Karpel Foundation Board of Directors
Board Directors:
- Jeff Reisig
- Kevin S. Brackett
- Bradley C. Berry
- Jennifer M. Joyce
- John Choi
- Spencer Merriweather
- Jean Peters Baker
- Jeannine Pacioni
- Morgan Gire
- Stephen Kunzweiler
- Kenda Culpepper
- John D. Miller
- Sim Gill
- J. Charles “Charlie” Smith III
- Leesa Manion
Jeff L. Karpel
Qualifications:
- Current Owner, President and Chief Software Architect of Karpel Solutions
- Creator and developer of software for Judicial Systems across America
- Project Manager for approximately 400 judicial case management implementations across 30 states
- Personally trained over 2500 users on how to effectively use judicial case management software
- Recipient of the 2011 Best Service Award by Small Business Monthly
- Nominee for 2012 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
- Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America and Top 100 Companies in Missouri
- Over 35 years of experience developing and improving business practices using technology
Duties:
Chairman of the Board, President and Treasurer
Email:
Jeff Reisig
Qualifications:
- District Attorney - Yolo County, California
- In 2001, selected to spearhead the development and oversight of the Yolo County District Attorney's first multi-agency gang task force to deal with the emerging threat of organized gangs, guns and drugs throughout Yolo County. Over the next several years, Reisig successfully prosecuted some of the most violent and serious criminals in Yolo County including gang leaders, major drug dealers and cop killers.
- Began his career as a prosecutor with the Yolo County District Attorney's Office in 1997. Voted Yolo County Prosecutor of the Year for three consecutive years in 2003, 2004 and again in 2005.
- Under his leadership and the mantra “Justice Finds No Solace in Delay,” the District Attorney's Office spearheaded the efforts to make the criminal justice system in Yolo County more efficient by aggressively demanding swift justice for all criminal cases in Yolo County. By dramatically increasing the number of cases taken to trial each year and consistently advocating for victims' speedy trial rights, he has delivered solace to the victims of crime waiting for justice and has helped eliminate jail overcrowding.
- District Attorney Reisig is the recipient of numerous awards. California's largest victim advocacy association, Crime Victims United of California, recognized him as a key advocate in the fight for victims' rights and honored his efforts in helping to secure California's passage of Marsy's Law in November 2008. Reisig has also been honored for his work in combating domestic violence and his commitment to ending child truancy.
- Member of the California District Attorneys Association
- Member of the National District Attorneys Association
Duties:
Director
Email:
Kevin S. Brackett
Qualifications:
- Kevin Brackett is the Solicitor for the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit which is comprised of York and Union counties. He has been a prosecutor in the office since becoming a lawyer in 1991 and was appointed by the Governor to assume the duties of the Solicitor upon the retirement of former Solicitor Tommy Pope in November of 2006. In 2008 and again in 2012 Kevin was elected to full four year terms.
- Prior to that he was chief deputy solicitor and together with Tommy made the 16th Circuit the statewide leader in efficient and effective prosecution. This was accomplished by implementation of innovative docket management methods in adult and juvenile courts as well as taking the office “paperless” in 2003.
- During his career Kevin was recognized as the South Carolina Prosecutor of the Year in 1998. In addition, he has lectured nationally to numerous prosecutors groups on case management and the use of technology to enhance efficiency and been asked to testify regarding legislation pending before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.
