Our Team - TAPS | Teen And Police Service Academy

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.

Co-Founder

Dr. Everette Penn

Director of Programming

Matthew J. Wilmaning

Program Manager

Alondra Ortiz

Communications Manager

Tiffany Malone

Lead Education Specialist

Kaela Talplacido

Education Specialist

Sarah Gilmore

Education Specialist

Chelsa Foley

Education Specialist

Morganne Mukes

Researcher

Dr. Chenelle Jones

Resource Specialist

Mrs. Paula Ortega

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

Director of School Safety & Lead Peace Officer

Officer Boris S. Caldwell

Peace Officer

Officer Ernest Walker

Peace Officer

Officer Charles Webb

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.

TAPS Youth Ambassador

Aaron Garcia

TAPS Ambassador

Marcel Butler

TAPS Youth Ambassador

Renee Ekhator

TAPS Youth Ambassador

Cameron Walker

TAPS Youth Ambassador

David Vasquez

TAPS Youth Ambassador

Sir Huff

TAPS Youth Ambassador

Jeyda Nero

TAPS Youth Ambassador

Mariam Chaha

TAPS Academy Board Members

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.

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.

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.

Tracy Penn

TAPS Academy Board Member

Tracy Penn is an experienced energy lawyer in Houston with over 17 years of delivering strategic, risk-balanced, and pragmatic legal advice to help drive sound and prudent business decisions. Before serving on the TAPS Board, Ms. Penn served on the boards of the Emergency Aid Coalition and KSBJ Radio.

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.

Carmen Laffey-Bond

TAPS Academy Board Member

Served as a Harris County Adult Probation Officer (1986-1990) before transitioning to a misdemeanor criminal court until 1998. Advanced to a United States Pretrial Services Officer for the Southern District of Texas-Houston Division (1998-2005). Earned a Master’s degree under Dr. Everette Penn at the University of Clear Lake in 2004. Founded and operated a Mitigation, Investigation, and Sentencing company until retirement in 2021. Currently enjoys global travel by boat and plane with a spouse.