CANTON, GA (Sept. 21, 2020) – Two leaders with strong experience in public safety have been selected to lead the new Cherokee County Public Services Agency and the Cherokee Marshal’s Office.

Cherokee Sheriff’s Office Major Dana Martin was selected as the Public Services Agency Director, and Deputy Marshal Jamie Gianfala was promoted to Chief Marshal, following the retirement of Ron Hunton.

Martin will begin Oct. 5, and Gianfala’s promotion is effective immediately.

“Major Martin and Chief Gianfala have been dedicated employees in Cherokee County law enforcement for many years,” said County Manager Jerry Cooper. “They have demonstrated their commitment to the county and bettering themselves professionally during their time. I have the utmost faith and confidence in their ability to lead their respective areas.”

The Public Services Agency a recently formed agency with principal oversight of the County Marshal’s Office, Animal Shelter, Office of Emergency Management, E-911 operations and Misdemeanor Probation Services. Previously, the Marshal’s Office oversaw all of those departments in addition to Animal Control and Code Enforcement. The deputy marshal position was eliminated as the section of public services was realigned.

“I am honored to be selected as the new public services agency director,” Martin said. “I am looking forward to supporting these departments in providing excellent service to the citizens of this great county.”

Martin brings more than 20 years of law enforcement experience to lead the Public Services Agency. She currently serves as the commander of Headquarter Operations for the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office. She joined the CSO in 1997 as a detention training officer. She worked in the Adult Detention Center, was a shift supervisor and watch commander. Martin worked her way up the ranks through jail operations and over headquarters and administrative services. She was instrumental in sustaining the CSO’s Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) accreditation and state certification. 

Martin has a Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University, a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a concentration in criminal justice from Kennesaw State University. Her professional training includes the Professional Management Program in law enforcement and corrections; FBI National Academy, Class 255; Chief Executive Training Course through the Georgia Chiefs of Police; FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association; Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange Program; Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, FBINAA; Southern Police Institute Chief Executive Leadership Program; and Fundamentals of Human Resource Management. She is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Georgia Association of Women in Public Safety, FBI National Academy Associates and Cherokee Chamber of Commerce. She is a Cherokee Chamber of Commerce Leadership Cherokee graduate. Her awards include the FBINAA Law Enforcement Executive Development Trilogy Award, achievement awards through the Dale Carnegie course and Commendation, Meritorious Service, Pistol Expert and Certificate of Appreciation awards from the Sheriff’s Office.

Gianfala promoted to Chief Marshal

Gianfala will now step up to lead the Cherokee Marshal’s Office, overseeing Code Enforcement and Animal Control for Cherokee County. He will supervise enforcement operations and provide overall leadership for both the code enforcement and animal control offices.

“I am grateful for the opportunity Mr. Cooper and the Commissioners have given me,” said Gianfala. “I am committed to preserving the expectation and service the community deserves. I look forward to great things at the Marshal’s Office.”

Gianfala has been the second in command with the Cherokee Marshal’s Office since 2014. He served alongside now-retired Chief Marshal Hunton, and assisted in the work that led the Cherokee Marshal’s Office to being the only nationally accredited Marshal’s Office nationwide. He also assisted with E-911 Center accreditation, making the Cherokee E-911 Center only one of nine CALEA-accredited dispatch centers in the state.

Prior to joining the Marshal’s Office, Gianfala served the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office for 20 years. Joining in 1993, he gained experience in the Adult Detention Center, Traffic Unit, Uniform Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations and the Cherokee Multi Agency Narcotics Squad.

Gianfala has a Master of Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University and a Bachelor of Arts from Reinhardt University. His professional certifications include Professional Management Program, managerial certificate, Chief’s Executive Training, Command College, supervisory certificate and Georgia POST Instructor. Gianfala has been a defensive tactics instructor and field sobriety instructor. He is a graduate of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Cherokee program, a Reinhardt University 10 Under 10 Award Winner. He is an active member of the Rotary Club of Canton and an adjunct instructor for Reinhardt University’s Master of Public Administration Program.