Governor Abbott Appoints Eight To Crime Victims’ Institute Advisory Council
Governor Greg Abbott appointed Representative John Smithee and Alexis Nungaray and reappointed Senator Joan Huffman, Lee Ann Breading, Libby Hamilton, Emmitt Jackson, Jr., Brandi Reed, and Erleigh Wiley to the Crime Victims’ Institute Advisory Council to terms set to expire on January 31, 2027. The Council is charged with conducting an in-depth analysis of the impact of crime on victims, close relatives of deceased victims, guardians of victims and society.
Representative John Smithee of Amarillo represents Texas House District 86 and is chair of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. He is an attorney. Smithee received a Bachelor of Business Administration from West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) and a Juris Doctor from Texas Tech University (TTU) School of Law.
Alexis Nungaray of Houston is a student at Lone Star College. She is an angel mom and crime victims’ advocate. Nungaray is also a member of Texas Crime Victims United.
Senator Joan Huffman of Houston serves as the State Senator for District 17 and is currently Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and member of the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice. She previously served as Chief Felony Prosecutor, Special Crimes Gang Prosecutor, and Legal Counsel to the Organized Crime Narcotics Task Force for the Harris County District Attorney’s office. Prior to her election to the Texas Senate, she was twice elected Judge to the 183rd Criminal District Court in Harris County. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Child Advocates. Huffman received a Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University and a Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law.
Lee Ann Breading of Denton is the District Judge of the 462nd Judicial District Court. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Criminal Law Advisory Commission, and Judicial Administration Exam Commission of the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS). She is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the TBLS and past president of the Denton County Bar Association and served on the Texas Center for Judiciary Board for a 3-year term. Breading received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.
Libby Hamilton of San Antonio is the program director of post-conviction victim services for the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. She is a committee member of the Association of Paroling Authorities International Texas Victim Services Association, Texas District & County Attorneys Association Victim Impact Statement Revision Committee, and Victim Services Coalition. She volunteers with Project Beloved. Hamilton received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from St. Edwards University.
Emmitt Jackson, Jr. of Argyle is Chief of Police for the Argyle Police Department. Previously, he was employed with the Dallas Police Department for 15 years until he resigned as a lieutenant to serve as Chief of Police for the City of Keene. Jackson is a board member of Denton County Friends of the Family. He is a member of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Jackson received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Lamar University.
Brandi Reed of Amarillo is the CEO of Family Support Services of Amarillo. She received a Bachelor of Arts from WTAMU and has advanced training in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, human trafficking response, and victim advocacy.
Erleigh Wiley of Mabank is the Criminal District Attorney of Kaufman County. She is an executive board member of the Texas District & County Attorneys Association, member of the Kaufman County Juvenile Board, and a former member of the State Bar of Texas Child Abuse and Neglect Committee. She volunteers as a partner agency member with the Children’s Advocacy Center for Kaufman County, and as a board member with the Kaufman County Children’s Shelter and previously with the Texas Health Resources in Kaufman. Wiley received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from TTU and a Juris Doctor from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law.