2024 American Correctional Association Election Booklet

2024 ELECTION

Delegate Assembly

Susan Miller (GA) Assistant Deputy Commissioner Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice

Susan Miller has over 20 years of experience in both adult corrections and juvenile justice in the roles of Correctional Sergeant, Probation & Parole Officer, Probation & Parole Supervisor, Regional Manager, Assistant Director of Programs, Program Coordinator, and Operations Director. Miller is an Assistant Deputy Commissioner with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice overseeing administrative services for the Division of Secure Facilities. Miller received a bachelor’s degree at Louisiana State University and holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from McNeese State University. Miller is active in ACA Accreditation in all areas of juvenile justice from probation to secure facilities and administration.

Brett Peterson (UT) Director Utah Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services

Brett Peterson is the Director of the Utah Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services. Brett’s responsibilities encompass the management of comprehensive care, ranging from early interven tion to long-term secure settings and parole. Committed to minimizing out-of-home placements, he aligns services with cutting-edge research on adolescent brain development and spearheads sig nificant juvenile justice reforms. In 2019, Brett’s efforts resulted in landmark achievements: youth under 12 were excluded from the formal system, criteria for trying juveniles as adults were significantly narrowed, and an alternative option was created to allow individuals to remain in the juvenile system until age 25. Under Brett’s guidance, Utah has achieved a remarkable reduction in detention usage by more than 50% since 2018. Moreover, he initiated the establishment of JJYS Youth Services, a robust early intervention program that has increased participa tion by over 50% since its inception in 2018, providing voluntary services to thousands of youth across the state. Currently, Brett serves as the President of the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators.

Delegate Assembly — Institutions (Adult) (2 Positions)

John J. Coleman (NC) Director North Carolina Correction Enterprises

John Coleman began in the Ohio Army National Guard at 17 and later served in the USMC. He then worked as a corrections officer and became warden and CEO of the Ohio Penal Industries. After retiring from corrections, he moved to Raleigh, where he now serves as the Director of North Carolina Correction Enterprises. Coleman earned a MBA in Executive Management with a Project Management specialization and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Ohio State University. He also holds certifications as a Project Management Professional, Six Sigma Master Black Belt, and Certified Change Practitioner. He completed a certificate in strategy from Harvard Business School.

2024 ACA Election

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