Governor Abbott Appoints Seven To Crime Victims’ Institute Advisory Council
Summary
Governor Greg Abbott reappointed Heather Ayala, Melissa Carter, Hillary England, Matthew L. Ferrara, Ph.D., Forrest Mitchell, Jeffery “JD” Robertson, and David Schwartz to the Crime Victims’ Institute Advisory Council for terms set to expire on January 31, 2028. <p>Governor Greg Abbott reappointed Heather Ayala, Melissa Carter, Hillary England, Matthew L. Ferrara, Ph.D., Forrest Mitchell, Jeffery “JD” Robertson, and David Schwartz to the Crime Victims’ Institute Advisory Council for terms set to expire on January 31, 2028. The Council is charged with conducting an in-depth analysis of the impact of crime on victims, close relatives of deceased victims, guardians of victims, and society.</p> <p><strong>Heather Ayala</strong> of Grand Prairie is the national director of victim services and volunteers for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. She is a member of the National Organization for Victim Assistance. Ayala received a Bachelor of Science in Counseling and Psychology from Nelson University (formerly known as the Southwestern Assemblies of God University).</p> <p><strong>Melissa Carter</strong> of Bryan is the victim assistance coordinator for the Brazos County District Attorney’s Office. She is the vice president and a board member of Every Victim Every Time, Inc., coordinator for the Brazos County Domestic Violence High Risk Team, and a member of the Brazos County Sexual Assault Response Team. Carter received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Baylor University.</p> <p><strong>Hillary England</strong> of Pflugerville is the deputy director of victim services and prevention programs in the Office of the Governor. Previously, she was director of trafficking and sexual violence prevention programs, and administrator of the Office of the Governor’s Sexual Assault Survivors’ Task Force. England received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Yale University and a Master of Social Work from the State University of New York at Buffalo.</p> <p><strong>Matthew L. Ferrara, Ph.D.</strong> of Austin is a self-employed forensic psychologist. Previously, he served as chief psychologist for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Correctional Institutions and the Texas Department of Juvenile Justice. He is a member of the Texas Psychological Association and the Association for the Prevention and Treatment of Sexual Abuse. Ferrara received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The University of Texas (UT) at Austin and a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology from Oklahoma State University.</p> <p><strong>Forrest Mitchell</strong> of Corpus Christi is retired and the former director of operations for the Nueces County Medical Examiner’s Office. Previously, he served as the chief inspector general for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. He is a member of the FBI National Academy Associates and former member of the Leadership Command College Alumni Association and the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (IABPA). Mitchell received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Texas State University.</p> <p><strong>Jeffery “JD” Robertson</strong> of Wimberley is a consultant with JD Robertson Consulting. He is a retired major with the Texas Rangers, with over 27 years of service to the Texas Department of Public Safety as a former commander of the Texas Rangers Special Operations Group. Previously, he served as the Ombudsman for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. He is a former member of the FBI National Academy Associates, National Tactical Officers Association, and the IABPA. Robertson received an Associate of Applied Science from the Community College of the Air Force, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Science in Applied Criminology from Texas A&M University-Commerce.</p> <p><strong>David Schwartz</strong> of Bellaire is a retired pharmacist. He is a member of the Houston Area Pharmacy Association, Houston Promotional Products Association, Harris County District Attorney's Office Victim Advisory Panel, and Crime Stoppers of Houston. Schwartz received a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from UT Austin.</p>