March-April 2014

Your 2014 Foundation Board

Rob Kepple

TDCAA Executive Director in Austin

The Texas District and County Attorneys Foundation has enjoyed great leadership since its launch in 2006, and the 2014 Board has brought an enthusiastic start to the new year. I want to welcome the newest members of the Board: Kenda Culpepper (CDA in Rockwall County), Tony Fidelie (former ACDA in Wichita County), Helen Jackson (former ADA in Harris County), and Mark Yarbrough (former CA in Lamb County). We are off to a great start.
    The 2014 Executive Committee includes Bert Graham (Chair and ADA in Harris County); Barry Macha (President, General Counsel at Midwestern State and former CDA in Wichita County); and Kathy Braddock (President-Elect and ADA in Harris County).

Priorities for 2014
The Foundation was created as a way to connect our profession with folks in the community who share our vision of a safer Texas. Since the support of prosecution became a state priority in 1970 with the passage of the Professional Prosecutors Act, the professional home of Texas prosecutors, TDCAA, has worked to constantly improve your ability to serve your community as a minister of justice. But in this day and age we can’t rely on the state or the county alone—it takes help from the community you serve. The Foundation is here to help you connect you with that community.
    In this next year, the Foundation will support a number of trainings and assistance programs. Thanks to enduring funding made possible by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, the Advanced Trial Advocacy Course at the Baylor School of Law is again on track to be a great event. We will also educate additional TDCAA faculty with the Foundation’s support of our Train the Trainer conference. Another priority this year is filling the Victim Services Director position left vacant with the untimely passing of our friend and colleague, Suzanne McDaniel. This Foundation-supported staffer will be a great boost to your work assisting the victims of crime in your jurisdictions.
    Finally, stay tuned as publications, seminars, and support come your way thanks to the work of the Foundation Board and Advisory Committee.