Meet our Executive Team
Meet our executive staff who have served the community for almost 200 years of combined service. The Superintendent has the longest tenure in corrections with a career of 42 years in the industry.
Superintendent
Jerry R. Townsend
Mr. Jerry R. Townsend is the current Superintendent at Piedmont Regional Jail Authority located in Farmville, Virginia. A Prince Edward County native, Mr. Townsend began his extensive career with the Virginia Department of Corrections as a Correctional Officer at Powhatan Correctional Center. Mr. Townsend, having worked at various prisons, flourished and was promoted through the ranks of Assistant Warden and Superintendent. In Mr. Townsend’s 41 years of service, he has positively impacted and ensured the safety of many communities through his hard work, dedication, knowledge and camaraderie. He is a model to others wishing to advance in their careers, speaking volumes to his character and leadership abilities. Throughout his career with the Department of Corrections, Mr. Townsend has held many security, leadership, evidenced-based and dialogue business practice certifications. He earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Administration of Justice at Southside Community College and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Mr. Townsend is not afraid to take on challenges for the betterment of others and has proven this by running and being elected for membership on Prince Edward County’s Board of Supervisors and becoming a Certified County Supervisor by the Virginia Association of Counties. Mr. Townsend embodies wisdom and is a forward-thinking visionary. He believes that working as a team, embracing and sharing different perspectives, treating others with respect and implementing new initiatives leads to enhanced and impactful operations at regional levels. Mr. Townsend is the loving and devoted husband to his wife, Michelle, and father to his daughter, Chelsie. He is a faithful member of New Bethel Baptist Church and an active member of the Diaconate Ministry. In his free time, he enjoys playing softball, and spending quality time with his family.
Major Royal Eanes
Major Royal J. Eanes started his correctional career at Piedmont Regional Jail in January of 2005. He started as a Jail Officer working his way up through the ranks of Corporal, Sergeant, Investigator, Lieutenant, Chief of Security and as of December 2022, Director of Security and Operations. Major Eanes has an associate degree in Electronics Technology from Southside Virginia Community college and is a Microsoft Certified Professional. He has facilitated and supported the facility’s technology and hardware since 2012. He is a Certified Jail Manager and member of the American Jail Association.
Major Lanay Walker
Major Walker began her career at Piedmont Regional Jail in 2001 as a Jail Officer. She was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2005. In 2014, she was promoted to Chief of Administration and as of December 2022, she is the Director of Jail Administration and Support Services. Major Walker has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Ferrum College and a Masters degree in Human Services with a concentration in Business from Liberty University. She completed the inaugural class of Virginia Association of Regional Jails and served as an Advisor. She is a Certified Contracting Associate with Commonwealth of Virginia and an American Certified Jail Manager.
Captain Steve Wade
Captain Steve Wade began his career with Piedmont Regional Jail in 2001 as a Jail Officer and became DCJS Certified in 2002. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2011, then Lieutenant in 2016. Captain Wade received his Virginia Association of Regional Jails (VARJ) Leadership in 2018 and was promoted to Chief of Operations in 2019. Captain Wade was appointed to the Chief of Security in December of 2022.
Lt. Sherard Tisdale
Lieutenant Sherard Tisdale began his career with Piedmont Regional Jail in 2004. Lieutenant Tisdale received his Department of Criminal Justice Certification in 2005. He was promoted as a Corporal in 2006 supervising the shift, then Sergeant in 2007. One year later, he was promoted to Lieutenant of the 12-8 shift. Lieutenant Tisdale received his Virginia Association of Regional Jails (VARJ) Leadership on May 11, 2016. He became Chief Jailor in January 2021. In this role, he trains employees, oversees Lieutenants, acts as a liaison between the Lieutenants and the Chief of Security, and assists with Institutional Classification Committee hearings.
Bridgett Tisdale
Director of Compliance & Accreditation
Bridgett Tisdale Started with Piedmont Regional Jail in March of 1999 as a Jail Officer. Throughout her tenure, Mrs. Tisdale has worked in various areas of the Jail including Security, Records, Programs, Transportation and in 2023 she assumed her role as Director of Compliance and Accreditation. As Director of Compliance and Accreditation, Mrs. Tisdale oversees PREA, Programs, Offender Grievances, and the Jail’s Work Release and Home Electronic Incarceration.
Gloria Giles
Administrative Assistant / Secretary
Mrs. Giles has been employed at Piedmont for 20 years. She has held various positions during these years.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK:
Mrs. Giles is the administrative assistant to the Superintendent. She is responsible for payroll and all related functions including year end and quarterly tax reporting. She manages accounting procedures and assists with the preparation of the annual operating budget. Other duties include bank deposits and account reconciliations, maintaining contract files, health insurance benefits administrator, and VRS account manager for monthly reporting. She also manages accounts for voluntary deductions and performs clerical and secretarial duties as required. She serves as the FOIA officer, supervises the inmate accounts clerk and is also the secretary to the Board of Directors for Piedmont Regional Jail Authority.
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Ashley Moses
Human Resource Director
Mrs. Moses has been employed at Piedmont Regional Jail Authority for five years. Prior to becoming Human Resource Director for the Jail, she worked for the state of Virginia for five years in various positions. She is responsible for the overall operation of human resource functions for Piedmont Regional Jail Authority. Mrs. Moses is a Society of Human Resource Management-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and holds her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resource Management.
Melissa Case
Accounts Payable Manager
Mrs. Case has been employed at Piedmont Regional Jail since July 1995.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
Mrs. Case is responsible for all accounts payable. This includes billing of contracted beds and transports, juvenile meals, inmate data exchange, and medical bills for OOC offenders. She is responsible for ordering all administrative office supplies. Mrs. Case is responsible for inmate health insurance claims and makes all training and travel arrangements. She manages the staff member accountable for Commissary and Employee accounts and receptionists and fills in for the Administrative Assistant as needed. She reports directly to the Superintendent.