Governor Abbott Appoints Eight To Texas Crime Victims’ Institute Advisory Council
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed James Mosely for a term set to expire on January 31, 2021 to the Texas Crime Victims’ Institute Advisory Council. Additionally, he appointed Lindsay Kinzie and reappointed Matt Ferrara, Ph.D., Shawn Kennington, Gene Pack, JD Robertson, Andrea Sparks, and Hector Villarreal for terms set to expire on January 31, 2022. 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.
James Mosley of Borger is the Judge of the 316th District Court. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and Colorado, American Board of Trial Advocates, and the Administration of the Rules of Evidence Committee for the State Bar of Texas. He volunteers with local Boy Scout troops and is a lifetime member of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. Mosley received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Colorado, a Master’s in Public Administration from Troy State University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Denver. Additionally, he was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force at the rank of Captain.
Lindsay Kinzie of Fort Worth is the legal program director with The Gatehouse – Grapevine. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and a member of the Family Law section, Poverty Law section and Criminal Justice section. Kinzie received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Abilene Christian University and a Juris Doctor degree from Texas Tech University School of Law.
Matthew L. Ferrara, Ph.D. of Austin is a self-employed forensic psychologist with over 30 years working with the criminal justice system in Texas. He is a member of the American Association of Correctional & Forensic Psychologists, Association for Treatment of Sex Abusers, and the American Association of Trail Consultants. He is the former Chief Psychologist of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Institutional Division and Texas Department of Juvenile Justice. Ferrara received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The University of Texas and a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology from Oklahoma State University.
Shawn Kennington of Pittsburg is a Constable of Camp County and is also a dual licensed Funeral Director and Managing – Consultant with Erman Smith Funeral Home. He previously served as Mayor of the city of Pittsburg. He is a member of the Texas Municipal Police Association and the Justices of the Peace and Constables Association. He volunteers with the Camp County Northeast Texas Rural Heritage Museum Board. Additionally, he is a member of the Funeral Service Education Program Board Advisory Committee at Northeast Texas Community College.
Eugene “Gene” Pack, Ph.D. of Houston is CEO and agent of Power Pack Productions and is retired from the automobile industry. He is a master level eighth degree black belt and was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame. He volunteers judging martial arts competitions. Pack received a Doctoral degree in Christian Leadership from Juliana King University. Additionally, he received an honorable discharge from the United States Army.
JD Robertson of Wimberley is the director of the Office of the Independent Ombudsman for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. He has previously served as an adjunct lecturer at both The University of Texas at Tyler and Texas State University. Additionally, he was a Major and a Captain with the Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety. He is a member of the National Tactical Officers Association and the FBI National Academy Associates. Robertson received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science in Applied Criminology from Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Andrea Sparks of Austin is the director of Governor Abbott’s Child Sex Trafficking Team. Previously, she held the position of Executive Director of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s Texas Regional Office, and as the Director of Public Affairs and Director of Public Policy and Outreach for Texas CASA. Sparks received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Tulane University and a Juris Doctor degree from The University of Texas School of Law.
Hector Villarreal of Alice is the site director and professor of criminal justice for Coastal Bend College and a reserve peace officer with the Kingsville Police Department. Previously, he served as a Senior Special Agent with the Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and as a Supervisory Border Patrol Agent with U.S. Border Patrol. He is a volunteer for the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Knights of Columbus. Villarreal received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Colorado Technical University, and is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree in Criminal Justice from North Central University. Additionally, he received an honorable discharge from the United States Army and the Texas National Guard.