Don Dease began his Correctional Career in 1974 as a Recreational Coordinator at MacDougall Youth Institution. From May 1976 through February 1980 he held various positions including Deputy Warden and Administrative Assistant. In February 1980 he was named Warden at Dutchman Correctional Region and promoted to Regional Director in 1983. Don served as Regional Director for 14 years and supervised 10 facilities. He retired as Institutional Division Director.

During his career Don was active in many professional organizations including South Carolina Correctional Association, American Correctional Association, Southern States Correctional Association and South Carolina State Employees Association. He is a graduate of the Citadel with a BS in Education, has a Master of Arts in Teaching and a degree in Criminal Justice. Don was inducted into the Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.

Don started volunteering for the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation in 1997 and started working for the CPO Foundation when he retired in 2002. You can see him all over the United States but primarily in the Southeastern States. The CPO Foundation currently has payroll deduction in 32 states. Don was very instrumental in acquiring payroll deduction for the CPOF in Georgia.