Staffing for Success: Winning the Talent War in the Modern Era

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Bert Flewellen, Deputy Commissioner of Operations for the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, has over twenty-seven years of experience in the field of community supervision. Throughout his career, Bert has held numerous positions to include: Probation Officer, Parole Officer, High Liability Training Instructor, Academy Director, Director of Training, Director of Training Investigations & Compliance, Director of Human Resources, Director of Communications, Director of Public Affairs, Senior Policy Advisor, and Chief Operating Officer. These positions have given Bert a comprehensive understanding of field operations and public safety administrative leadership. Bert graduated from Columbus State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in Public Administration. He is also a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Corrections Leadership Institute and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Law Enforcement Executive Development Program. Additionally, Bert holds certificates from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management as well as Cornell's School of Industrial & Labor Relations. He is a Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council Master Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, EVOC Instructor, Emergency Medical Instructor, and a Health & Wellness Instructor. In addition to his leadership roles, Bert is an adjunct professor at the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College. There, he has educated hundreds of law enforcement leaders on conservative budgeting principles, helping agencies maximize their resources while maintaining effective public safety practices. Bert currently serves on the Governor’s Public Safety Awards committee, the Georgia Public Safety Memorial committee, and is a past member of the Governor's Law Enforcement Training Task Force. Bert is a frequent presenter at conferences across the U.S. and internationally, where he shares Georgia's innovative practices that have positioned the state as a leader in community supervision.

Shanta Porter, Director of Executive Operations for the Georgia Department of Community Supervision has served the State of Georgia for over eighteen years. A dedicated public servant, Shanta began her career in 2006 as a Probation Officer in the Piedmont Judicial Circuit with the Georgia Department of Corrections before transitioning to the Department of Community Supervision upon its establishment in 2015. Widely regarded by her colleagues for her leadership abilities, positive demeanor, and commitment to exceptional customer service, Shanta quickly rose through the ranks serving as Chief Probation Officer of the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit, District Director for the 6th Judicial District, Director of Training & Professional Development, and Director of External Affairs. In her current role as Director of Executive Operations, Shanta provides direct oversight and support to the Department’s External Affairs, Recruitment & Retention, Special Projects, and Training & Professional Development divisions. Shanta graduated from Albany State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and earned her Master’s degree in Public Administration from Strayer University. In addition, Shanta has completed numerous professional development programs including the University of Georgia’s Corrections Leadership Institute and the APPA Leadership Institute. Her commitment to professional growth and advancing community corrections is further underscored by her active memberships in key professional organizations such as APPA, the Georgia Professional Association of Community Supervision, the Southern States Correctional Association, and the Association of Women Executives in Corrections.