Handling Special Cases and Initiatives in the Prosecutor’s Office: Policy Maker’s Think Tank
I’d like to extend my warmest appreciation to Yamhill County District Attorney Bradley Berry and all of the prosecutors in Oregon for welcoming NDAA to Portland, Oregon, for our recent summer conference. I would also like to extend a very special thanks to District Attorney Michael Schrunk and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office for all of their efforts and gracious hospitality during our stay in their beautiful city. I would like to recognize NDAA’s Summer Conference Committee, which did an outstanding job planning the conference.
The National Association of Prosecutor Coordinators (NAPC) strategically planned their summer meeting to coincide with the NDAA Summer Conference. Our organizations worked together throughout the week and will continue to work together to better the prosecutorial community. On behalf of NDAA, I would like to thank the NAPC for their hard work and graciousness while we were in Portland.
The theme of the conference, “Handling Special Cases and Initiatives in the Prosecutor’s Office: Policy Maker’s Think Tank,” provided participants an opportunity to focus on cases and projects associated with management of issues that affect prosecutors. Topics addressed included technology as a tool being abused by criminals and increased media exposure of prosecutor ethics. I am proud to report that a few famous names made appearances at this year’s conference. Chris Hansen of Dateline NBC, author Ann Rule and Dayle Hinman of Court TV took time out of their busy schedules to address our conference attendees. These representatives of the entertainment industry have made personal commitments to spread awareness and knowledge about criminal investigations through the media. Their attendance is an illustration of the national recognition and status of our organization and of the potential we have to affect the prosecutorial community.
In addition to these media personalities, NDAA was honored to have former NDAA board member and the current governor of Colorado, Bill Ritter. Governor Ritter addressed our board members during the full board of directors meeting and spoke to the conference attendees at the President’s Lunch. I’d like to extend my appreciation to Governor Ritter for attending the conference and for remaining steadfast in his support of prosecutors and the pursuit of justice.
As so often happens, the association had to say goodbye to many members who have contributed considerable time and energy to our organization throughout their careers. The following individuals have provided outstanding service and made significant contributions to NDAA: James E. Thomas, State’s Attorney, Hartford Judicial District, CT; Kevin Cockrell, County Attorney, Montgomery County, KY; Mary T. Lacy, District Attorney, 20th Judicial District, CO; Paul Logli, former NDAA president and State’s Attorney, Winnebago County, IL; and Robert F. Horan, Jr., Commonwealth’s Attorney, Fairfax County, VA.
The board of directors also welcomed several newly seated board members during the board meeting including Bruce Brown, president of the National Black Prosecutors Association and Richard Ceballos, president of the National Hispanic Prosecutors Association. We are proud of the working relationship we have developed with these two organizations and I am pleased to welcome their presidents to NDAA’s board of directors. I would also like to welcome NDAA’s new state directors: Richard Svobodny, Deputy Attorney General, AK; Sheila Polk, County Attorney, Yavapai County, AZ; Gerald Shea, District Attorney, San Luis Obispo County, CA; Larry Abrahamson, District Attorney, 8th Judicial District, CO; Timothy Liston, State’s Attorney, Middlesex Judicial District, CT; Joseph R. Biden III, Attorney General, DE; Karen Greene Blondell, Commonwealth’s Attorney, 44th Judicial Circuit, KY; Keith Clouatre, County Attorney, Coos County, NH; Don White, Prosecuting Attorney, Clermont County, OH; new directors-at-large are: Katherine Rundle, State Attorney, 11th Judicial Circuit, Miami, FL; James Avigliano, County Prosecutor, Passaic County, NJ; and Paul Howard, District Attorney, Atlanta Judicial Circuit, GA. I look forward to working together with these new board members in the coming year to continue to provide outstanding training and services to prosecutors across the nation.
The 2007 Summer Conference had one of the highest attendance rates of our previous conferences. I would like to thank all of those who attended and presented, thereby making the conference another success for NDAA. Planning for next year’s conference is already underway and I can only hope that it will be as outstanding as this year’s conference.
