Upon earning a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance, Jon Garlick spent the first 20 years of his professional life in manufacturing accounting, ending that career as a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) serving as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Lee Brass Company in Anniston Alabama and at the McWane Science Center in Birmingham. During this time, he helped guide Lee Brass through the installation of a fully integrated manufacturing computer system and a turnaround through downsizing, bankruptcy, and sale. Garlick was instrumental setting up accounting procedures and systems for the McWane Science Center during their first full year of operation. Seeking to do something that more directly helped people, Garlick earned a Masters, in counseling and an Education Specialist degree from Jacksonville State University becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor and Certified Trauma Treatment Professional. He worked with at risk children and families, counseling, and teaching parent classes for the LINC Program, and is a Clinically Certified Juvenile Treatment Specialist. Choosing to help people when they are in the most need, he joined the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and became a Certified Law Enforcement Officer as well as a Certified Hostage Negotiator and Crisis Intervention Specialist. He developed and led the first Crisis Negotiation/Incident Management Team for the Sheriff’s Office and during that time became a Certified Homeland Protection Professional and a Court Security Specialist. Garlick eventually became a Certified Jail Manager and was Jail Administrator before becoming the first Mental Health Officer for Calhoun County and rising through the ranks from Sergeant to Lieutenant, attending the FBI National Academy, and retiring in 2019 as Chief Deputy. As an executive in both the public and private sectors, Jon has been responsible for budgets exceeding $50 million and companies with as many as 500 employees. He has experience in developing budgets for business and government as well as managing personnel under the civil service system. Jon has been an entrepreneur, operating a diving and salvage company and a short line railroad while living in Connecticut. He has served on the boards of various non-profit organizations including the Anniston Community Theatre, CAST, Deputy Sheriff’s Association, and Family Links. He has also served on the vestry at Grace Episcopal Church in Anniston, as well as the Childrens Policy Council, and Leadership Calhoun County. Jon was a winner of the Roy Crow citizenship award, JSU Alumni award as well as various Annie awards in community theatre. He has performed on stage and screen as an actor, Master of Ceremonies, and television personality. Jon has been a public speaker and presenter for many organizations, including the National Sheriff’s Association, the National Institute for Jail Operations, the Alabama Sheriff’s Association, the Alabama Jail Association, the Alabama Probate Judges Conference, the Out of the Shadows Summit, the Alabama Magistrates Conference, the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce, and the Alabama Attorney General’s Conference. Mr. Garlick is a member of the FBI National Academy Association, the Deputy Sheriff’s Association, the Alabama Counseling Association, and the National Counseling Association. He is registered with the TASA Group as an expert witness in both law enforcement and mental health. He served for 12 years with the Civil Air Patrol earning the rank of captain and completed both squadron leadership school and attended training at the Air Force Air University. Born in Connecticut and moving to Anniston in 1985, Jon raised his two daughters on his own. They are both successful nurses and have given him 7 grandchildren. Jon and his wife Lucie went to high school together and after many years have found each other again. Having been an active downhill skier, sailor, pilot, SCUBA diver, and performer, Jon has settled on enjoying his sailboat in Guntersville and playing his bagpipes. Currently Jon is in private practice as a licensed professional counseling supervisor (LPC-S) an adjunct professor at Jacksonville State University, and at the Law Enforcement Academies in Anniston and Tuscaloosa, using his training, education, and experience, as an expert witness, public speaker, and to facilitate change in people. The probate court is at the nexus of the crisis of mental illness, homelessness, and substance misuse. As probate judge Jon will continue to be an advocate for the better treatment and care for those who are in crisis. He will support legislation to enhance crisis response, increase treatment beds and develop more crisis diversion beds and programs. Jon knows all too well the effects these crises have on individuals, families, and first responders.