Duties:
Director
Email:
kbrackett@karpelfoundation.org
Bradley C. Berry
Qualifications:
- District Attorney -- Yamhill County, Oregon
- Previously served as Deputy District Attorney -- Yamhill County, Oregon
- Member of the Oregon Chief Justice Advisory Committee
- Member of the Board of Directors of the National District Attorneys Association
- Past President of the Oregon District Attorneys Association
Duties:
Director and Secretary
Email:
Jennifer M. Joyce
Qualifications:
- Former Circuit Attorney – City of St. Louis
- Became elected prosecutor in 2001, served four terms
- Began her career as a prosecutor at the Circuit Attorney’s Office in 1994. Handled more than 700 felony cases, including robbery, rape, assault, child abuse and more
- Leads a team of approximately 140 professionals committed to keeping people safe
- Implemented innovative community prosecution practices and co-created the Neighborhood Ownership Model, designed to engage city residents and reduce crime
- Serves on the Board of Backstoppers, the St. Louis Regional Crime Commission and the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, former Board member of the Missouri Bar Association
- Member of the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, National District Attorney’s Association, the Missouri Bar Association, the Women Lawyer’s Association of Greater St. Louis and the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and other organizations
- Has lectured around the country on prosecutorial issues, practices and matters. Taught various courses to law enforcement students as Adjunct Professor at St. Louis Community College
- Graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law in 1987, practicing at a private firm before joining the Circuit Attorney’s Office
Duties:
Director
Email:
John Choi
Qualifications:
- Ramsey County Attorney – Saint Paul, Minnesota.
- A state and national leader in progressive justice reform, especially involving gender-based violence. Has innovative approach to holding abusers accountable, while working collaboratively with advocacy agencies to help victims, and has transformed the way government intervenes in domestic abuse and sex trafficking in Minnesota. Determined to do the same for victims of sexual assault. A champion of raising boys and engaging men to prevent violence against women and girls.
- Successfully advanced legislation to reunite families when it’s in foster children’s best interest.
- Developed the use of lethality assessments and GPS technology to keep domestic violence victims safe.
- Created pre-charge diversion for adult offenders.
- Successfully advocated at the state to reform drug laws and redirect savings to community reinvestment.
- Established a Veterans Court.
- Executive member of the Institute for Innovation in Prosecution.
- Serves on the board of the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
- Previously served as Saint Paul City Attorney (2006-2010) and spent a decade in private practice.
Duties:
Director
Spencer Merriweather
Qualifications:
- District Attorney for Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
- After having been appointed in 2017 by N.C. Governor Roy Cooper, DA Merriweather was elected in 2018 to a full term.
- DA Merriweather previously served as an Assistant District Attorney for over a decade, prosecuting cases ranging from sexual assault and domestic violence crimes to drug trafficking and homicides. For a full year, he was the assigned prosecutor in three different Drug Recovery Courts, where he served as part of a treatment team, helping offenders confront addiction.
- Since taking office, Merriweather has emphasized victim-centered responses to domestic, sexual and child violence, expanded access to restorative justice programs, and led the call for a Family Justice Center in Mecklenburg County.
- DA Merriweather is Vice Chair of the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys’ Major Counties Council and an incoming Board Member of the National District Attorneys Association. He’s an active member of the National Association of Black Prosecutors, a past President of the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, and an active supporter of Charlotte’s Community Building Initiative, an effort to promote values of equity and inclusion in the region’s government, nonprofit, and business sectors.
Duties:
Director
Jean Peters Baker
Qualifications:
- Appointed prosecutor in May 2011 and elected to the position three times. She is only the second woman elected to lead the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.
- Coordinator of the Drug Abatement Response Team (DART).
- Excellence Award for Advancing COMBAT Objectives with police agencies and community advocates.
- Rookie Attorney of the year and Victim Advocate of the Year.
- Kansas City No Violence Alliance.
- Missouri State Representative.
- Chairwoman of the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.
- Jean grew up on a struggling family farm, received a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College in Columbia, MO, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law.
Duties:
Director
Jeannine Pacioni
Qualifications:
- Ms. Pacioni received her Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University and Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of San Diego, School of Law in 1990.
- In 1990, she worked as a Deputy District Attorney for the Kern County District Attorney’s Office and in 1992 she joined the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.
- Ms. Pacioni previously served as an elected Board Member of the California District Attorney Association and resumed this position in October 2021.
- Currently, she serves as a Board Member of the Monterey County Children’s Council, Child Abuse Prevention Council, Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, and is the founding member of the Monterey County Multi-Cultural Community Council. She is also a member of the Community Alliance for Safety and Peace, Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Sexual Assault Response Team, Monterey County Bar Association, National District Attorneys Association and the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.
