Public Services Agency Director, New Chief Marshal Appointed

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA -- 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,” County Manager Jerry Cooper said. “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 Cherokee Sheriff’s Office 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 Cherokee Sheriff’s Office’s Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) accreditation and state certification.

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,” Gianfala said. “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 1994, he gained experience in the Adult Detention Center, Traffic Unit, Uniform Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations and the Cherokee Multi Agency Narcotics Squad.