Q4 Town Hall: Earnings, Raises and Facility Praises
President and CEO Damon Hininger, along with new Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Brain Collins and Communications Vice President Louise Grant, led the company’s fourth quarter Town Hall meeting held today, November 6, at the Facility Support Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
First, Hininger addressed the company’s third quarter earnings report, released earlier this week. To view the report, click here.
Hininger spoke at length about the difficulties facing all, stating, “Our state customers are still living through a very challenging fiscal environment.”
He pointed to a rise in unemployment and a reduction in sales tax income as key factors in state budgetary shortfalls. Those shortfalls, in turn, impact CCA.
“I can’t express to you enough how proud I am of all of you in helping us overcome many of the obstacles we have weathered over the last 12 to 18 months,” said Hininger. “I am especially proud of our staff in New Mexico, Colorado, Prairie, Georgia and Florida as you all have had to deal with significant challenges.”
Despite a struggling economy, Hininger stressed several successes experienced so far this year including:
• The recent contract award to expand CCA’s partnership with California
• expansions at two Georgia facilities, Coffee Correctional Facility and Wheeler Correctional Facility
• The opening of CCA’s North Georgia Detention Center
• A new agreement with Arizona to manage inmates at Huerfano Correctional Center
• The BOP award to house inmates at the recently-opened Adams County Correctional Center.
Merit Increases
Many CCA employees have felt the pinch of the weakened economy through the suspension of this year’s merit increases. And employees are eager to know if 2010 will be a repeat of this year when it comes to employee salaries.
Hininger said, “In short, we don’t know yet.”
He referenced again the economy and issues facing state customers, noting that the ability to forecast accurate projections for the months ahead has been extremely difficult.
“As we think about all the issues the company will face next year, we hope to have clarity,” says Hininger. “But I take this issue very seriously.”
News from Chief Human Resources Officer Brian Collins
Brian Collins, CCA Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, echoed Hininger’s remarks in thanking facilities for their hard work this year.
“I want to offer special thanks to Prairie Correctional Facility who’s been facing a difficult time,” Collins said.
He mentioned that since he has assumed his new role, several employees have asked how his work will differ that of his predecessor Bill Rusak. “Based on Bill Rusak’s leadership we have an excellent foundation and I’ll be working to solidify many of his initiatives and continue his plan throughout 2010,” said Collins.
He added, “CCA is experiencing a reduced employee turnover rate and now is the perfect time for facilities to focus on training, staff development and mentoring to help build a more solid team.”
The meeting was then turned over to wardens who spotlighted successes from their respective facilities.
Facility Success Stories
Warden Hoyt Brill at Kit Carson Correctional Facility (KCCC) discussed the KCCC Citizen of the Year Award, which originated about four years ago. The award is given annually to someone who shows support for the facility in the community or county. The facility’s Public Relations committee – comprised of local community leaders who serve as liaisons between KCCC and the community – reviews the nomination forms and votes for each winner.
Brigham Sloan, Warden at Bent County Correctional Facility (BCCF), highlighted a letter writing campaign launched by BCCF and other Colorado facilities.
Wardens Jeff Little, Avril Chapman and Randy Stovall from Otter Creek Correctional Center, Marion Adjustment Center and Lee Adjustment Center spoke about their involvement in responding to and assisting the Kentucky Department of Corrections during a riot at its Northpoint facility.
San Diego Correctional Center Warden Fred Lawrence announced that the facility has broken its own record for quality by scoring 99.4 percent during a recent CCA Quality Assurance audit. Lawrence also highlighted key initiatives he attributes to the facility’s ability to achieve that level of excellence.