District Of Columbia 2023-2024 Regular Session

District Of Columbia Council Bill PR25-0866 Compare Versions

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Old	New	Differences
1	1	MURIEL BOWSER
2	2	MAYOR
3	3	Ju
4	4	ne 20, 2024
5	5	The Honorable Phil Mendelson
6	6	Chairman
7	7	Council of
8	8	the District of Columbia
9	9	John A. Wilson Building
10	10	1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
11	11	Washington, DC 20004
12	12	Dear Chairman M endelson:
13	13	In accordance with section
14	14	2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
15	15	142;
16	16	D.C. Official Code § 1-523.01), and pursuant to section 4 of the Office on Ex-Offender Affairs
17	17	and Commission on Re-Entry and Ex-Offender Affairs Establishment Act of 2006, effective March 8,
18	18	2007
19	19	(D.C. Law 16-243; D.C. Official Code § 24-1303), I am pleased to nominate the following
20	20	individual:
21	21	Mr. James Berry, Jr.
22	22
23	23	16th Street, NW
24	24	Washington, DC 20012
25	25	(Ward 4)
26	26	for
27	27	reappointment as a public voting member of the Commission on Re-Entry and Returning Citizen
28	28	Af
29	29	fairs, for a term to end August 4, 2026.
30	30	Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-m entioned
31	31	nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
32	32	I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
33	33	do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
34	34	Reappointments, should the Council require additional information.
35	35	Sincerely,
36	36	Muriel B owser
37	37	Mayor 1
38	38	2
39	39	3 at the request of the Mayor
40	40	4
41	41	5
42	42	6 A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
43	43	7
44	44	8
45	45	9
46	46	10 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
47	47	11
48	48	12
49	49	13
50	50	14
51	51	15 To confirm the reappointment of James Berry, Jr. to the Commission on Re-Entry and Returning
52	52	16 Citizen Affairs.
53	53	17
54	54	18 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that this
55	55	19 resolution may be cited as the "Commission on Re-Entry and Returning Citizen Affairs James
56	56	20 Berry,
57	57	Jr. Confirmation Resolution of 2024".
58	58	21 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the reappointment of:
59	59	22
60	60	23 Mr. James Berry, Jr.
61	61	24 16th Street, NW
62	62	25 Washington, DC 20012
63	63	26 (Ward 4)
64	64	27
65	65	28 as a public voting member of the Commission on Re-Entry and Returning Citizen Affairs,
66	66	29 established by section 4 of the Office on Ex-Offender Affairs and Commission on Re-Entry and
67	67	30 Ex-Offender Establishment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-243; D.C.
68	68	31 Official Code § 24-1303 ), for a term to end August 4, 2026.
69	69	32 Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
70	70	33 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
71	71	34 Sec.
72	72	4. This resolution shall take effect immediately. James D. Berry, Jr.
73	73	EXPERIENCE
74	74	DEPUTY DIRECTOR
75	75	COURT SERVICES AND OFFENDER SUPERVISION AGENCY FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
76	76	633 Indiana Avenue, N.W.
77	77	Suite 1244
78	78	Washington, DC 20004
79	79	2014 to 2022
80	80	Serves as a close advisor to the Director of CSOSA.
81	81	Acts for and represents the Director in fulfilling her leadership duties in directing the Agency,
82	82	which includes a staff of over 850 employees.
83	83	Responsible for the execution of the Agency mission and the Director’s vision through high level
84	84	executive leadership. Responsible for overseeing select CSOSA operations and ensuring
85	85	accountability to strategic priorities through a team of high-ranking Associate Directors with
86	86	responsibilities covering a range of staff, administrative and operational programs.
87	87	Directs CSOSA’s top leaders to ensure the development of business plans and program
88	88	requirements. Oversees the development of strategic and tactical initiatives designed to meet
89	89	organizational objectives.
90	90	Serves as CSOSA’s representative in meetings with high level officials to present and negotiate
91	91	strategies for the Agency. Serves as a key CSOSA representative and spokesperson with other
92	92	Federal agencies, state and local governments and the private sector. Serves as a key leader in inter
93	93	and intra agency task forces and committees to respond to congressional regulatory inquiries.
94	94	CHIEF, COMMUNITY DEFENDER DIVISION
95	95	PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
96	96	680 Rhode Island Avenue, N.E., Suite H-5
97	97	Washington, D.C., 20002
98	98	2002 to 2014
99	99	Served as the Chief of the Public Defender Service’s (PDS) Community Defender Division (CDD),
100	100	with responsibility for the overall planning, development and management of all aspects of PDS’
101	101	community defense initiative in providing resources and services to adults and juveniles in the D.C.
102	102	criminal justice system who were in the post-adjudication stage of a criminal case and under
103	103	criminal justice supervision.
