
...a relaxing massage and a glass of wine.
My favorite meal is...
...an exquisite charcuterie board that showcases a vibrant array of cheeses, a medley of briny olives, and fresh fruit. Shrimp and cheese grits are a close second.
One item on my personal "bucket list" is...
...hiking in Utah's Red Rock Country, with vibrant rock formations and dramatic vistas. I look forward to connecting with nature and photographing the iconic arches and intricate canyons.
The three people, living or deceased, I'd invite to dinner are...
...Jesus, Harriet Tubman, and Cleopatra
My personal motto is...
..."The way you do anything is the way you do everything."
You'd be surprised to learn that...
...I was a tomboy growing up, climbing trees, playing in the dirt, and fishing. I was raised by a single dad, which I am sure contributed to this.
I am most proud of...
...my family. After 25 years of marriage, my husband and I have built a life filled with love and support. As a blended family with three remarkable children, we have faced challenges but navigated them together with resilience and unity.
If there is one piece of advice I'd give to anyone considering corrections as a career...
...it would be to embrace the opportunity to make a real difference. Corrections is more than enforcing rules--it's about leadership, integrity, and positively impacting lives. If you're seeking a career with purpose, challenge, and room for personal and professional growth, this is the right path.
President
Shaun Klucznik, MA, CJM
Major/Jail Administrator
Judicial Services Bureau Commander
Hernando County Sheriff’s Office
Brooksville, FL
shaunk@aja.org
President-Elect
Elsie Judon, MS, CJM
Lt. Colonel/Director of Operations
Broward Sheriff’s Office
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
elsiej@aja.org
1st Vice President
Diana Knapp, MS, CJM, CCE, CCHP
Director
Jackson County Detention Center
Kansas City, MO
dianak@aja.org
2nd Vice President
Lisa Peck, CJM
Lieutenant
Detention Division
Mesa County Sheriff’s Office
Grand Junction, CO
lisap@aja.org
3rd Vice President
Jonathan Ede, MSCJ, CJM
Captain
Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office
Austin, TX
jonathane@aja.org
Secretary
Sam Davis, MA, CJM
Major/Jail Administrator (Retired)
Ingham County Sheriff’s Office
Director of Official Services
Michigan High School Athletic Association
East Lansing, MI
samd@aja.org
Treasurer
Denise Diamond, MS, CJM
Captain (Retired)
Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office
Diamond Consulting
Punta Gorda, FL
denise@diamondconsulting.us
Immediate Past President
Shawn Laughlin, MCJ, CJM
Commander
Broomfield Police Detention and Training Center
Support Services Division
Broomfield, CO
shawnl@aja.org
Parliamentarian
Marsha Travis, CJM, CCM
Director of Standards & Accountability
Davidson County Sheriff’s Office
Nashville, TN
marsha.travis@nashvillesheriff.gov
Sergeant-at-Arms
Laura Bedard, PhD, CJM
Chief of Corrections
Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
Sanford, FL
lbedard@seminolesheriff.org
1-Year Term
Stefanie Bush, CJM
Assistant Jail Commander
Scott County Sheriff’s Office— Jail Division
Davenport, IA
stefanie.bush@scottcountyiowa.gov
Mané Martirosyan, MSSW, CSW
Director of Correctional Services
Louisville Metro Department of Corrections
Louisville, KY
mane.martirosyan@louisvilleky.gov
Mark Foxall, PhD, CJM
Community Service Associate Director
Master of Science Program Coordinator
Director, London Study Abroad Program
University of Nebraska Omaha
School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Omaha, NE
markfoxall@unomaha.edu
Louis A. Quiñones, Jr., CJM, CCE
Chief of Corrections
Orange County Corrections Department
Orlando, FL
louis.quinonesjr@ocfl.net
2-Year Term
Jeffrey M. Begue, CJM
Captain
Stark County Sheriff’s Office
Canton, OH
290@starksheriff.org
Dorothy Harris, MBA, CJM
Major/Juvenile Detention Center
Sheriff Al Detention Center
North Charleston, SC
dharris@charlestoncounty.org
Fred W. Meyer, MA, CJM, CCHP
Deputy Chief (Retired)
Managing Director, NCCHC Resources
National Commission on Correctional Health Care
The Villages, FL
fredmeyer@ncchcresources.org
Jared Schechter, MS, CJM, CCM
Colonel/Jail Administrator
Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office
Wichita, KS
jared.schechter@sedgwick.gov
3-Year Term
Danielle Frane, MS, CJM, CCE, CCHP
Special Sheriff/Superintendent
Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office
Bourne, MA
dfrane@bsheriff.net
Stacy Heath, MS, CJM
Captain
John E. Polk Correctional Facility
Sanford, FL
sheath@seminolesheriff.org
Nicholas Karafa, CCT, CJM
Jail Director
Delaware County Sheriff’s Office
Delaware, OH
nkarafa@co.delaware.oh.us
Michael Myers, MS, LMHP, CJM
Director of Corrections
Douglas County Department of Corrections
Omaha, NE
michael.myers@douglascounty-ne.gov
Chaplain
Linda Ahrens, MBA, BGEA
Founding Volunteer Chaplain for Staff
Cook County Sheriff’s Office
Chicago, IL
Lindaahrens1@yahoo.com
Medical Advisor
Marc Stern, MD, MPH
Affiliate Assistant Professor
University of Washington, School of Public Health
Seattle, WA
marcstern@live.com
Mental Health Advisor
Bart Abplanalp, PhD
Correctional Mental Health Consultant
Olympia, WA
Legal Counsel
Ashley Miller
Hernando County Sheriff’s Office
Brooksville, FL
amiller@hernandosheriff.org
Executive Director
Chris Daniels, MPA, CAE
American Jail Association
Hagerstown, MD