AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed James Castro, Stephanie Moreno, and Allison Palmer and reappointed Pama Hencerling and Jimmy Smith to the Texas Juvenile Justice Board for terms set to expire February 1, 2023. The Board is charged to develop and implement rules to govern the department, executive director, and staff and to establish the mission and set goals for the department to emphasize keeping youth in home communities while balancing rehabilitative needs with public safety.
James Castro of Bergheim is the president and CEO of SAMSAT – San Antonio Museum of Science & Technology and former CEO of St. Peter – St. Joseph Children’s Home. He is licensed as a Professional Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist and a Professional Counselor Supervisor. He currently serves on the Task Force on Improving Outcomes for Juveniles Adjudicated
of Sexual Offenses. He has supported many organizations including, the Texas Alliance of Child Family Services, Knights of Columbus and Boy Scouts of America. Castro received a Bachelor of Science from Franciscan University and a Master of Arts from St. Mary’s University.
Stephanie Moreno of Beeville is the county judge of Bee County. She is a vice president of the Coastal Bend Housing Finance Corp and a member of both the Coastal Bend Council of Governments and the State Bar of Texas. Moreno received a Bachelor of Arts from Texas State University and a Juris Doctor from Western New England School of Law.
Allison Palmer of San Angelo is the district attorney for the 51st Judicial District of Texas. She currently serves on the Task Force on Improving Outcomes for Juveniles Adjudicated of Sexual Offenses and is a member of the National District Attorneys’ Association, Texas District and County Attorneys’ Association and the State Bar of Texas. Palmer received a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas and a Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s School of Law.
Pama Hencerling of Victoria is the chief juvenile probation officer of Victoria and Goliad Counties. She is past president of the Texas Institute on Children and Youth and a member of the Central Texas Chiefs Association, Texas Probation Association and the Juvenile Justice Associate of Texas. Hencerling received a Bachelor of Science from Sam Houston State University.
Jimmy Smith of Midland is a commercial realtor and former county commissioner. He chaired the Texas Juvenile Justice Board Trust Committee, was the county representative to the Midland Teen Court, and is currently a reserve deputy for the Midland County Sheriff’s Department. Smith was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps.
James Castro of Bergheim is the president and CEO of SAMSAT – San Antonio Museum of Science & Technology and former CEO of St. Peter – St. Joseph Children’s Home. He is licensed as a Professional Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist and a Professional Counselor Supervisor. He currently serves on the Task Force on Improving Outcomes for Juveniles Adjudicated
of Sexual Offenses. He has supported many organizations including, the Texas Alliance of Child Family Services, Knights of Columbus and Boy Scouts of America. Castro received a Bachelor of Science from Franciscan University and a Master of Arts from St. Mary’s University.
Stephanie Moreno of Beeville is the county judge of Bee County. She is a vice president of the Coastal Bend Housing Finance Corp and a member of both the Coastal Bend Council of Governments and the State Bar of Texas. Moreno received a Bachelor of Arts from Texas State University and a Juris Doctor from Western New England School of Law.
Allison Palmer of San Angelo is the district attorney for the 51st Judicial District of Texas. She currently serves on the Task Force on Improving Outcomes for Juveniles Adjudicated of Sexual Offenses and is a member of the National District Attorneys’ Association, Texas District and County Attorneys’ Association and the State Bar of Texas. Palmer received a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas and a Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s School of Law.
Pama Hencerling of Victoria is the chief juvenile probation officer of Victoria and Goliad Counties. She is past president of the Texas Institute on Children and Youth and a member of the Central Texas Chiefs Association, Texas Probation Association and the Juvenile Justice Associate of Texas. Hencerling received a Bachelor of Science from Sam Houston State University.
Jimmy Smith of Midland is a commercial realtor and former county commissioner. He chaired the Texas Juvenile Justice Board Trust Committee, was the county representative to the Midland Teen Court, and is currently a reserve deputy for the Midland County Sheriff’s Department. Smith was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps.