January - February 2018A Publication of TRICOR Communications

Molly McIntosh

T R I C O Rn e w s

TRICOR is pleased to honor and recognize Molly McIntosh, Offender Services Coordinator, as recipient of the 2017 Chief Executive Officer Award. Ms. McIntosh was nominated by Lisa Brown, Call Center Manager 2. Here are a few excerpts from Lisa’s nomination:

“Her job as the offender services coordinator is built around this statement, but Molly doesn’t end her job when everyone else leaves for the day. She is always available to help those offenders that are new to TRICOR that haven’t been with us more than 12 months. She assists her TRICOR peers whenever asked, and makes great effort to continuously communicate with those offenders that have been released.

Molly coaches the offender staff on a daily basis. She has an open-door policy and works with her TRICOR peers if there is an issue at the work site. If an offender has a personal issue that is affecting their work performance, Molly will volunteer to speak with them and coach them in the right direction.

The word that first comes to mind to describe Molly’s ability to interact in our work environment is ‘purpose’. Webster’s defines this as ‘the reason for which something is done or

created or for which something exists.’ She is an educator, support system and champion for the women at TPFW.”

Congratulations Molly! TRICOR is proud to have you as part of our team. Molly was also nominated for the Southeast Correctional Industries Staff Award as a result of her selection of the CEO Award. ■

TRICOR CEO David Hart, Award Recipient Molly McIntosh, and TRICOR Board Member George Phillips

Named the 2017 TRICOR CEO Leadership

Award Recipient

“Every day Molly works towards our mission.”

On the web at www.tricor.org

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Donald Hignite spent half of his life in prison. At a young age, he committed burglary and later progressed to armed robbery with a deadly weapon. He said he came from a non-structured life, had a drug problem and no respect for authority. This combination landed him a 39-year sentence.

During his long sentence, he decided

he needed to do something different because he wasn’t satisfied with his life and knew he needed to make a change before he got out. He joined TRICOR in June 2009 as a sewing machine operation and worked there until he was released in November 2017.

He explained that his journey with TRICOR taught him many skills, including how to get along with others in a working environment and be responsible. Mr. Hignite completed all the programs offered, including Life Skills and Thinking for a Change, and says that Thinking for a Change really opened his eyes to how to live a better way and made him realize he does have control over what happens next in his life.

“This was a class Mr. Mike Wilson taught with Miss Charlotte Cooper, and they really made the class,” said Mr. Hignite. “At first, I didn’t really

want to attend but Mr. Wilson was not having it. Now, I am so glad I attended.”

He added that the preparation TRICOR offered before his release and the support offered after his release was awesome, and he appreciates it.

“I now have a place to live when I didn’t before. I also have reunited with my family who I hadn’t seen in such a long time.

I am not a person of many words, but if I could say one thing to people still in prison, that would be: Never give up hope. As long as you have hope, you will keep moving forward!”

CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. HIGNITE. WE WISH YOU THE BEST IN LIFE AND ARE PROUD OF YOUR TRANSFORMATION. ■

Success Stories Great examples of why TRICOR exists and why achieving our mission is so important to the offenders, our communities, and our state.

Before moving into the Offender Services Coordinator position, Tammy Coker was Production Supervisor at Morgan County. Being the conscientious person that she is, Tammy was always looking for ways to reduce overhead in her facility, specifically related to transportation costs. And, while we don’t have much control over what a trucking company charges, Tammy decided we do have control of the shipping supplies we use.

After doing some research, Tammy discovered that the largest expense was the cartons used to ship the product at $2.25 each. That seemed ridiculous to her, so she started looking for other sources for a suitable substitute. Soon after, she found a vendor with a similar product for almost a dollar less per item.

After testing the new carton with Stephen Hinson, Operations Manager, they discovered the new carton worked well! This small

savings per carton equaled big savings for TRICOR – $13,950 annually to be exact!

Proving, once again, that paying attention and always living by our values, specifically in this case – Right Today, Better Tomorrow – can only be positive for TRICOR and may even bring many unexpected rewards.

Nice work Tammy. TRICOR appreciates your initiative and the excellent outcome ■

“Right Today. Better

Tomorrow”

Tammy Coker Proves that

is a Value that Matters

6185 Cockrill Bend CircleNashville, TN 37209

(615) 741-5705TRANSFORMING LIVES

TRICOR is pleased to introduce a new member of our team – Dmetria Gibson, who has joined us as Chief Transition Officer.

Dmetria comes to us from the Division of Family and Children’s Services for of the Department of Human Services in Georgia.

“As Program Director for the State of Georgia, I was responsible for the educational programming needs of all the youth in foster care,” said Dmetria. “Many of the youth I served had significant involvement with the Department of Juvenile Justice.”

A native of Nashville, Dmetria, her husband and four children are getting used to their new home, though her oldest children may already have it figured out.

“The assessment from my 10 and 12 year olds is that Nashville folks love country music and Tennessee football. The whole family is excited to be back close to their Grandfather and a host of cousins.”

Dmetria earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Master’s from the University of Phoenix, and her Juris Doctor from the Georgia State University College of Law.

We are happy to have Dmetria as part of the TRICOR and look forward to her contributions to our mission! ■

If you would like to nominate someone for the Employee Spotlight, or have a story idea, please email Tina Sampson at tina.sampson@tn.gov .

Welcome to TRICOR!

DMETRIA GIBSON

Recently, Kevin Brosemer, TRICOR Facilities Manager, accompanied Jon Houghton from Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA), to conduct quarterly inspections of the textile and farm operations at the West Tennessee State Penitentiary.

Kevin is pleased to announce that both teams passed with flying colors and did an excellent job correcting items identified in a

previous walk-through. Again, that same value keeps

popping up – Right Today. Better Tomorrow.

Congratulations to Charlotte Cooper, Debbie Moore, Richard Neal, Ann Ogdon, Melissa Wood and Jeff Younger! Thank you for helping TRICOR to ensure a safe and secure working environment for our employees and program participants! ■

WTSP Passes TOSHA Inspection with Flying Colors!

In the wake of the horrific hurricane season, TRICOR teamed up with TDOC, who had initiated a Disaster Relief Project. Each TDOC institution was given an item to collect for the project. Northeast Correctional Complex was tasked with collecting bottled water. Warden Lee challenged the staff at NECX with brininging in 500 cases of water. The industry staff (TRICOR, Shaw, and TDOC security all participated. When the deadline arrived, we had collected 700 cases of water!

Supporting TRICOR’s value of PEOPLE FIRST!

P R O J E C T D I S A S T E R R E L I E F

TWO SERVICEMEN Making Their MOTHER PROUDSherry Gandy, Manufacturing Support Specialist at the TRICOR home office, has two big reasons to be proud!

Her son, Ransom Jackson Gandy, was recently promoted to Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy. Ransom is stationed on a Boomer submarine, in King’s Bay, Georgia, and is classified as a Nuclear Machinist.

Also proudly serving our country is Sherry’s youngest son, Jesse Gandy, who is a Lieutenant in the Navy, stationed in Virginia.

Congratulations to Sherry (and her husband Randy) for raising two servicemen, who are proudly serving our country. ■

Randy Gandy, Chief Ransom Gandy, and Sherry Gandy at Ransom’s promotion ceremony.

TRICOR’s mission is to prepare Offenders for success after release.

If you volunteer for a non-profit organization or

serve the community as a volunteer, please send a

message to Tina Sampson at tina.sampson@tn.gov.