- On November 21, 2019, Ms. Pacioni was recognized by the Monterey County Women Lawyers Association as the 2019 recipient of the Lady Justice Lifetime Achievement Award for Legal Advocacy and Community Service.
- Chairwoman of the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.
- In 2019, she was elected and became the first female District Attorney in Monterey County.
Duties:
Director
Morgan Gire
Qualifications:
- In April 2020, the Placer County Board of Supervisors appointed Morgan Briggs Gire.
- Morgan Gire has been practicing law for more than 20 years, including 15 years at the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office where he served as an assistant chief deputy district attorney.
- Born and raised in Placer County, Gire served in a variety of prosecutorial roles throughout his two-decade-long career, conducting more than 100 jury trials involving complex issues faced in criminal law.
- During his time with the Sacramento D.A.’s office, Gire served five years in the Gangs and Hate Crimes Division and was later selected to lead the Justice, Training and Integrity Division.
- In his role as an assistant chief deputy, Gire continued overseeing the Justice, Training and Integrity Division, along with the Community Prosecution Unit, Legislative Affairs, Government Relations, as well as the Community Outreach and Media Relations Division.
Duties:
Director
Stephen Kunzweiler
Qualifications:
- Steve is the elected District Attorney for Tulsa County, Oklahoma and took office in January, 2015.
- Steve was hired by former District Attorney Tim Harris as an Assistant District Attorney in Tulsa County, Oklahoma in January 2002.
- He was appointed Chief of the Criminal Division in 2004 where he Supervised felony, misdemeanor and juvenile division prosecutors.
- Prosecutes all major crimes including Death Penalty Eligible Homicides, Child Abuse, Elder Abuse and Exploitation, DUI Manslaughter, and Drug Trafficking, Instructs and trains prosecutors across the state in topics ranging from jury selection, examination of witnesses, introduction of evidence, and closing argument.
- Provides instruction to law enforcement agencies.
- Member of the Oklahoma District Attorney's Association. Appointed to the Governor's Impaired Driving Prevention Advisory Council.
Duties:
Director
Kenda Culpepper
Qualifications:
- Kenda is the Criminal District Attorney – Rockwall County, Texas
- In office since November of 2008, Kenda was the first woman to take office as a District Attorney in the history of North Texas (an area currently encompassing over 9 million people).She started her career as an Assistant District Attorney in the Dallas County DA’s Office where she was a prosecutor in the misdemeanor and felony trial divisions, trying everything from DWI and drug cases to aggravated robbery and murder cases.
- She has been Board Certified in Criminal Law since 1999 and is designated as a master in the Mac Taylor American Inns of Court.
- Kenda is a past President of the Texas District and County Attorneys Association and was named as the “Texas Prosecutor of the Year” in 2021.
- She is the Texas delegate to the National District Attorneys Association Board and on the NDAA Executive Committee.
- She serves on the Board of Directors for the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation, and the Texas Bar College. She is a co-founder of the Rockwall County Children’s Advocacy Center and the North Texas Regional Veterans Court, the first of its kind in the nation.
- In 2015, she was part of the team of lawyers and investigators who won the statewide “Lone Star Award” for their work in the capital murder conviction of former Justice of the Peace Eric Williams, who killed the Kaufman County District Attorney, his wife and one of his assistant DA’s.
- She has been selected by Texas Monthly as a “Texas Super Lawyer”, by D Magazine as one of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” and by Forbes SkyRadio as one of “America’s Most Influential Women”. In 2022, she was named by the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research’s City Journal as one of “The Five Best Prosecutors in America”.
Duties:
Director
John D. Miller
Qualifications
- Lapeer County Prosecuting Attorney in the state of Michigan
- Elected to serve as Prosecuting Attorney for Lapeer County in 2021 and reelected in 2024.
- Served as the Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Lapeer County from 2013 until 2017. Returned to private practice until elected.
- Worked for 16 years as a manufacturers representative covering Michigan and Western Ohio before and while becoming a lawyer in private practice.
- Earned a Master of Public Administration from Oakland University in Rochester, MI in 2003. Earned my Juris Doctor from Cooley Law School in 2010.
