Serving with Purpose

This story originally appeared in the 2024 Aeolian magazine.

Director Chris Hosey and other GSW Alumni Lead the Way in GBI

For Chris Hosey (’87), the call to serve and protect Georgia runs deep. As the Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, his unwavering dedication to the state's safety and its people is evident in the way he talks about his decorated 37-year career with the Bureau. Hosey’s commitment is not just a professional duty but a personal mission rooted in his lifelong passion for justice, community service and public safety.

This devotion is a testament to his upbringing, influenced by his parents and cultivated during his time at Georgia Southwestern State University as a sociology major. Hosey, a native of Coweta County, Ga., credits his parents for raising him to “help people” and “always do the right thing,” which shaped his desire to enter a career pathway in law enforcement.

Although it was a baseball career that brought Hosey to GSW, his desire to study criminal justice faced an initial challenge since the program was not offered at the time. "My advisor, Dr. David Smith, played a crucial role in shaping my academic path,” Hosey shares. “With his guidance, I tailored my courses to encompass more than just criminal justice, focusing on areas like social behavior. Dr. Smith cared about his students and wanted to see us strive for a profession."

Hosey quickly adapted by delving into political science, which offered him relevant knowledge and skills. "This approach significantly impacted my academic journey and fostered a well-rounded experience," he says. In addition to academics, Hosey put his all into baseball.

"Despite the initial academic hurdles while juggling baseball and other extracurricular activities, I found it fulfilling to be part of the college community," Hosey says. "Overall, my college experience at GSW was both rewarding and impactful, allowing me to gain diverse perspectives and skills beyond my initial focus on criminal justice."

During a GSW job fair, Hosey considered the NCIS but knew he wanted to stay in Georgia and avoid being confined to one area. After speaking with Americus GBI agents Jim Covington and Don Robertson, Hosey realized the GBI offered the same professionalism as the FBI and other federal agencies, with the advantage of staying local while still investigating crimes. "That's how I decided on the GBI,” Hosey explains. “I was ready to pay my dues to get where I wanted to be.”

Shortly after graduating from GSW in 1987, Hosey joined the GBI’s Local Violators Squad as an undercover narcotics agent eager to get his foot in the door. Since then, Hosey has held every sworn supervisor rank in the Bureau’s investigative division, working across the state in various capacities.

In 2001, he was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge of a multi-jurisdictional drug task force and played a pivotal role in establishing the GBI’s first Regional Drug Enforcement Office (RDEO). From 2008-2012, he served as Special Agent in Charge at both the Region 5 Statesboro Office and at Savannah RDEO. By 2012, he had advanced to Inspector overseeing drug operations, various general investigative offices and the GBI Training Unit.

In addition to his field experience, Hosey furthered his education by attending the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College through Columbus State University, a program tailored for law enforcement executives, where he earned a master’s in public administration. He is also a graduate of the 247th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.

Hosey’s path to his current role included a series of increasingly responsible appointments in recent years. In 2020, former GBI Director Vic Reynolds appointed him as Director for the Investigative Division, followed by his promotion to Assistant Director by former GBI Director Michael Register in 2022. Hosey was ultimately appointed Director by Governor Brian Kemp in August 2023. He now oversees the more than 975 employees and manages a budget of $162.5 million.

While he cannot a pick a favorite position he’s held over the years, Hosey says being Director has certainly been rewarding and interesting. “As Director, there is a much larger playing field that I look at each and every day. It's not just the Investigative Division. There is the Crime Lab, the Medical Examiner's Office, the Georgia Crime Information Center, finance and human resources,” Hosey says. “I have great people in all of these areas who handle all the day-to-day business. I try to get them the resources they need. I’m here to support them.”

One of Hosey’s favorite aspects of his work is the ability to solve a problem with a team and bring resolution to situations and to affected families. It makes the job worthwhile for him.

Georgia is currently facing growing gang violence, officer-involved shootings, human trafficking, child exploitation and corruption. Hosey explains “Violence in general; crimes against persons is our largest challenge and keeps us the busiest in the Investigative Division. That includes homicide, sexual assaults, child molestations, deaths and officer involved shootings.”

Under Hosey’s leadership in his first year and with the support of Governor Kemp, the GBI created the West Georgia Gang Task Force in Columbus to address gang violence and criminal activity; expanded the Gang Task Force to include Macon-Bibb County; reinstated Certified Criminal Profilers to enhance criminal investigations; began to focus on unsolved murders and homicides through the newly created Cold Case Unit; and graduated several students from its Leadership Academy and two from the bureau’s Forensic Pathology program.

Each of these initiatives requires the prioritization of the greater good over personal gain, a quality that Hosey recognizes in leaders across the GBI. “There's one thing I try to do when I get up every morning and that's ensure that I don't let [the GBI] down. I want to see the entire agency succeed,” Hosey says. “Whatever I do, I do it for the good of the agency and for the people of this state. They depend on us.”

For the new GBI agents Hosey teaches in his Officer Survival class, he has one recommendation: “Find purpose.”

“If you’re looking to clock in at 8 a.m., clock out by 5 p.m. and check boxes in between, you’re in the wrong place. It becomes a career when you look for purpose,” Hosey says. “I want [our agents and employees] to understand the GBI’s mission is to serve the people of this state. That’s why they call it public service. It’s having that kind of outlook that helps you stay. It’s helped me stay this long.”

Hosey also credits his wife, Powell, of 35 years for supporting him and encouraging him every step of the way. They currently reside in Thomaston and have two daughters, Mary Beth and Julianne.

His successful, fulfilling career has been fueled by passion and a strong work ethic. He plans to retire from the profession he loves, but only “when the good Lord tells me it’s time.” His humility and dedication are truly inspiring, transforming his work into something far more than just a job.

Hosey's journey exemplifies the profound impact a GSW education can have on one’s career and life. His influence extends to other GSW alumni within the GBI, whose leadership further demonstrates the University’s lasting impact on law enforcement professionals.

Among these leaders is Special Agent in Charge Joe Chesnut (’94, ’96) of the GBI Region 3 Field Office in Americus. A native of Lumpkin, Chesnut earned a bachelor’s in political science and master’s in business administration from GSW. He credits his political science curriculum and favorite instructor, Kent Sole, with laying the foundation for his 27-year career in the GBI. “These classes required reading and understanding the Constitution along with the political structure,” Chesnut says. “Research papers improved my writing skills, reading comprehension and critical thinking. Debates enhanced my ability to take a position on a subject and defend it.” 

Before transferring to Americus in 2020, Agent Chesnut established the Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office in Albany, and served as the Special Agent in Charge of the West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office in Atlanta for 10 years. He is also a graduate of the 251st session of the FBI National Academy.

Reflecting on his career, Chesnut finds the development of his employees to be the most rewarding aspect. “Currently, there are 20 GBI supervisors who have worked directly for me in some capacity. I hope I have instilled some leadership qualities in these employees that led to their success.”

He and his wife, Robyn (‘04), a GSW Foundation board member, are actively involved in GSW alumni activities such as the Gold Force Gala and events hosted by the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, to which he owes lifelong friendships.

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Bryan Smith (‘98) of Albany, who served with Agent Chesnut as Assistant Special Agent in Charge in the Region 3 Office in Americus, was recently named the Crime Scene Specialist leading the GBI’s newly formed Crime Scene Program. Agent Smith graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology from GSW before beginning his 20-plus-year career with the GBI. He graduated from National Forensics Academy in 2007 and is certified as a Crime Scene Technician and Crime Scene Analyst.

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Another GSW alum paving the way is Catherine Jordan (’03) of Ellaville who was recently promoted to Manager of the GBI’s Central Regional Crime Lab in Dry Branch, after serving as Assistant Manager since January 2024. Jordan earned her bachelor’s in chemistry from GSW and went on to receive another bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Georgia Tech. Her journey within the GBI started as a trainee in the Firearms & Toolmarks section at GBI Headquarters in 2005, and then she moved on to the GBI’s Western Regional Crime Lab in 2007.

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Special Agent in Charge Bill Bodrey (’95) of Unadilla is training the next generation of agents as the Director of Training at the GBI Training Unit in Forsyth. Agent Bodrey graduated from GSW with a bachelor’s in psychology before earning a master’s in public safety administration and graduate in the 281st session of the FBI National Academy. He started his 28-year career with the GBI as a narcotics agent and worked his way through the ranks. Agent Bodrey credits GSW’s English department and his psychology professors, Dr. Michael Urda and Dr. William Dragoin, for the success he’s seen throughout his career. He shared, “I took several public speaking classes which have proven to be very helpful to me in my current job responsibilities where public speaking is needed.”

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John Seay (’70) worked for the GBI for 28 years, with a total of 40 years in law enforcement before retiring as Thomson Police Chief in 2019. Seay credits GSW and his political science professors, Kent Sole and Dr. Ruth Roland, for his fulfilling law enforcement career. “Without my college degree, I could not have gone to work with the [GBI].” He also owes his marriage of 50-plus years to his alma mater.

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Chris Hosey embodies the three core elements of the GSW Experience: people, purpose and profession. With the support of mentors like Dr. Smith during his college years, Hosey found his purpose in law enforcement—a purpose he now shares with fellow GBI agents. His journey from student to leader exemplifies how GSW’s values have shaped his path to leadership and service.

Although these GSW graduates followed different academic paths, their journeys led to a shared commitment to public service. Today, GSW offers a variety of relevant courses for aspiring law enforcement professionals, including an online criminal justice program, sociology, political science and a new chemistry concentration in forensics. These programs equip students with the knowledge and skills essential for success, addressing critical needs like the shortage of forensic pathologists.

GSW has a long history of cultivating influential leaders, as shown by the achievements of its distinguished alumni. From humble beginnings, Chris Hosey has joined the ranks of these remarkable leaders, contributing to the lasting impact GSW alumni have had on our state, nation and across the world. Thank you for your service.