Corrections_Today_Winter_2025-2026_Vol.87_No.4

ACA General Session

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston welcomed ACA to Denver and related that “one of my first jobs was as principal of a juvenile detention facility down in South Denver.” Sheriff Elias Diggins of the Denver Sheriff’s office told the crowd “[this conference] sets the pace for the future as we return people back to the community better than how they came to us.” Executive Director of the Colorado Depart ment of Corrections Andre Stancil welcomed the attendees on behalf of the Governor and the Cabinet. President Ricky Dixon then shared some words with the crowd, giving an overview of the recent accomplishments of ACA and looking forward to how technology will impact the corrections profession. He concluded by saying “I’m just so proud of those who work in this profession.That they have the outstanding leaders like you here today that care about them and work so hard to take care of our staff and to move this profession forward.” Dixon then introduced a special guest Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons Bill Marshall. Marshall expressed his gratitude at being

The keynote address was delivered by Ken yon Salo one of only five members of the Denver Broncos Team Thunderstorm, with over 6,000 skydives. Salo’s high-energy remarks were designed to challenge and inspire asking the crowd to “create the experience for those around you, your coworkers, the people you work with.” He also described the power of stories. “Stories are about making a connection. It’s the bond, it’s the glue, and when you guys show up to this conference, year in and year out, you know the people that you see that you haven’t seen in a year or six months, and you say, It’s so good to see you again,” he said. The climax of Salo’s speech saw him ask for anyone in the crowd who wanted to take a chance, to try a skydive. 10 members of the audience were ushered to the stage and given identical envelopes. “Keep them at your sides,” Salo commanded. “There are four golden tickets in these envelopes. Do you commit to skydiving even if you don’t get a golden ticket?” he asked. Four members of the audience did receive golden tickets for a skydive! This General Session left the thousands of conference goers ready for a fantastic conference experience.

155 TH CONGRESS OF CORRECTION invited and told the corrections professionals in attendance: “Your commitment to ethical leader ship, evidence-based approaches, and human dignity resonates with all of us who believe in the possibility of transformation, both within indi viduals and within the system itself.” Next up were the two sponsors of the General Session: Falcon and Aramark. Elizabeth Falcon told the attendees “We are living in a moment when tech nology can do extraordinary things, but with that comes extraordinary responsi bility as well. I believe technology should never be about replacing staff. It should be about empowering them.”

— BY KIRK RAYMOND

Lisa Bush from Aramark informed the crowd “We believe in inspiring purpose, empowering change, and going above and beyond because everyone deserves a chance to write their own story.”

Corrections Today | Winter 2025-2026

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