‘It’s a dream job.’ Meet the new warden for Muscogee County Prison
Update: The Columbus Council approved Herbert Walker’s appointment Tuesday.
Original: The Muscogee County Prison could soon have a new warden.
Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson recommended Herbert Walker to fill the position. Walker’s appointment must be approved by the Columbus Council, which is scheduled to vote on the matter during its November 9 meeting.
The city conducted a national search for the position, according to a news release from the mayor’s office. Walker would replace interim warden Sherman Thomas, who took the position following the retirement of Dwight Hamrick.
“Walker will bring a new perspective to Muscogee County Prison. He has vast experience in corrections having served at multiple levels,” Henderson said in a statement.
Walker has more than two decades of corrections experience, with 14 years in senior management roles. He previously served at Lawrenceville Correctional Center and Robert A. Deyton Detention Center.
Most recently, Walker provided security services for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the release.
Walker was previously the owner/CEO of Third Base Security & Consulting LLC. State records list Walker as an organizer on Third Base’s 2018 business formation documents.
The company was administratively dissolved by the office on Sept. 30 for “for failure to file its annual registration, failure to maintain a registered agent or registered office in this state, and/or failure to submit payment for a dishonored fee payment or for fees, taxes, or penalties owed,” according to documents. State records show Third Base did not file its annual registration in 2021.
In an interview with the Ledger-Enquirer, Walker said he tried to go into business for himself, but it didn’t get off the ground. Then, he said, COVID-19 “killed my dream.”
“I never had a client,” he said.
Walker graduated from Mercer University with a bachelor’s and master’s degree. He is currently a PhD candidate at Walden University where he is studying public policy and administration. Walker currently lives in McDonough, Georgia.
“I’m excited to be part of the community,” Walker said. “It’s a dream job.”
This story was originally published November 5, 2021 at 6:00 AM.