The GEO Group Announces $70 Million Investment in Expanding ICE Services Capabilities and New Corporate Reorganization
In addition, GEO also announced several senior management changes. GEO’s Chief Executive Officer, Brian Evans, has given GEO notice of his retirement to pursue other opportunities, effective December 31, 2024. J. David Donahue will begin serving as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2025. Mr. Donahue has more than 40 years of experience in corrections and detention, having served in senior executive roles overseeing operational planning, facility activations, and managing operational teams. He joined GEO as the Eastern Region Vice President in 2009, after a distinguished career in corrections with the Federal Bureau of Prisons,
GEO previously announced the appointment of Paul Laird as Senior Vice President of Secure Services, effective January 1, 2025, replacing James Black who will retire on December 31, 2024 as previously announced. Mr. Laird joined GEO in 2015 as Eastern Region Director of Operations and was subsequently promoted to Western Region Vice President and was most recently transferred to Eastern Region Vice President. Prior to joining GEO, he served as Regional Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, North Central Regional Office, overseeing 20 facilities. Prior to that assignment, he served five years as the Chief Operating Officer of Federal Prison Industries and as Assistant Director of the Industries, Educational and Vocational Training Division. He also served on the AbilityOne Commission as a Presidential Appointee representing the United States Department of Justice between 2005 and 2015.
GEO also announced the appointment of Daniel Ragsdale as Senior Vice President, Contract Administration and Compliance, effective January 1, 2025. Mr. Ragsdale joined GEO in 2017 as Executive Vice President, Contract Compliance, after a successful career at ICE, where he served as Deputy Director from 2012 to 2017. In that capacity, he served as Chief Operating Officer for ICE, leading 20,000 employees, including 7,000 criminal investigators at Homeland Security Investigations and 6,000 officers in Enforcement and Removal Operations. He also previously served as a Special Assistant
George C. Zoley, Executive Chairman of GEO, said, “We are pleased to welcome back David Donahue to GEO in his new role as Chief Executive Officer. His more than 40 years of experience in corrections and detention, coupled with his experience in operational planning, facility activations, and managing and overseeing operational teams will serve as an asset to our Company as we face the new and expanding opportunities ahead. We are also pleased to welcome Paul Laird and Dan Ragsdale to our Senior Management team. Mr. Laird’s operational experience and Mr. Ragsdale’s background in federal contract administration will continue to be important assets for our Company.
We are continuing to prepare for what we believe are potentially unprecedented future growth opportunities. We are making a
About The GEO Group
The GEO Group, Inc. (NYSE: GEO) is a leading diversified government service provider, specializing in design, financing, development, and support services for secure facilities, processing centers, and community reentry centers in
Use of forward-looking statements
This news release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216329043/en/
Pablo E. Paez (866) 301 4436
Executive Vice President, Corporate Relations
Source: The GEO Group, Inc.