Governor Sean Parnell yesterday announced recent appointments to the Alaska Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee.

Alaska Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee

Governor Parnell appointed Peggy Brown, Mabil Duir, Robert Froehle, Billy Houser, Austin Stevenson, and Bernina Venua to the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, and he also reappointed Courtney Enright and Tina Woods. The committee assists in strengthening and improving the social services and juvenile justice systems at all levels.

Brown, of Juneau, is the executive director of the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, where she has served in a variety of roles since 1996. Before joining the network, she worked as a research associate and an adjunct professor. She currently serves as a member of the advisory board for the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and on the program committee for the National Network to End Domestic Violence. Brown holds a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Iowa. She is appointed to a seat reserved for a member of the public.

Duir, of Anchorage, is a student at the University of Alaska Anchorage. In addition to serving as a USUAA Senator on campus, he serves as the president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and president of the African American Caucus. Duir also volunteers as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Special Olympics, and he is engaged in Air Force ROTC. Duir is appointed to a seat reserved for a juvenile under the age of 24.

Froehle, of Nome, retired after a long career with the Alaska Division of Juvenile Justice that included work as the superintendent of the Nome Youth Facility and an associate superintendent with the McLaughlin Youth Center. He has been an active member of the community for decades, and was the first recipient of the Bob Froehle Volunteer of the Year Award. He has been a volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club of Southcentral Alaska, a hockey coach, soccer coach, and currently serves as a deacon in the Catholic Church. Froehle holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Minnesota Duluth. He is appointed to a seat reserved for a member of the public.

Houser, of Chugiak, is a probation supervisor and program manager with the Alaska Department of Corrections. He retired from the U.S. Army as a warrant officer after 20 years of service with the military police. Houser holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and criminal justice from the University of the State of New York and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He is appointed to a seat reserved for a member of the public.

Stevenson, of Anchorage, is currently the talented and gifted coordinator for the Mat-Su Borough School District. Previously, he worked as an education specialist with the Southeast Regional Resource Center, in addition to prior service as an assistant curriculum director and social studies teacher. Active in the community, Stevenson volunteers with Young Life as a team leader and area director. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Houghton College, a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Scranton, and is working toward a doctorate at the Grand Canyon University. Stevenson is appointed to an at-large seat.

Venua was raised in Dillingham, and after studying abroad and earning a bachelor’s degree in international studies from American University and pursuing other leadership opportunities in Washington D.C., she returned to Dillingham in order to serve her community and work with youth. She is the prevention coordinator for Safe and Fear Free Environment, a domestic violence and sexual assault shelter for the Bristol Bay region. She also serves as a member of the Dillingham City School Board. Previously, she has worked as an intern with Ocean Beauty Seafoods. Venua is appointed to an at-large seat.

Enright, of Ketchikan, is working toward a degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s in business administration at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). Active in her community, she is a member of the Aurora Borealis Rotaract Club, UAF Honors College, Society of Petroleum Engineering, and the Alaska Space Grant Program. She is appointed as a member under 24 years of age.

Woods, of Sitka, is pursuing a Clinical-Community Psychology Ph.D. with a rural indigenous emphasis at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). She is currently the health services regional administrator with Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association Inc. and has served in numerous capacities for mental health and substance abuse treatment programs for community nonprofits and Alaska Native organizations. She also holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in clinical psychology from UAA, where she continues to advocate for Alaska Native student success within the field of mental and behavioral health. She is reappointed to a seat reserved for a member of the public.