CEO Biography

Richard Gardell, President/CEO

In July, 2006, 180 Degrees entered a new phase in its history when Richard (Dick) J. Gardell assumed leadership of the agency. Dick is a veteran of the justice system. In the 1970s, Dick was accepted as one of forty police officer candidates from a field of more than two thousand applicants. Dick turned the opportunity into a successful 31-year career. Dick rose quickly through the ranks he served in command positions for nineteen years and was an Assistant Chief in the St. Paul Police Department for five years. While with the Saint Paul Police Department he earned an MA in Criminal Justice and studied crisis management and leadership at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

As a police officer, Dick learned first hand that accountability and opportunity are ingredients necessary to turning troubled lives around, especially for youth. He put that knowledge to work on his personal time by volunteering with the YWCA, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, St. Paul Youth Services and RS Eden.

After retiring from the Saint Paul Police Department he assumed the position as President/CEO of 180 Degrees, Inc., where he welcomes the opportunity to directly impact the lives of both youth and adults at risk of or currently involved in the justice system. Dick states, “I recognize the need to hold individuals accountable for their actions while providing multiple opportunities to learn, to deal with addictions, and to develop skills such as job readiness and conflict resolution, so that they can be successful in turning their lives around.”

Since taking leadership of 180 Degrees, Inc. Dick has worked tirelessly to improve, develop and expand program services with a focus on opportunity through accountability. He plans to continue and enhance current programs in both the juvenile and adult divisions; focus on customer service; enhance staff mentoring and recognition; make capital improvements; ensure agency integrity; encourage community support and involvement; fill programming gaps identified by customers, clients and Board of Directors; and participate in corrections training and professional activities.

Since being hired in 2006, Richard Gardell has been recognized as a leader in the area of Juvenile Justice. On January 25th, 2008, Governor Tim Pawlenty appointed Richard Gardell, President and CEO of 180 Degrees to a three year term as Chair of the Minnesota Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee. Previously the Vice-Chair, In 2009 Richard was elected chair of the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice (FACJJ). FACJJ is made up of representatives of each state and six territories. The group advises the president and congress on matters related to juvenile justice. FACJJ also evaluates the progress of juvenile justice activities and projects nationwide. Governors of each state nominate representatives to the committee. Gardell is beginning his fourth year as the representative from Minnesota. For more information about FACJJ, go to www.facjj.org.

When Dick joined the staff at 180 Degrees, he wrote, "I will work hard to lead 180 Degrees in a manner that motivates each of our employees to serve our customers, clients and the greater community in such a way as to earn their trust and support...with each and every encounter we have with them. I will be involved in the community we serve, as I have been all my life, leading by example in building a safer society by helping offenders rebuild successful lives."

Freddie Davis-English, Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Freddie Davis-English spent more than 30 years as a Hennepin County Community Corrections administrator. Her career began as a childcare worker at the Hennepin County Home School and after several promotions she served as superintendent of the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center.

While serving as a Division Manager at Hennepin County, Ms. Davis-English developed program options for both adult and juvenile female offenders. She was also the Hennepin County Community Corrections Coordinator for Limited English Proficiency client services.

Freddie's civic engagement activities includes serving as board chair of YouthLink, Inc., an organization serving homeless and precariously housed youth in Minneapolis. She has also chaired the board for African American Family Services and was a member of the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center Board for many years.

Ms. Davis English has served on numerous local, state and national committees and task forces that advocate for improving the lives of young people and their families. She was vice-chair of the Minnesota Behavioral Health and Therapy licensure board and was a previous Chair of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Affordable Housing Advisory Council for the five state area. As a member of the Minnesota Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee she co-chairs the DMC (Disproportionate Minority Contact) committee.

Other volunteer work includes serving as member of Supreme Court Race Bias Implementation Committee and the Supreme Court Juvenile Justice Committee that proposed the Extended Juvenile Justice Legislation.

Freddie is married To William (Bill) English a retired Corporate Executive -and they are the proud parents to Amber Nicole English, Public Policy Manager for the South East region of Planned Parenthood in Atlanta Georgia.