Leadership – NALA

At NALA, our staff and board members each play a vital role in keeping our organization running smoothly. From representing the interests of the paralegal profession to delivering value and opportunities for our members and affiliates, our team carries NALA to the highest standard.

Board of Directors

Debra L. Overstreet, ACP

President

Porter, Oklahoma

president@nala.org

Cheryl J. Nodarse, ACP

Vice President

Saint Johns, Michigan

vicepresident@nala.org

Peonca S. Grier, CP

Secretary

Orlando, Florida

secretary@nala.org

Debby J. Sawyer, ACP

Treasurer

Nashville, Tennessee

treasurer@nala.org

Bridget M. Stuhr, ACP

Affiliated Associations Director

Wahoo, Nebraska

bstuhr@nala.org

Dana G. Welcker, ACP

Area 1 Director

Fleming Island, Florida

dwelcker@nala.org

Angela A. Oberle, ACP

Area 2 Director

Pawnee Rock, Kansas

aoberle@nala.org

Vicki L. Kasper, ACP

Area 3 Director

Midvale, Utah

vkasper@nala.org

Richard Hahn, ACP

At Large Director

Leesburg, Virginia

rhahn@nala.org

Cassie D. Snyder, ACP

At Large Director

Ocoee, Florida

csnyder@nala.org

Deana M. Waters, ACP

Continuing Education Council (CEC) Chair

Fairbanks, Alaska

dwaters@nala.org

Kelly S. Elder, ACP

Professional Development Committee (PDC) Chair

Omaha, Nebraska

kelder@nala.org

Lisa M. Stone, ACP*

Certifying Board Chair

Tulsa, Oklahoma

lstone@nala.org

Vanessa Finley, MBA, CAE*

CEO

Tulsa, Oklahoma

vfinley@nala.org

*indicates non-voting member

Board and Committees

Certifying Board

Certifying Board Mission Statement

The NALA Certifying Board is committed to setting, improving, and evolving the professional certification standards by which paralegals demonstrate exceptional knowledge, skills, and integrity.

Vision Statement

The premier national certification credential for paralegals.

The NALA Certifying Board for Paralegals is responsible for the content, standards, and administration of the CP Certified Paralegal® Program. It is composed of paralegals who have received an Advanced Paralegal Certification designation, attorneys, and paralegal educators.

In the technical areas of statistical analyses, examination construction, reliability, and validity tests, the Board contracts with a professional consulting firm offering expertise in these areas as well as in occupational research. Technical and content analyses of the Certified Paralegal Examination are conducted on an ongoing basis to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the examination with job analysis studies conducted appropriately every six years.

Members: Kimberly A.S. Brown, ACP (Past Chair); Cathy L. Davis, ACP; Jennifer Devine, ACP; Tammy Manning Dickerson, CP; Torii Ransome Freeman, JD (Public Member); Donna W. Gilliland, ACP; Kye W. Haymore, JD; Christine K. Lillo, ACP; Tracie L. Livesay, ACP; Shannon Moran Simler, JD; Carl Morrison, ACP; Tom Pokladowski, JD; Lisa M. Stone, ACP (Chair)

Continuing Education Council (CEC)

Plan conference education sessions
Develop, coordinate, and facilitate continuing education programs and certification review courses
Produce Facts & Findings

Members: Lucinda L. Calhoun; Jennifer R. Finch, ACP; Sonya W. Graves, ACP; Sheila A. Grela, ACP; Jeanie C. Johnson, ACP; Eva M. Merrell, ACP; Korinne R. Morris, ACP; Jennifer F. Salisbury, CP; Desire D. Smith, CP; Deana M. Waters, ACP (Chair)

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee (DEI)

Further the goals of the Corporation to encourage, support, and maintain high standards in diversity, equity, and inclusion
Monitor diversity, equity, and inclusion trends and issues
Work to address diversity, equity, and inclusion to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion to foster meaningful, open, and constructive dialog throughout the Corporation to celebrate diversity of its members and leaders
Work within the Corporation to celebrate the diversity of its members and leaders
Strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives throughout the Corporation

Members: Kristine M. Custodio Suero, ACP (Chair); Sarah Duggan, CP; Edward Diaz, ACP

Ethics Committee

This committee shall report any violations of the Code of Ethics adopted by the Corporation to the directors for appropriate action.

Members: Adrienne D. Berry, ACP (Chair)

Professional Development Committee (PDC)

Maintain Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility
Maintain Model Standards and Guidelines for Utilization of Paralegals
Provide articles for Facts & Findings
Oversee the research and publishing of the National Utilization and Compensation Survey
Keep up to date on activities affecting the paralegal profession
Oversee the development of professional development courses

Members: Adrienne D. Berry, ACP (Ethics Chair); Kelly S. Elder, ACP (Chair); Kaila L. Glaros, ACP; Melissa Klimpel, ACP (Past Chair); Dawnne L. Linenbrink, ACP, Airolyn T. Loggins, ACP; Laura B. Reaves, CP; Caroline C. Wilkerson, ACP

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