104	104	Served as the principal advisor to the Director of the D.C. Public Defender Service on mattersrelating to PDS’ Community Defender Division. Kept the Director fully informed of issues,
105	105	problems and decisions made regarding CDD programming as well as concerning critical mattersthat affected the success rate of CDD staff and PDS’ clientele.  Developed, coordinated and managed all aspects of CDD’s three programs (Community Reentry,
106	106	Institutional Services, and Juvenile Services). Developed as well as implemented operating
107	107	procedures for all three initiatives. Exercised budgetary discretion and provided recommendations
108	108	to the Director that impacted operational planning, integration and the overall budget of CDD.
109	109
110	110	 Provided direction on policy and all procedural matters relating to the operations of CDD. Also,
111	111	directed and managed the planning, evaluation and special initiative processes for CDD. Was
112	112	responsible for helping to coordinate planning activities for the development of a financial
113	113	management plan, the annual PDS budget, GPRA and performance measures, and PDS’ overall
114	114	goals and objectives. Directed the development and maintenance of qualitative and quantitative
115	115	program information and assessed the impact of this information on performance measures,
116	116	outcomes and expenditures.
117	117
118	118	 Performed the full range of managerial and supervisory responsibilities, including organizational
119	119	planning and alignment, position management, interviewing and hiring for subordinate positions,
120	120	staff training and development, performance evaluation, resolving employee grievances and
121	121	disciplinary cases and approval of leave and work-life options.
122	122
123	123	 Developed and supervised community outreach initiatives. Managed and monitored the
124	124	development of CDD partnerships with legal and other advocacy groups, faith-based groups,
125	125	charitable groups, and community and other organizations that provide services to indigent people.
126	126	Actively cultivated effective working relationships with such agencies to promote and enhance the
127	127	organization’s community defense strategy. Supervised the development, publication and
128	128	distribution of written materials for community outreach. Also, represented the Public Defender
129	129	Service at top management meetings, conferences and other gatherings that related to the PDS’
130	130	client-centered, holistic approach to community defense.
131	131
132	132	COMMUNITY RELATIONS SPECIALIST, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY JUSTICE PROGRAMS
133	133	COURT SERVICES AND OFFENDER SUPE RVISION AGENCY FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
134	134	1230 Taylor Street, N.W., Suite 102
135	135	Washington, D.C. 20011
136	136	2000 to 2002
137	137
138	138	 Reported directly to the Associate Director of Community Justice Programs and was responsible
139	139	for coordinating community outreach, support and public information programs designed to
140	140	facilitate community-oriented criminal justice supervision, increase offender accountability,
141	141	respond to community concerns, and enhance public safety.
142	142	 Established and maintained a system of contacts in assigned communities to assure continuous and
143	143	effective communications between community members and the Court Services and Offender
144	144	Supervision Agency (CSOSA).
145	145	 To gain citizens’ trust and support for community-oriented supervision, planned community and
146	146	committee meetings as well as represented CSOSA in these and other gatherings with federal, state,
147	147	local and community officials, and with community representatives.
148	148	 Educated all parties about CSOSA’s programmatic goals to facilitate cooperative partnerships.
149	149	 Prepared written and oral status reports to apprise the Associate Director of Community Justice
150	150	Programs and others of community responses, community needs, and strategies to respond to
151	151	community concerns and program adjustments that were necessary to meet specific community
152	152	priorities.
153	153	SENTENCING SPECIALIST, OFFENDER REHABILITATION DIVISION
154	154	PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
155	155	633 Indiana Avenue, N.W.
156	156	Washington, D.C. 20001
157	157	1975 to 2000
158	158
159	159	Duties included short and long-term individual counseling of clients manifesting a wide range of
160	160	social, emotional, psychiatric, drug and/or alcohol related problems; the development and
161	161	preparation of psycho-social assessments for presentation in the D.C. Superior and U.S. District
162	162	Courts; as well as functioning as an advocate for clients in social service delivery systems to
163	163	facilitate entry into community programs as an alternative to incarceration.
164	164
165	165	MILITARY
166	166	CORRECTIONAL SPECIALIST, 140
167	167	th
168	168	MILITARY POLICE COMPANY
169	169	UNITED STATES ARMY
170	170	Fort Gordon, Georgia
171	171	Correctional Specialist
172	172	1972 to 1974
173	173
174	174	Inducted into the United States Army shortly after my graduation from college.
175	175	Attended the United States Army Military Police School at Fort Gordon, Ga. and was the
176	176	Distinguished Graduate of Class 30 in 1973.
177	177	Was promoted three times (to the rank of Specialist 4th Class) during my first six months of service
178	178	in the U.S. Army.
179	179	Within the first year of entry, was promoted a fourth time to the rank of Acting Sergeant.