- Received a bachelors degree in Business Management from Oakland University in Rochester, MI in 1994.
- Lifelong resident of Lapeer County, MI. Graduate of Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, MI.
Duties:
Director
Sim Gill
Qualifications
- Current District Attorney of Salt Lake County, first elected in 2010.
- DA Gill is a progressive champion on issues of therapeutic justice and alternatives to prosecution
- Sim has pursued a pragmatic approach to criminal justice recognizing that reform is possible without compromising public safety.
- Sim believes in taking a systems approach to the issues of criminal and social justice, focusing on collaborative and community-oriented approaches. Data driven, evidence based, intentionally strategic and collaborative problem solving are critical to ensuring Justice, Fairness and Equality to our community.
- Sim believes that when crime happens it causes injuries to victims, offenders, and the communities where crime happens. True Justice is the repairing of all injuries.
- Sim has collaborated on the implementation of various therapeutic justice programs including: pre-filing diversions, mental health court, veterans court, domestic violence court, drug court, the Salt Lake Area Family Justice Center, Conviction Integrity Unit, and Camp Hope/Pathways Program. These approaches seek to rehabilitate offenders, support survivors, and assure public safety through a criminal justice system focused on justice, fairness, and proportionate accountability.
- Sim graduated from the University of Utah with a B.A. degree in History and Philosophy. He received his J. D. degree and certificate of specialization in Environmental and Natural Resources Law from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon.
Duties:
Director
J. Charles “Charlie” Smith III
Qualifications
- Currently Serves as the State's Attorney for Frederick County, Maryland. In his 5th elected term, he is currently the longest-serving State’s Attorney in Maryland.
- Graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Science in Finance in 1986. He then pursued a Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of Law, graduating cum laude, with high honors, in 1990.
- He began prosecuting cases in the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office in 1991. After a brief stint in private practice, in 1998 SA Smith returned to prosecuting in Frederick County, Maryland serving as the Chief of the Special Victims Unit and as the office’s Deputy State’s Attorney (First Assistant).
- He is a Past President and Treasurer of the Maryland State’s Attorneys Association. SA Smith is very involved in the Frederick County and City communities, serving on numerous Boards such as the Frederick Rescue Mission, Faith House, Frederick Health Hospice, and Child Advocacy Center Boards.
- In 2015, he elected by his peers as the Maryland State Director for NDAA. SA Smith also served on the NDAA Legislative Committee since 2016, the Executive Committee as NDAA Treasurer since 2019, and on the Investment Committee since 2020. He stepped down as NDAA Treasurer when elected as NDAA President-Elect in 2022.
Duties:
Director
Leesa Manion
Qualifications
- Elected King County Prosecuting Attorney in November of 2022, Leesa has invested in strengthening relationships with law enforcement and community-based partners across King County to combat gun violence, improve crime victim services, and enhance behavioral health interventions to help address harmful behavior.
- Under Leesa’s leadership, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (PAO) has championed victim services by launching a first of its kind digital Protection Order Portal, creating mobile access to important safety resources.
- Since her election, Leesa has made improving quality of life conditions for King County residents and small businesses a priority. In 2023, the PAO initiated a pilot program aimed at enhancing the prosecution of retail crimes in partnership with the Seattle City Attorney’s Office, law enforcement, and the Retail Industry Leaders Association.
- Prior to her election, Leesa served as the PAO’s Chief of Staff for 15 years. In that role, Leesa implemented effective programs that improved public safety, enhanced victim services, and reduced racial disproportionality.
- Leesa Manion is the first woman, the first person of color, and the first Asian-American to be elected to serve as King County Prosecuting Attorney. Leesa is also the first Korean-American woman in the United States to be elected Prosecuting Attorney. In 2024, she helped launch the first ever Pacific Northwest Chapters of the Korean Prosecutors Association and the National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association.
- Outside of the office, Leesa serves on the Board of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility and served for 12 years on the Board of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. She is an award-winning member of the Korean Prosecutors Association and a member of the Korean American Bar Association (KABA) of Washington.
Duties:
Director