Foundation Board Members

Jeff L. Karpel

• 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: jkarpel@karpelfoundation.org

Jeff Reisig

• 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: jreisig@karpelfoundation.org

Kevin S. Brackett

• 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

• 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: bberry@karpelfoundation.org

Jennifer M. Joyce

• Circuit Attorney – City of St. Louis
• Became elected prosecutor in 2001, currently serving her fourth term
• 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: Jjoyce@karpelfoundation.org

John Choi

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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