180	180	For the remaining year of my enlistment, served as a Shift Commander of the maximum security
181	181	cell-block at Fort Gordon.
182	182	Was honorably discharged in September 1974.
183	183
184	184	CIVIC AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTS (Partial List)
185	185
186	186	CHAIRPERSON, CHIEF OF POLICE CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COUNCIL
187	187	METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
188	188	Washington, D.C.
189	189	Incumbent
190	190
191	191	MAYORAL APPOINTEE
192	192	COMMISSION ON REENTRY AND EX -OFFENDER AFFAIRS
193	193	Washington, D.C.
194	194	2012 to Present
195	195
196	196	PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
197	197	MAYOR OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA’S JUVENILE JUSTICE ADVISORY GROUP
198	198	Washington, D.C.
199	199	2009 to 2014 MEMBER, COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL
200	200	D.C. DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH REHABILITATION SERVICES
201	201	Washington, D.C.
202	202	2007 to 2011
203	203
204	204	PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE REPRESENT ATIVE
205	205	COMMUNITY-ORIENTED DEFENDER NETWORK
206	206	Washington, D.C.
207	207	2006 to 2014
208	208
209	209	EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
210	210	WASHINGTON, DC POLICE FOUNDATION
211	211	Washington, D.C.
212	212	2004 to Present
213	213
214	214	MEMBER, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (2002 TO PRESENT)
215	215	MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS (1994 TO PRESENT)
216	216	COUNCIL FOR COURT EXCELLENCE
217	217	Washington, D.C.
218	218
219	219	CHAIRPERSON
220	220	ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER’S (CITYWIDE) ASSEMBLY
221	221	Washington, D.C.
222	222	1998 to 2006
223	223
224	224	CHAIRPERSON
225	225	ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 5C
226	226	Washington, D.C.
227	227	1991 to 2005
228	228
229	229	COMMISSIONER
230	230	ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 5C
231	231	SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT 5C01
232	232	Washington, D.C.
233	233	1989 to 2006
234	234
235	235	PRESIDENT
236	236	BATES AREA CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC.
237	237	Washington, D.C.
238	238	1986 to 2010
239	239
240	240	MEMBER, CLASS OF 1995
241	241	LEADERSHIP WASHINGTON
242	242	Washington, D.C.
243	243	1995 EDUCATION
244	244
245	245	UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
246	246	Master of Arts, Counseling, 1980
247	247
248	248	VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY
249	249	Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice, 1972
250	250
251	251	LICENSURE
252	252
253	253	Licensed in the District of Columbia as a Professional Counselor
254	254	Licensed in the District of Columbia as an Independent Clinical Social Worker
255	255
256	256	REFERENCES
257	257
258	258	Furnished upon request.
259	259	JDB
260	260	Executive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
261	261	John A. Wilson Building \| 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 \| Washington, DC 20004
262	262
263	263
264	264
265	265
266	266	James Berry Jr.
267	267
268	268	Mr. James Berry Jr. is a retired Deputy Director of the Court Services
269	269	and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia
270	270	(“CSOSA”) and is a current member of the Commission on Re-Entry
271	271	and Returning Citizen Affairs.
272	272	As the Deputy Director of CSOSA, Mr. Berry was the advisor to and
273	273	representative of the Director in fulfilling her duties. He was responsible
274	274	for executing the Director’s vision by overseeing operations and
275	275	accountability through leading a team of Associate Directors as they
276	276	managed staff through administrative and operational programs. Mr.
277	277	Berry has served on numerous civic boards including the Council for
278	278	Court Excellence, the DC Police Foundation, and as the chairperson of the Chief of Police
279	279	Citizens’ Advisory Council.
280	280	A Ward 4 resident, Mr. Berry earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Villanova
281	281	University and his Master of Arts in Counseling from the University of the District of Columbia. GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
282	282	Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
283	283
284	284	Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
285	285
286	286
287	287	______________________________________________________________________________
288	288	The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 • Office (202) 724-7681
289	289
290	290	To: Tomas Talamante, Steve Walker
291	291	From: Betsy Cavendish
292	292	Date: June 7, 2024
293	293	Subject: Legal sufficiency review of Resolutions nominating James Berry, Jr., Kennetta
294	294	Calloway, Larry Moon, James Dunn, Ricardo W. Sheppard, Maurice Tyree, and
295	295	Myra Woods as members of the Commission on Re-Entry and Returning Citizen
296	296	Affairs
297	297	This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced resolutions and
298	298	found them to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not
299	299	hesitate to call Erika Satterlee, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at 202-
300	300	724-1303, or me at 202-724-7681.
301	301
302	302
303	303	______________________________
304	304	Elizabeth A. (Betsy) Cavendish
305	305
306	306