July 16th NACM Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast Episode
In previous podcasts, we have discussed the unprecedented hiring crunch facing our country. Intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been characterized by a significant mismatch between the supply of and demand for young talent.
Despite robust economic recovery efforts, employers in general and courts in particular are struggling to fill empty desks. All the while, jobseekers are running up against barriers that make traditional careers less attractive. Throughout this challenge, a question badgers many employers: What do young job applicants want? Panelists on previous episodes have suggested a lack of flexible scheduling, hybrid work options, and career advancement opportunities as reasons job seekers go elsewhere. Are these the factors now driving job candidates or does it just come down to money?
This month we are going to take a deeper dive into how courts are scrambling to recruit and retain skilled employees. Questions we will explore include:
- What do job candidates want out of a position with the courts?
- Has criticism of the courts affected recruiting?
- What can courts do to improve career development for young employees?
- Do courts promote skills in areas other than administration? Should we?
Today’s Panel
Richard Abbott, Program Director for Juvenile & Family Services at the Administrative Office of the Courts in Annapolis, Maryland
Keenon Simmons, Chief Probation Officer for the Superior Court in Atlantic and Cape May Counties, New Jersey
Patricia Norwood-Foden, District Court Administrator for the 15th Judicial District in Chester County, Pennsylvania,
Jamie Velazquez, Organizational Development Analyst for the Superior Court in Orange County, California
Click here to listen to the podcast.
Leave a question or comment about the episode at clapodcast@nacmnet.org.
Show Notes
Additional Resources
Time Marker Sheet
2024 Court Futures Survey Link and QR Code
Richard Abbott
Richard Abbott is the Director of Juvenile and Family Services for the Maryland Judiciary, Administrative Office of the Courts. He previously served as Deputy Court Administrator, Family Law Administrator and DCM Coordinator for the Circuit Court of Baltimore County from 1995-2018. Before coming to Maryland, Richard was the District Court Administrator for the 56th Judicial District, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, from 1992 to 1995. Richard’s other professional work experiences include the following: Law Clerk for Riley and DeFalice, P.C. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Legislative Intern and Office Assistant for United States Senator H. John Heinz; and Budget Analyst for the Alexandria Community Mental Health Center in Alexandria, Virginia.
Richard obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, a Master of Public Administration, with a Certificate in Personnel and Labor Relations, from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Scranton.
Patricia Norwood-Foden
Patricia Norwood-Foden has been the District Court Administrator for the 15th Judicial District of Pennsylvania, hester County, since 2009. Prior to her current position, she was the Minor Judiciary Administrator and has worked in the judiciary system since 1991. Ms. Norwood-Foden is a graduate of East Stroudsburg University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, earned a paralegal certification from Penn State University and successfully completed the judicial administration certification program offered by Michigan State University.
She is currently pursuing her Master of Legal Studies degree from West Virginia University. She is an active member of the Pennsylvania Association for Court Management (PACM) and served as President in 2009. She currently serves as Secretary for the Mid-Atlantic Association of Court Management (MAACM) and Co-chairs the Professional Development Committee.
Keenon Simmons
Kennon Simmons, Probation Division Manager in Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage, has worked in the Judiciary since 2005, starting as a probation officer in the family division in the Union Vicinage before transferring to adult supervision in the Burlington Vicinage. He was promoted to court services supervisor 2 in the child support enforcement unit in 2013 and to court services supervisor 4 in the Intensive Supervision Program in 2018.
He was named assistant probation division manager in April 2021.
Keenon graduated from Monmouth University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice and earned a Master of Science degree in administration, with a concentration in human resource management, from Central Michigan University.
Jamie Velazquez
Jamie Velazquez is an Organizational Development Analyst at the Superior Court of California, County of Orange. With over 15 years of adult education, training, and leadership development experience in higher education and in the non-profit sectors, she has led the development and implementation of numerous impactful programs, as well as engaging collegiate curriculums. A master’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University, a Master of Education degree from the University of Southern California, and a Ph.D. in Education, with an emphasis in Leadership Studies, from Chapman University led to a solid trauma-informed and inclusive leadership education. Jamie’s education was further enhanced through her experience working as the Director of Staff Development at a child welfare and behavioral health agency in Southern California, serving as Adjunct Faculty (psychology) at Santa Ana College, and countless hours serving in various volunteer roles. Jamie has presented across the country at various conferences, served as a keynote speaker, and facilitated numerous workshops and trainings for a variety of organizations on leadership, trauma, resilience, and diversity equity and inclusion. She is also happily married to a Marine Veteran and the proud parent to two creative, intelligent, and active young men.
