Bredesen Appoints Members to Governor's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 | 10:38am
NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today announced 13 appointments to the Governor’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. The Council was created by Executive Order 63 to collaborate with and coordinate the services of state and local government agencies and non-governmental entities in the criminal justice system to increase public safety.
The Council is the recommendation of a group of stakeholders in the criminal justice system that began meeting informally in November 2007. The group made its recommendation to the Governor in September 2009 that a permanent Council be appointed.
“Protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Tennessee is one the highest priorities of state government,” said Bredesen. “I appreciate the willingness of these 13 men and women to serve the state on this important Council, which is charged with coordinating the efforts of multiple state and local agencies that share responsibilities for criminal justice system and non-government organizations like victim advocacy groups and faith-based service providers that also play critical roles.”
The Council is composed of 19 members representing state and municipal officials, the judicial system, law enforcement, and other stakeholders. Thirteen members are appointed by the Governor. The other six members include the Commissioners of Children’s Services and Correction, the Chairman of the Board of Probation and Parole, one member of the Tennessee Senate to be selected by the Speaker of the Senate, one member of the Tennessee House of Representatives to be selected by the Speaker of the House, and the Executive Director of the Tennessee General Assembly’s Select Oversight Committee on Correction.
Memphis Mayor A C Wharton will chair the Council. “I’m very pleased at the level of expertise represented by the members of this Council and am honored to serve as its chair,” said Wharton. “We appreciate the confidence Governor Bredesen has shown in us and look forward to serving the citizens of the state of Tennessee in this role.”
- A C Wharton, Shelby County, representing a city or county mayor
- Seth Norman, Davidson County, representing a criminal court judge
- Ben Strand, Jefferson County, representing a juvenile court judge
- Ardena Garth, Hamilton County, representing a public defender
- Randy York, Putnam County, representing a district attorney general
- Ronal Serpas, Davidson County, representing a chief of police of an incorporated municipality
- David Woolfork, Madison County, representing a county sheriff
- David Delbridge, Davidson County, representing a criminal justice-related business executive officer
- Mark Lipsey, Davidson County, representing a college faculty member with criminal justice expertise
- Linda Leathers, Davidson County, representing a non-profit supplier of services to the criminal justice system
- Rev. George T. Brooks Sr., Davidson County, representing a faith-based organization
- Jody Folk, Davidson County, representing a victim’s rights organization
- Frank Sutherland, Williamson County, as a citizen of Tennessee
For more information, please see Executive Order 63.
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