The TAPS Academy Team

Our team puts theory into practice while balancing experience with the voice of youth in order to bring 21st Century Policing practices to communities.

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Co-Founder

Dr. Everette Penn

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Director of Programming

Matthew J. Wilmaning

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Program Manager

Alondra Ortiz

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Communications Manager

Tiffany Malone

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Director of Safe Schools and Communities for Everyone

Dr. Stephen Cherry

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Assistant Program Manager & Educational Specialist

Zuhel Abduljaber

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Lead Education Specialist

Kaela Talplacido

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Education Specialist

Sarah Gilmore

TAPS Academy Officers

Our TAPS Academy Officers are fully committed to both learning and establishing meaningful connections with youth and community. At our home-base Houston, our TAPS Staff Officers lead, but it's essential to recognize that over 100 trained officers are spread across the country, serving through the community the TAPS Academy mission

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Director of School Safety & Lead Peace Officer

Officer Boris S. Caldwell

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Peace Officer

Officer Ernest Walker

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Peace Officer

Officer Charles Webb

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Peace Officer

Commander Rose Terry

TAPS Academy Ambassadors

Our esteemed TAPS Academy Ambassadors, are TAPS Alumni who exemplify leadership, service learning, and dedicated support to fulfill TAPS Academy's evolving needs.

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TAPS Youth Ambassador

Aaron Garcia

TAPS Academy Ambassador

TAPS Ambassador

Marcel Butler

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TAPS Youth Ambassador

Renee Ekhator

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TAPS Youth Ambassador

Cameron Walker

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TAPS Youth Ambassador

David Vasquez

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TAPS Youth Ambassador

Sir Huff

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TAPS Youth Ambassador

Jeyda Nero

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TAPS Youth Ambassador

Mariam Chaha

TAPS Academy Board Members

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Former HPD Chief Charles McClelland

TAPS Academy Board Member

Mr. Charles A. McClelland Jr., rose through the ranks from the position of officer to the Chief of the Houston Police Department, the fifth largest police force in the nation. His management experience touched virtually every aspect of law enforcement throughout his career.
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Judge Katherine Thomas

TAPS Academy Board Member

Judge Katherine Thomas serves as the presiding Judge of the 184th Criminal District Court. Her passion lies in making a difference in her community through exemplary leadership and dedicated service.
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Dr. Everette Penn

TAPS Academy Board Member

Dr. Penn is Co-founder and currently serves as Executive Director of TAPS Academy. A Professor of Criminology at the University of Houston- Clear Lake, researcher of over 75 publications and criminal justice consultant to governmental and nonprofit agencies, you can find him on two Discovery Channel shows, Caught! and A Killer's Mistake.

Judge Robin Brown

TAPS Academy Board Member

Judge Brown is a 40-plus-year veteran in criminal justice, having served as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, and 24 years as an elected Judge of a Harris County Criminal Court. In retirement, she still serves as a substitute judge. She is passionate about treatment courts and helped establish the local Sober Court program for high-risk DWI repeat offenders. Helping youth find skills through TAPS to ensure success is right down her alley.

Deacon Joseph John Millhouse

TAPS Academy Board Member

Joe, a longtime Houston resident, served with dedication in Texas law enforcement for over three decades. After retiring, he transitioned to a new calling as a Permanent Deacon at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston, Texas, following six years of theological formation.
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Carmen Laffey-Bond

TAPS Academy Board Member

Carmen Laffey-Bond, retired from a criminal justice career, now indulges her passion for travel.