The Executive Office is comprised of the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, Director At Large, and two Administrative Assistants. The office is responsible for administrative functions with and for the Board of Governors, Executive Committee, and Delegate Assembly. This office deals with all ACA Committees, the Commission on Accreditation, international relations and work, Federal Government relations, and presents and manages the budget of ACA. The Executive Director is hired by the Board of Governors and all ACA employees are hired by the Executive Director.
The Finance Director is responsible for the budget, receipt of all income and payments for all expenses. The finance office ensures ACA’s outside audit is complete, all local, state and federal regulations/laws are in compliance, and taxes and fees are paid.
The MIS Director is responsible for all information technology systems, all in-house technology services, the web-page, and any other support services.
James Gondles
Executive Director
James Gondles has been Executive Director since 1991. Previous to this position, he served one year as ACA Executive Director Designee. He was an Arlington County, Virginia, deputy sheriff for eight years and served three terms as elected sheriff before resigning to join ACA. He is a member of many organizations and a Certified Association Executive (CAE) with the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). He is a graduate of Oklahoma City University.
Jeffrey Washington
Deputy Executive Director
Jeffrey Washington has served ACA as its Deputy Executive Director since 1995. Earlier, he served in the Standards and Accreditation Department as Acting Director, Administrator, Deputy Administrator and Regional Administrator dating back to 1986. Prior to joining ACA, Mr. Washington served as a Program Coordinator for the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections (1985-86) and as a correctional officer and staff person for the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections (1982-85). Mr. Washington attended the University of Virginia and a member ACA.
Jeffrey Washington has served ACA as its Deputy Executive Director since 1995. Earlier, he served in the Standards and Accreditation Department as Acting Director, Administrator, Deputy Administrator and Regional Administrator dating back to 1986. Prior to joining ACA, Mr. Washington served as a Program Coordinator for the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections (1985-86) and as a correctional officer and staff person for the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections (1982-85). Mr. Washington attended the University of Virginia and a member ACA.
Debbi Seeger
Director of the Executive Office
Debbi Seeger is currently the Director-Executive Office of ACA—a position she assumed in September 2012. In this position she has responsibility for a myriad of responsibilities and special projects. Debbi resigned from ACA in 2006 because of relocation out of the D.C. area to assist her husband with his business. When she returned to the area – she returned to ACA. She began her career at ACA in 1987 as a temp and was then hired full time as an Executive Assistant to the Director of the Conventions Department, followed by a promotion to the Executive Office in 1991 where she served until her 2006 departure. Prior to ACA, Debbi worked for General Electric and Control Data Corporation. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Specialized Business and has followed up that degree with many other job related courses and training throughout her career.
Meet the Director of Finance
Hok Gao graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and went on to get his Certified Public Accounting license in October 1998. His first full charge accounting job was in 1994 with a charitable nonprofit organization. Over the past 20 years, he has progressively continued with this career path of not-for-profit accounting and administration. Currently, he provides full services of finance, employee benefits, and Human Resources to the American Correctional Association as well as grant reporting.