Board of Directors Lou Freyer, M.Ed., Chairman of the Board of Directors Lou is retired after working 32 years as an Elementary School Counselor in the Central Bucks School District in Pennsylvania, and is also a Licensed Psychologist. 1996, he was trained in restorative justice by Ted Wachtel, founder of the International Institute of Restorative Practices. He has conducted numerous trainings on restorative justice in schools, with a special emphasis on elementary and middle schools, and has conducted family group conference circles with a wide range of school situations. |
Debra Williams, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
Debra D. Williams, MBA, Hilltop Learning and Resource Center Executive Director, completed her MBA in Business with a concentration in Management at The University of Phoenix in 2013. Debra is a certified Mediator and Restorative Justice practitioner, providing training and technical assistance in various high poverty,
high crime areas in Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina. Debra
is a restorative justice facilitator with the Virginia Center for Restorative Justice supporting referrals from Henrico county and Richmond city Circuit, General District, and Juvenile Courts in Virginia. She has successfully facilitated multiple adult and juvenile cases of violent and non-violent offenses, with an 85% success rate of non-repeat offenders. Debra is dedicated to justice reform and uses a multitude of methodologies and theories to improve, repair, and restore relationships while reintegrating individuals into their communities.
Erika Payne, M.B.A., Treasurer of the Board of Directors
She is employed with Senior Connections as the Senior Employment Program Coordinator. She helps those who are entering the work place with unique challenges. She has development experience and a heart for making a difference in her community.
Trish Bowes, Secretary of the Board Member 
Patricia (Trish) Bowes moved to Midlothian in 2010 from her hometown of Elkins, West Virginia, after retiring as a public-school teacher for over 30 years with an MA in Special Education/Gifted from WVU and five years as an adjunct college instructor.
She was also a part of the Russia-West Virginia foundation for many years and coordinated educational and cultural exchanges and workshops in WV, in addition to sharing educational methods and Conflict Resolution in Russia, Armenia, and India. She also gave workshops on Conflict Resolution for WV Governor’s Summer Academy and authored a CR program in two of her schools.
Trish volunteered for many years as a musician and assistant with the interdenominational Handicapped Encounter Christ retreats in three different states and assisted the disabled as a ski instructor for Challenged Athletes of West Virginia.
With a lifelong interest in the protection and rights of youth, Trish hopes to bring her accumulated skills and lifelong learning to the Richmond area public schools and community through VCRJ.
Trish is married to Edward Bowes and they have three daughters and one granddaughter between them. Trish and Ed enjoy playing and performing music together both in Virginia and in West Virginia.
Advisory Board
Dr. Daniel G. Bagby, has served as the Minister of Pastoral Care at River Road Church, Baptist since 2011. He and his wife Janet have been members of River Road since 1995.
At the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond he holds the title of Theodore F. Adams Emeritus Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling.
His education includes undergraduate work in psychology, religion and English; a master's degree in psychology; a M.Div.; and a Ph.D. in marriage & family counseling. Dan has pastored and been a chaplain for over 25 years.
Judith Tolleson Clarke, MA, is the Founder and Director Emeritus of Virginia Center for Restorative Justice. She earned an MA in Conflict Transformation with a concentration in Restorative Justice at Eastern Mennonite University and founded VCRJ in 2010. She created the Family Group Conference program and the How to Handle Conflict curriculum, which has been provided to thousands of youth and incarcerated people in Virginia.
Addison Jones, B.S.
In 1986, Addison Jones and his brother founded The Supply Room Company Inc (TSRC) in Ashland and he retired in 2016.
He graduated from the US Naval Academy an served 28 years on active duty and the reserves. He retired as a Captain.
He resides in Henrico and attends Christ Church in Short Pump and is on the Mission and Outreach committee.
Josh Bacon, Advisory 
Josh Bacon served as an administrator for over twenty years at James Madison University, recently retiring in 2020 as their Dean of Students. Josh also served as a faculty member at the university and co-directed the College Student Personnel Administration Masters program. Shortly after retiring, he graduated from the Central
Shenandoah Criminal Justice Training Academy and served as a Campus Safety Officer at Bridgewater College.
Currently, Josh Bacon works part-time as a mentor for students at Eastern Mennonite University. He is a trainer with the Center for Restorative Justice at the University of San Diego and additionally consults with colleges about implementing restorative justice practices.
Josh Bacon recently published a book: I Screwed Up! Now What? Seven Practices to Make Things Right and Conquer Adversity. Josh has a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership with a cognate in Law from Clemson University and a Master's in Education Administration from Salisbury University. Josh resides in Lacey Springs, Virginia, with his wife and three daughters.
About the CenterWe are a faith based non-profit organization dedicated to providing cooperative methods of resolving conflict. Our services include training and facilitation of restorative justice conferencing, restorative justice circles, restorative justice values-based programs, and introductory restorative justice training. Copyright © Virginia Center for Restorative Justice 2022 |
