Conference Staff

Executive Staff

Director and Chief Resource Prosecutor Kimberly Spahos

[email protected]

Serving the Conference of District Attorneys since 2003; Former Assistant District Attorney in Halifax County, North Carolina
The Executive Director of the Conference is directly responsible to the 42 elected District Attorneys for the development of programs, materials, and consensus building. They serve as a liaison to State and other government agencies, local, state, and national professional associations, and other entities that impact the criminal justice community. Other responsibilities include oversight of all Conference activities, projects, and programs. They are responsible for addressing the training needs of prosecutors, administrative professionals, law enforcement, and other allied professionals. Their responsibilities include the identification of training topics, curriculum development, and implementation. They provide technical and research assistance to prosecutors and law enforcement and assists the Resource Prosecutors in program development. They also handle conflict and other special prosecution cases and oversees all cases handled by the Conference of District Attorneys.

Deputy Director Karen Cooper

[email protected]

This position is responsible for creating policies and procedures in relation to the administrative function of the Conference of District Attorneys to include office, budget, and training administration. They are responsible for grant procurement, budget and project management, and identification. Furthermore, they assist the Director of the Conference of District Attorneys by providing requested research regarding fiscal information related to proposed legislation and media inquiries.

General Counsel, Legislative Liaison and Resource Prosecutor Chuck Spahos

[email protected]

Serving the Conference of District Attorneys since 2018; Former prosecutor and Solicitor General in Henry County, Georgia
The General Counsel provides research, advice, and project management at the Executive Committee’s direction or the District Attorney’s request.  As Legislative Liaison, they represent the interests of the District Attorneys at the General Assembly and other related forums. They continue to serve as a resource prosecutor providing technical assistance and prosecution of conflict cases or other special prosecutions.

Director of Training and Resource Prosecutor Jonathan Holbrook

[email protected]

The Director of Training is responsible for addressing the training needs of prosecutors, administrative professionals, and law enforcement. The Director identifies suitable topics, develops the curriculum, and implements programs to address a broad range of training needs. The Director also prosecutes cases on behalf of the Conference, provides consultation and advice to prosecutors and law enforcement officers, assists other Resource Prosecutors with program development, and supports the Executive Director with research, projects, and presentations.

Executive Assistant Jennifer Councilman

[email protected]

The Executive Assistant to the Conference Director provides senior level support, manages daily Director’s office operations, and assists in the planning of all trainings created and implemented by the Director. This position also provides assistance to the conference Legislative Liaison as needed.

Communications Team

The Communications team is responsible for planning, designing and managing communications processes and projects to effectively execute the current communications strategies and overall mission of the Conference.

Name	Title	Email Address
Chad Dixon	Communication and Information Specialist	[email protected]
Brianna Sims	Communication Specialist	[email protected]

Resource Prosecutors

Resource Prosecutors assist District Attorneys and their teams in the evaluation, charging, prosecution, and appeal of cases. They develop curricula, training programs, legal memoranda, articles, manuals, other publications, and handle special prosecution cases in their subject matter area of expertise. They also monitor and maintain many online forums for prosecutors, law enforcement, and other allied professionals on the topics of child abuse, highway safety, and juvenile court. 

Name	Title	Email Address
Amber Lueken Barwick	Domestic and Sexual Violence Resource Prosecutor	[email protected]
Whitney Belich	Child Abuse Resource Prosecutor	[email protected]
Lisa Coltrain	Homicide and Arson Resource Prosecutor	[email protected]
Derek Murray	Domestic and Sexual Violence Resource Prosecutor	[email protected]
Donna Rainwater	Special Victims Resource Prosecutor	[email protected]
Jacob “Kyle” Smith	Juvenile Resource Prosecutor	[email protected]

Financial Crimes Team

The Financial Crime team addresses financial crimes and elder exploitation and abuse cases.

Name	Title	Email Address
Jordan Ford	Chief Financial Crimes Resource Prosecutor	[email protected]
Justin Davis	Financial Crimes Resource Prosecutor	[email protected]
Janelle Cline	Financial Crimes Resource Prosecutor	[email protected]
Tracy Cook	Financial Crimes Legal Assistant	[email protected]
Lakisha Wardrick	Financial Crimes Legal Assistant	[email protected]

Traffic Safety Team

The Traffic Safety team addresses traffic safety issues including impaired driving and vehicular homicide.

Name	Title	Email Address
Sarah Garner	Chief Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor	[email protected]
Ike Avery	Traffic Safety Czar	[email protected]
Jennifer Dumont	Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor	[email protected]
Stephen McLaughlin	Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor	[email protected]
Morgan Bridgers	Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor	[email protected]
Timothy Tomczak	Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor	[email protected]
Sara Phillips	Traffic Safety Program Coordinator	[email protected]

Victim Services

The Victim Services team provides support to our Resource Prosecutors and victims of crime in conflict and special prosecution cases.

Name	Title	Email Address
Megan Lively	Statewide Victim Services Program Coordinator	[email protected]
Brenda Matthews	Legal Assistant	[email protected]

Program Coordinators

Program Coordinators provide administrative support and facilitate meetings and training programs.

Name	Title	Email Address
Mary Hill	Program Coordinator	[email protected]
Stephanie Holt	Program Coordinator	[email protected]