Background

Ethnicity: Mother was 100% Italian (Malfi, Italy). Father was Scottish with genealogy showing connection of American Indian (Muskogee Creek).

Gala, Donney Thomas Drennon was born on December 20, 1953 in Rochester, New York, United States. Son of Donney Lamar and Anna Marie Drennon.

Education

Associate of Applied Science, Monroe Community College, Rochester, 1974. Bachelor of Science, Rochester Institute of Technology, 1978. Master of Arts, University Central Oklahoma, 1982. Master of Science in Education, University Rochester, 1988. Doctor of Philosophy, University Rochester, 1994.

Career

Federal Officer/CTS, Federal Bureau Prisons, United States Department Justice, 1983-2008, retired. Honorable Discharge: Wing/Base Entomologist-NCOIC, U.S. Air Force, Tinker AFB, OK, 1996-1980; Sergeant (NCO)/Intelligence Operations Specialist, USAFR, 507th Tactical Fighter Group/465 TFS/DOI, 1980-1982. U.S. Army, 1974, Honorable Discharge.

President/Chair, Educational Consultants Network Inc., Chattanooga, since January 2018. Chief Executive Officer, chief research consultant, The Gala Group Inc., 2008-2017. Certified PREA Auditor, USDOJ, The Gala Group, Inc. - 2014-2018.

Associate Professor, Martin Methodist College, 2010-2014. Associate Professor, UNC-Fayetteville State University, North Carolina, 1995-1997. Adjunct Instructor, UT-Chattanooga, TN, 1991-1993. Contract TN P.O.S.T. Instructor, 1999, 2013-2014 (Communications Skills, Anger Management, Stress Management, Criminal Investigations, Custodial/Non-Custodial Interviews, ADA Compliance).

Editorial board Multicultural Learning & Teaching, since 2008. Associate Editor, Free Inquiry in Creative Sociology, 1999-2013. Peer reviewer, Teaching Sociology, 1999-2010. Peer reviewer, Social Commentary, 1999-2010.

Peer reviewer, United States Dept Justice, Washington, since 2010. Peer reviewer, United States department education OPE, Higher Education Program, Washington, since 2007. Expert witness Round Table Group, since 2009. Peer reviewer, Peer & Peer Research Panel, since 2009.

Co-Chair/Commissioner/Co-Vice Chair, Correctional Trainer Certified Commission, since 2008. Member Lee Founders Award Committee, since 2008-2018, Multicultural Affairs Action Committee, 2008-2018.

Member board Chattanooga Area Law Enforcement Commission, 1991-2000.

Achievements

• Dr. Gala is a graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) at Glynco, Georgia. FLETC, Certificate of Exceptional Performance, and Special Act Award (USDOJ-FBOP).
  
  He was inducted into Pi Gamma Mu, International Honor Society in Social Science; Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education; and Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society. He completed training in Terrorism and Hostage Negotiation at the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Education & Training Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1982.
  
  Certified Correctional Trainer, CTCC-AJA/IACTP, since 2008, and Taser Instructor, Taser International (TTA), 2007-2018.
  
  Publications:
  
  Drennon-Gala, D. (1995). Delinquency and high school dropouts: reconsidering social correlates. Maryland: University Press of America; a member of the Rowan & Littlefield Publishing Group. (ISBN 0-8191-99796). [Adopted and cited in “104th Congress, 2d Session / Senate Document 104-20", Page 8 (16th pg. of the report), National Debate Topic for High Schools, 1996-97]. Also, see NCJRS Abstracts: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=158731.
  
  (1994). The effects of social support and inner containment on the propensity toward delinquent behavior and disengagement in education. Dissertation Abstracts International, 55, 5. (Publication No. AAT 9425621). (See http://search.proquest.com/docview/304111984).
  
  Refereed Chapters:
  
  Obi, S., Obiakor, F. E., Gala, D., Banks, T., & Green, S. (2015). Preparing Teachers to Maximize the Potential of Young Students with Gifts and Talents. In F. E. Obiakor, A. Rieger, & A. Rotatori (Eds.), Critical Issues in Preparing Effective Early Childhood Special Education Teachers for the Twenty-First Century Classroom: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
  
  Obi, S.O., Obiakor, F. E, Gala, D. T., & Magee, S. (2013). Diversity, technology, and global interactions: Educational implications. In S. Abebe (Ed.), Diversity in the Classroom: Integrated Framework beyond Chalk and Talk. Linus Books, Ronkonkoma, NY.
  
  Yawn, C. D., Hill, J.M., Obiakor, F.E., Gala, D.T.D., & Neu, J. (2013). Families and Students with Learning Disabilities. In Jeffrey P. Bakken, Festus E. Obiakor, Anthony F. Rotatori (Eds.), Learning Disabilities: Practice Concerns and Students with LD (Advances in Special Education, Vol. 25) (pp. 175-188). Bingley, United Kingdom: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
  
  Drennon-Gala, D; Obiakor, F.E.; and Grant, P.A. (2002). Educating all children: future prospects. In F. E. Obiakor, P. A. Grant, & E. A. Dooley, (Eds.), Educating All Learners: Refocusing on the Comprehensive Support Model. Boston, MA: Charles C. Thomas Pub. Ltd. (ISBN: 0398072655).
  
