Kory George reported to work Monday, Aug. 18, with the same enthusiasm to help people he’s displayed the past 30 years.
But, for the first time since he was a college senior, George did not report to the Wayne County Probation Department; instead, he entered a new role as executive director of Tippecanoe County Community Corrections. The change was a family decision for George, who spent 11 years as Wayne County’s chief probation officer.
“We just kept feeling that doors were being opened up for us,” he said.
George’s wife, Sarah, has been a Purdue University faculty member for two decades, but the 2024-25 academic year was her first on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus, where she won a campus-wide faculty award.
The Georges’ son, Jacob, will begin studying business at Purdue this fall with a trustees scholarship, and their daughter, Taylor, will be a junior at West Lafayette High School, playing varsity volleyball for coach Lindsay Morgan, part of the renowned Shondell volleyball family.
“Myself and my family, we just really view it as an opportunity,” Kory George said. “It’s neat that our kids are at a great place, and we’re just super proud of them.”
George said he appreciates the opportunities for his family in Wayne County, including his chance to work with the probation staff.
“We’ve got a tremendous staff here that really do the hard work on a daily basis, and it’s really just been a privilege and an honor to work and serve in the community and form the friendships and relationships that I have and our family has,” George said. “So mostly just thanks.”
Wayne County Council member Barry Ritter thanked George during an Aug. 6 meeting.
“The probation department is better off, the court system is better off for the things that you’ve done and the leadership you’ve provided,” Ritter said.
Path to probation work
A Hagerstown High School graduate, George was a criminal justice major at Ball State University when he first decided to pursue probation. He interned his final semester with Wayne County probation, and upon graduation, George was hired as an adult probation officer by Bob Chamness, who served as a mentor.
George said he’s always been a people person and a person who liked helping others. Probation provided the opportunity to connect with an entire spectrum of people.
“I think just that fast pace and having to pivot and use different skills, it just always attracted me,” George said.
The county probation department works with people who receive probation as a sentence after being convicted, providing accountability and support. Their efforts can help make the difference between a client getting into new kinds of trouble or being able to restore their lives and place in the community.
Chamness taught George about being a probation officer and the chief probation officer, who is appointed by and works with the county’s judges, representing them before council and commissioners. George said he took “very seriously” the idea of being the middle man and keeping the judges, council members and commissioners happy.
Council member Max Smith appreciated George’s efforts as the middleman.
“You’ve done a great job and been very cooperative with us, always available to answer questions,” Smith said. “You came to us and kept us informed as needed.”
George was appointed chief probation officer in 2014 and selected Adam McQueen his assistant chief. The county judges have now selected McQueen to succeed George. Jason Moore, who has spent six years at probation after stints with the sheriff’s department and Excel Center, will be McQueen’s assistant chief.
“In one way or another, Adam has been involved in everything I’ve done here and been a great No. 2 in command,” George said. “I am proud of what we’ve done as a department, and Adam will take the department to the next level just like I hope I did and Bob always wanted me to do. He’ll be fine.”
Council member Gary Saunders recognized Chamness’s influence.
“Kory’s been great to work with,” Saunders said. “He had a great teacher to begin with, and I’m sure he’s taught Adam every bit of what Bob taught him.”
Shifting methods, new initiatives
Probation has changed during George’s Wayne County career. The focus has shifted toward relationships and a “connection before compliance” strategy. During George’s tenure as chief, the department has worked to adopt programs that help clients reshape their thinking and provide strategies for improved decision-making.
The department renovated its space, implementing calming blues and greens, and selecting whimsical carpeting. Probation staff members wear name badges and escort clients into and out of the space, exchanging pleasantries.
“We try to not be institutional, not in our processes and not in our space and not in our practices, because at the core of what we do is a human and oftentimes some difficult situations,” George said.
Probation implemented new initiatives during George’s tenure that enjoyed success, but have now run their course. The county joining the state’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative coincided with George taking over as chief probation officer. He coordinated the county’s program that searches for better solutions than incarceration for juvenile offenders.
A family recovery court was formed to assist parents with addiction problems whose children were removed from their care by the Department of Child Services.
Probation implemented a drug diversion program at the request of Prosecutor Mike Shipman. Drug offenders could participate in the program and, upon completion, have criminal charges dismissed. George said the program had a relatively low success rate, but he would brag about those successes.
“We were just always proud that we helped that many individuals with drug diversion and their cases were ultimately dismissed,” George said.
George also oversaw the merger of Wayne County’s probation and community corrections departments, giving him insight into community corrections ahead of taking his new job in Tippecanoe County.
Four parts comprise that county’s community corrections department: work release, electronic monitoring, community service and a therapeutic wellness center. George said he’s excited for the wellness aspect that involves skill-building for better decision-making.
“It’s what I think of as a really cool operation because it gives the full array from a jail-like setting with the opportunity to go out and work and give back to the community or your home, and this piece around therapeutic wellness and clinical services,” George said.
With more than a decade of success in Wayne County, George said he’ll learn the culture and needs of his new department. He’s got “plenty of gas left in the tank” to confidently explore the new challenge.
“Just knowing that I’m seasoned enough as a professional to know there’s maybe some things I did right here, but there’s also some things that maybe I can do better in my next round, but still having enough energy and passion to really approach it with really a fresh set of eyes,” George said.
A version of this article appeared in the August 20 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.