ATLANTA - The State Board of Pardons and Paroles has announced the following leadership changes effective February 9, 2018.

James Williams appointed as Special Operations Division Director

Rick Jacobs appointed as Clemency Division Director

Felecia Holloway appointed as Field Services Division Director

Executive Director of Parole Chris Barnett says the appointments will result in enhanced operations, a stronger agency and help the agency meet its public safety mission.

“As the Board announces these changes in leadership, we are reminded of a quote by Benjamin Franklin, “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning,” stated Barnett.

“The Georgia Parole Board understands to remain the number one parole authority in the nation, we must be a learning institution; challenging our perceptions, our processes and most importantly ourselves.  Only by challenging ourselves, do we realize the true potential of this great agency and drive success, which by definition enhances public safety for all Georgians,” added Barnett.         

James Williams has been appointed the Special Operations Division Director for the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, effective February 9, 2018.   

James “Bubba” Williams has over 30 years experience in Law Enforcement. Williams is a Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T) certified instructor, with more than twelve years experience as an adjunct college instructor and he served eight years as a Baldwin County Commissioner.

Williams began his law enforcement career as a Deputy Sheriff with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department in Milledgeville. He began employment with the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles in 1987 as a Parole Officer. He has received promotions to Assistant Chief Parole Officer, Chief Parole Officer, Northeast Regional Director, Assistant Director of Field Operations and, most recently, Clemency Division Director.  

During his tenure as the Clemency Division Director, Williams oversaw the development and implementation of the Board’s newly updated Parole Decision Guideline Rating System. Williams instituted stability, accountability and predictability into the clemency process. He implemented a new evidence based case processing system and led the way to enable every inmate parole consideration to be completed electronically, eliminating paper file consideration by the Board for the first time in Georgia’s history. In addition, Williams cultivated an innovative mindset among staff and enhanced the career paths within the division.

Williams graduated from Georgia College in Milledgeville with a dual major in Criminal Justice and Public Administration. Williams also received a Master's in Public Administration from Georgia College.

Rick Jacobs has been appointed the Clemency Division Director for the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, effective February 9, 2018.   

Rick Jacobs began his career in the field of Criminal Justice in 1984, as a patrol officer with the Rome Police Department. He continued his career with the Georgia Department of Corrections serving in several leadership roles to include Director of Facility Operations, Director of Special Operations, Deputy Director of Facility Operations, Regional Director, Warden, Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent.

Prior to transferring to the Parole Board, Jacobs was the Director of Facility Operations for the Department of Corrections with responsibility of the direct supervision of all offenders sentenced to the state prison system.

Jacobs joined the Parole Board in 2015 as Field Services Division Director.

During his tenure as Field Services Division Director, Jacobs developed and implemented staff processes and procedures to meet the statutory requirements of SB 174. Jacobs expanded and developed new District Operations Manager's roles and responsibilities as a result of the creation of the Department of Community Supervision to effectively and efficiently address violations of parole supervision and he implemented new procedures for the final revocation hearing process to achieve overall consistency and high standards.  

Jacobs holds an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. He is also a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College and a member of several state and national professional organizations.  

Felecia Holloway has been appointed the Field Services Division Director for the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, effective February 9, 2018.   

Felecia Holloway’s career in state government spans more than twenty-eight (28) years. She began with the Georgia Department of Corrections as an Accounting Clerk. She was promoted to positions of Accounting Technician, Correctional Officer, Probation Officer, Probation Officer II, and Center Probation Officer.

In 2001, she joined the Parole Board as a Parole Officer at the South Metro Parole Center in College Park. Promotions followed to Assistant Chief Parole Officer, Chief Parole Officer, Master Chief Parole Officer, Regional Director and Field Services Division Deputy Director.

Holloway is a graduate of the Georgia Leadership Institute Supervisory Development Program, the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) Leadership Institute, the Carl Vinson Institute New Manager Training and is a P.O.S.T. certified General Instructor.  

She is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Management. She also earned a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with a Specialization in Public Administration.

Director Holloway is a member of the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA), the Association of Paroling Authorities International (APAI), the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE), and she currently serves as the 2nd Vice President of the Georgia Professional Association of Community Supervision (GPACS).

For more information contact Steve Hayes, Director of Communications, at 404-657-9450 or [email protected].