  Refereed Journal and Periodical:
  
  Gala, D. Drennon. (Summer 2009). "Weapon of Choice." The Correctional Trainer. What’s New? pp. 15-17. Retrieved from http://www.iactp.org/members/journals/2009_summer.pdf.
  
  Drennon-Gala, D., Bouchard, J., & Collins, B. (Spring 2009). Certification of Correctional Trainers: A collaboration between IACTP and AJA. pp. 14-18. The Correctional Trainer. Retrieved from http://www.iactp.org/members/journals/2009_spring.pdf & http://www.iactp.org/CCTProgram.pdf.
  
  Drennon-Gala, D., & Bouchard, J. (Jan-Feb 2009). “Certification of Correctional Trainers: Announcing the genesis of the certification process.” American Jails.
  
  Drennon-Gala, D. (2001, November). Attacks on free speech in academe. [Letter to the editor]. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 48 (11), pp. B20-B21.
  
  Drennon-Gala, D. (1997, October). “Myth or fact: The relationship between family structure and delinquency some implications.” Sociological Abstracts. Accession Number: 2001S40367. Originally submitted during a section on Sociology of Children (186), 92nd Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  
  And numerous scholarly presentations at conferences of the American Society of Criminology, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, American Sociological Association, American Jail Association, American Correctional Association, and International Association of Correctional Training Personnel.
  
  

Religion

Although I have a Ph.D., my faith in God and the Lord Jesus Christ is strong and unyielding. My compassion and ability to forgive comes from the teachings of Jesus Christ. Although I'm not perfect, I strive to adhere to the teachings of Jesus. I just try to do what is expected of me and my faith guides me. Some see me as a spiritual person, and this may be true. This may merely be a reflection that I try to help and serve others as much as I can without harming myself or family.

Politics

I have supported and defended (and still do) the U.S. Constitution as a member of the U.S. Military and as a Federal Employee of the United States of America. I do not support socialist or communist ideology. The foundation of my beliefs and national spirit are found in the precepts set-forth by great Americans, such as, John Adams, Harry Truman, and Theodore Roosevelt. Although I do not believe in giveaway programs, I do believe in assisting those of less fortunate means to become stronger (through training) and more self-sufficient in order to build their self-respect and national pride. The greatest nation in the World should have no one of lesser means than those in Third World countries. Training those to be able to care for themselves is a traditional Republican objective and deserves action, not lip service.

Membership

Board of Directors, Friends of Moccasin Bend National Park, Chattanooga, 1997—2008. Sergeant United States Air Force, 1976-1980, sergeant United States Air Force Reserve, 1980-1982. NCO, United States Air Force, Base Engineer Emergency Force.

Member, Base Advisory Council, United States Air Force, TAFB, Oklahoma, 1976-1980. F&AM, Master Mason. Member:

* American Psychological Association (APA) (Regular Member)

* American Sociological Association (ASA)

* American Society of Criminology (ASC)

* American Evaluation Association (AEA)

* Southern Criminal Justice Association (SCJA) (Life Member)

* Correctional Accreditation Managers’ Association (CAMA)

* Southern Sociological Society (SSS)

* Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS)

* American Correctional Association (ACA)

* American Jail Association (AJA)

* Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA)

* International Association of Correctional Training Personnel (IACTP)

* Member, The Authors Guild, Inc. (2000-Present). (https://www.authorsguild.net/services/members/947).

* Pi Gamma Mu

* Kappa Delta Pi

* Alpha Phi Sigma.

Personality

Don has been known as being tough, but with a heart. His compassion is sometimes misunderstood for weakness, but this is a mistake. He has a strong personality and is confident in what he does. He is tenacious and has unyielding perseverance. His ethical standards are high and has always been above reproach. His personality and beliefs are not appreciated by all, but those who know him are aware that he is a person of trust and will be honest with them if called upon for his insight or professional opinion. Last, but not least, he engages in a continual self-assessment to become a better person.

Interests

• Writing.

Connections

Married Katy Gala (formerly Rodriguez), May 10, 1980. Stepchildren: William G. Bosch, Stephen Bosch, S. Anita Bosch.

Father:

Donney Lamar

Mother:

Anna Marie Drennon

Spouse:

Katy Gala

Katy's career began in the USAF as a Surgical Technician. She received the U.S. Air Force Achievement Medal for her development of a "case cart" system within the first 2 years with the USAF (4-years - NCO - Honorable Discharge-100% disabled veteran). She subsequently worked at the University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital (1983-1991), and then joined Erlanger Medical Center (TN), where she worked Cardio-Thoracic Surgeries from 1991-2007. She retired in late 2007.

S/child:

Stephen Bosch

Presently, he is a "Manager-Project Engineer."

S/child:

William G. Bosch

S/child:

S. Anita Bosch

Licensed (pre-k-4)Teacher (18-years experience). Endorsements include: ESL; Special Education.

Presently, she works in a Title I Public Elementary School.

References

• Makarios, Matthew D. "Drennon-Gala, Don: Social Support and Delinquency Encyclopedia of Criminological Theory: see Makarios, Matthew D. "Drennon-Gala, Don: Social Support and Delinquency." Encyclopedia of Criminological Theory. 2010. SAGE Publications. 23 Nov. 2011.
  2011