2:00PM
Roanoke, VA
Council Members Present
Officers:
Shannon L. Taylor (Henrico County), Chairman
Anton A. Bell (Hampton), First Vice Chairman
Bryan L. Porter (Alexandria), Second Vice Chairman
Julia H. Sichol (Westmoreland County), Secretary
Council District Representatives:
1. Krystyn L. Reid (York County)
2. Matthew R. Hamel (Chesapeake)
5. Bethany A. S. Harrison (Lynchburg)
6. David L. Ledbetter (Waynesboro)
9. Robert M. Lilly (Giles County)
10. Amy M. Ashworth (Prince William County)
Other Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Present
Donald S. Caldwell (Roanoke City)
Jeff Haislip (Fluvanna County)
Meredith D. Adkins (King & Queen County)
Jane Wrightson (Northumberland County)
Georgette C. Phillips (Isle of Wight)
Ramin Fatehi (Norfolk)
Derek A. Davis (Surry County)
Susan O. Fierro (Prince George County)
Megan L. Clark (Prince Edward County)
R. Bryan Haskins (Pittsylvania County)
John Alexander (Botetourt County)
Heather D. Hovermale (Winchester)
Eric L. Olsen (Stafford County)
Christian E. Rehak (Radford)
M. Andrew Nester (Henry County)
Buta Biberaj (Loudoun County)
Scott C. Hook (Fauquier County)
Mike Jones (Wythe County)
Stacey T. Davenport (Chesterfield County)
Tracy Q. Martin (Halifax County)
Anne M. Williams (Clarke County)
Wendy Hannah (Cumberland County)
Tiffany Webb (King William County)
Lyle Carver (Amherst County)
Les Fleet (Appomattox County)
Win Consolvo (Greene County)
Allen Nash (Mecklenburg County)
Josh Cumbow (Washington County)
Bryan Cave (Page County)
Brandon Boyle (Grayson County)
Tiffany Buckner (Petersburg)
Mary Pettitt (Montgomery County)
Roger Brooks (Carroll County)
Spencer Morgan (Accomack County)
Chris Singleton (Bath County)
Tim Martin (Augusta County)
Roy Evans (Smyth County)
Daniel Rutherford (Nelson County)
Eric Cooke (Southampton County)
Justin Griffith (Pulaski County)
Jim Hingeley (Albemarle County)
Elizabeth Humphries (Fredericksburg)
Colette McEachin (Richmond)
Keri Gusmann (King George County)
Guests
Charlie Moore (Bath County Commonwealth’s Attorney-elect)
John Lumpkin (Goochland County Commonwealth’s Attorney-elect)
Megan Yelen (Highland County Commonwealth’s Attorney-elect)
Russ Rabb (Culpeper County Commonwealth’s Attorney-elect)
Amanda Mann (Dinwiddie Commonwealth’s Attorney-elect)
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorneys Present
Keith Blankenship (Smyth County)
Phillip Nichols, Jr. (Greensville County/Emporia)
Lori DiGiosia (Stafford County)
Daniel White (Greene County)
Marie Walls (Gloucester County; Commonwealth’s Attorney-elect Mathews Co.)
Erin Barr (Colonial Heights; Commonwealth’s Attorney-elect Chesterfield Co.)
Ryan Mehaffey (Spotsylvania Commonwealth’s Attorney-elect)
Mackenzie Babichenko (Hanover County Commonwealth’s Attorney-elect)
Tabitha Anderson (Virginia Beach)
Phillip “Bucky” Blevins (Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney-elect)
Matt Pollard (Salem)
John McNeil (Roanoke)
Steve Eubank (Fredericksburg)
CASC Staff Present
Jane Sherman Chambers
Elliott Casey
VACA Staff Present
Amanda Howie, Administrator
Call to Order
Ms. Taylor called the meeting to order at 2:10 p.m.
Minutes
The draft minutes from the November 8, 2023, meeting were previously posted and circulated to Council. The minutes were approved as submitted.
Chairman’s Report
Ms. Taylor introduced Deputy Secretary of Public Safety & Homeland Security Josh Humphries. Mr. Humphries expressed his appreciation for the luncheon meeting with Council & VACA leadership and encouraged open communication and cooperation between his office and Commonwealth’s Attorneys.
Administrator’s Report
Ms. Chambers reviewed the agenda items:
Old Business
CATF Update
Ms. Chambers reviewed the CATF balance sheet reflecting account activity through October 31, 2023.
Executive Program Update
Ms. Chambers reported that 161 people registered to attend the Executive Program. A copy of the training agenda was circulated with the agenda for the Council meeting.
The Virginia State Bar approved the agenda for 8 MCLE hours, with 2 in Ethics and 1.5 in Wellbeing. She reminded attendees that the VSB now has a Wellness option when reporting MCLE hours online.
2023 New Officer Training
Ms. Chambers reported that the 20 newly elected Commonwealth’s Attorneys should have received an invitation from the Comp Board to attend New Officer Training. She asked that if they have not, to please let her know. She explained that the first 1.5 days have an agenda set by the Comp Board, while the second half of the agenda is set by CASC & VACA. VACA will host a dinner on Thursday night.
NAPC Winter Meeting
Ms. Chambers reported that the National Association of Prosecutor Coordinators (NAPC) will hold their 2023 Winter Meeting at the Williamsburg Lodge from December 4 – 7. CASC has worked closely with NAPC on the meeting and breakout agendas with an eye toward utilizing local resources such as the W&M Law School and the National Center for State Courts. CASC personnel will staff the conference and provide AV services. CASC is providing conference food & beverage and VACA is hosting a social event. Virginia has hosted NAPC twice in the past 2 years, for which NAPC is very grateful.
Updated 2024 CASC & VACA Meeting & Events Calendar
Ms. Chambers circulated an updated meeting & events calendar. She asked that everyone disregard the one sent out with the November 8, 2023, Council meeting agenda because some Legislative Watch dates have changed.
New Business
Secretary of Public Safety & Homeland Security Terrance “Terry”Cole
Deputy Secretary Humphries gave Secretary Cole’s regrets for having to leave after the lunch with CASC & VACA leadership. He explained that Secretary Cole had to leave for another commitment, but that he looks forward to having regular discussions with Commonwealth’s Attorneys going forward.
Request from W&M Law School Professor
Professor Adam Gershowitz from the W&M Law School requested assistance with an article he is drafting entitled “The Prosecutor Vacancy Crisis.” Ms. Chambers encouraged members to respond to his request for an interview, noting that Professor Gershowitz will allow interviewees to review the final draft of his article before submission for publication.
Public Comment
None.
Adjournment
There being no further business before Council, the meeting adjourned at 2:32 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is January 23, 2024, 11:00 noon, at the CASC offices at Truist Place (formerly SunTrust Building), 919 E. Main Street, Suite 1250, Richmond.