Communities for Restorative Justice is guided by a group of 13 individuals who comprise its board. The strength of the group lies in its breadth of experience combined with a shared, unwavering passion for restorative justice. The group meets throughout the year to focus on policy, fiscal issues, growth, and development.
Jeff Campbell, Vice President, Development Chair
Jeff has been a C4RJ volunteer since its inception and is a former business operations manager at Compaq Computer. He is a corporator of Emerson Hospital and coaches Concord Youth Soccer teams. Formerly, he was treasurer of the Emerson Umbrella Center for the Arts. Jeff brings experience in fundraising and board development from these and other community nonprofit groups.
Haechen Cho, Youth Representative
Cho is a 14-year-old freshman at Acton-Boxborough High School. She first learned of C4RJ at a Volunteer Fair hosted at ABRHS and has demonstrated leadership among her peers by starting a club at ABRHS. She describes herself as a "book nerd", and has wide musical interests. Her pet peeve is bullying.
When asked about her interest in serving on the board she says, "I know I could make a difference as a volunteer. But being on the board means that I could have a greater impact on the program." She anticipates serving on the board through her senior year.
Sue Curtin, Clerk
Sue recently retired from 33 years of teaching. She has served on many Concord town boards and is an Emerson Hospital corporator. Sue has written monthly columns in the Concord Journal. Currently she teaches an online course to adult educators around the world for Harvard’s Graduate School of Education.
George Dallas, Member
George practiced real estate law for 40 years. Currently, he works in mediation. He has served on many boards of local organizations. He recently led a youth service trip to Belize.
Pete Funkhouser, Member, Governance Chair
Pete is president of CC Pools, Inc. He has 30 years experience as a business executive and is a former member of the Concord Finance Committee and Orchard House Board.
Sandra Henderson, Member
Sandra has experience in public accounting, banking and non-profit administration. She has volunteered in a variety of roles, most recently for the Concord Public Schools, Trinity Church, Emerson Umbrella, Emerson Hospital and Partners Hospice.
Barbara Howland, President
Barbara has worked at the Community Chest, Alliance for Teen Safety, and Carlisle Restorative Circle. She brings experience in nonprofit fundraising, public relations, and management/employee relations. Barbara is also a volunteer Case Coordinator at C4RJ.
Linda Minkoff, Member
Linda has been an Acton resident for 20 years. She is a practicing attorney specializing in divorce and custody cases, and previously spent almost 20 years as a senior attorney and bureau chief with the Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement Division. Linda has been a member of the boards of Congregation Beth Elohim in Acton, the Community Alliance for Youth (CAFY, Inc.), fundraising chair of the Project Wellness Committee at RJ Grey Junior High School in Acton, member of the Community Health Network Alliance (CHNA 15); and was a founding member of ABChy — ABC for Healthy Youth. She co-produced Red Flags and Resources, a resource book to educate and provide support and assistance for parents, kids, educators, and community leaders on the risky behaviors of youth.
Chief Donald Palma, Member, Police Council Chair
Chief Palma is a life long resident of Concord. He received his undergraduate degree for Northeastern University and graduate degree from Anna Maria College. Currently the Chief of Police in Groton, he began his career at the Littleton Police Department, rising to the rank of Sergeant. Transferring to Acton Police Department, he held a number of positions including Special Service Commander and Executive Officer as Lieutenant. Chief Palma sits on the board of directors at the Northeast Regional Police Institute in Reading and has been Chief in Groton for almost three years.
Elizabeth Railsback, Treasurer, Finance Chair
Beth is a certified public accountant with 30 years of tax and accounting experience. She has been the treasurer of C.C. Pools for the past eight years and has also served as treasurer on the Concord Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Brec Saalfield, Member
Brec, a retired family law attorney, had previously been a high school teacher, coach and principal. His career experience supports his interest in the restorative justice approach to crime. He has lived in Concord for 34 years and is involved with many local and regional boards.
Jim Saltonstall, Member
Jim retired in 2008 from Middlesex School, where he served for 40 years as a teacher (French and Economics), coach, dorm head and, most recently, business manager. As business manager, he was responsible for budgets and financial accountability, buildings and grounds, human resources and he worked on many special projects with the head of school and trustees. He serves on the Boards of Carleton Willard Village in Bedford, the New England Grenfell Association and Habitat for Humanity's Greater Lowell affiliate. He has served on Concord's Personnel Board and C-C Adult and Community Education Committee.
Debra Stark, Member
Debra is the owner of Debra’s Natural Gourmet, in West Concord, which opened in 1989. National television shows like “20/20” have featured Debra’s Natural Gourmet, and the store is rated one of the top 100 natural food stores in the country. Inc. magazine selected Debra’s Natural Gourmet as one of five home-town powerhouse businesses, and Debra has been the subject of articles in Investor’s Business Daily and Cooking Light. In addition, Debra founded Stark Sisters Granola, which is now made in Western Mass., and distributed by United Natural Foods. What is she most proud of? The sense of community one feels in the store, the fellowship and caring between customers and the terrific staff.
Chief Len Wetherbee (ret.), Program Advisor
Len retired in January 2010 from the Concord Police Department after 33 years of service, the last 17 as chief of police. At that time, he also retired from the board of C4RJ but continues to serve as an advisor. It was during Len's time as the department's prosecutor at the Concord District Court that he recognized that the current system was not addressing victim needs or the obligations that were created when an offense was committed. In 1997, Len met with two community members, Jean Bell and Joan Turner, to discuss the possible role of restorative justice in Concord. As a result of that meeting, the seeds were sown of the Concord Restorative Circle (later called "Communities for Restorative Justice"). Len was a founding member of the Domestic Violence Victim Assistance Program, was involved in the start of many community policing initiatives in Concord, and served at various levels on numerous boards and programs in Concord and the Metrowest region.
