About Us

Our Mission

TJDA is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of Texas children by providing professional development in the juvenile justice field, and having a voice in the revision of state standards and practices.

Our Objectives

Promote

Promote the concept of professional juvenile detention services at the State and local levels.

Provide

Provide a forum for discussion of statewide juvenile detention issues.

Disseminate

Disseminate to the field pending and passed legislation relative to juvenile detention services.

Strengthen

Strengthen the professional status of juvenile justice professionals by providing training and education.

Assist

Assist in the revision, development and implementation of juvenile justice standards.

Serve

Serve as a liaison with other associations, professional groups and state legislative committees in the field of juvenile justice.

We Make a Difference

Our Board

Chet Thomas, President

Deputy Director, Smith County

Chet Thomas began his career in law enforcement in 1984 where he worked as a County Jailer, Dispatcher, then Deputy Sheriff. Chet joined the University of Texas at Tyler Police Department in 1989 and received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1993. He then went to work for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Office of the Inspector General as an Investigator until 2003 investigating internal corruption, civil rights violations and drug trafficking in the Texas Prison System. In addition, Chet was a training officer for the OIG and guest speaker for many civic groups. In 2003 he began teaching concurrent enrollment courses through Tyler Junior College and joined the Smith County District Attorney’s Office. In 2005, Chet began his career in Juvenile Justice with Smith County Juvenile Services as the JJAEP Administrator then became the Facility Administrator/Deputy Director. Chet is a recent graduate and alumni of Leadership Tyler which connects leaders together to serve in various ways to benefit the community. He is currently the Deputy Director of Detention of the Smith County Pre-Adjudication facility. He is married with three daughters and teaches an adult Christian education class at his church.

Laura L. Torres, Treasurer

Quality Assurance, Cameron County

Laura L. Torres began her career with the Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department in 2002 as a Community Service Restitution Caseworker. After graduating from the University of Texas at Brownsville, with a Bachelors Degree in Correctional Administration, she was promoted to the position of Weed & Seed Probation Officer for the southern area of Brownsville. In 2005, Laura transferred to the northern Cameron County as a Field Services Probation Officer. In 2006, Laura was prepared to take on a new challenge, and accepted the position of Case Manager at the Amador R. Rodriguez Juvenile Boot Camp and Educational Center. Shortly thereafter, Laura was promoted as the Training Coordinator for the Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department. She was responsible for Juvenile Probation and Detention Officer training, certification and recertification. In June of 2010, she was promoted to Operations Manager of the Darrell B. Hester Juvenile Detention Center and then as the Captain of the Amador R. Rodriguez Juvenile Boot Camp and Educational Center. She has also served in an administrative role over probation and as the Facility Administrator of the L.I.F.E. (Ladies Inspired For Excellence) Residential Treatment Center and B.R.A.V.E (Building Responsible Adults with Values and Education) Residential Treatment Center. She currently serves as the Quality Assurance and Control Administrator. She is married to Joe Torres, they are the proud parents of Joey, Joshua and Joseph.

Jared Beukelman, Member

Deputy Director, Randall County

Carlos Zuniga, Member

Deputy Director, Bexar County

Carlos Zuniga graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1995 with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science. Shortly after graduation, Carlos began working for the Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department as a Detention Officer. In his many years of service with Bexar County he has been a Detention Shift Supervisor, Unit Supervisor, Assistant Facility Administrator and Facility Administrator. In 2015, Carlos was named the Deputy Chief Probation Officer of institutions Services. Carlos holds two Masters Degrees in Management and the Administration of Justice and Security from the University of Phoenix. He is an adjunct faculty of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Security at Texas A&M San Antonio, San Antonio College and the University of Phoenix. Carlos is also a member of Georgetown University’s Center for Juvenile Justice Reform Fellows Network.

Christopher Coffey, Member

Superintendent, Brazos County

Christopher Coffey’s background demonstrates his commitment to youth and community for more than 22 years with the Brazos County Juvenile Department and the Dallas County Juvenile Department. Mr. Coffey serves as the Superintendent at the Brazos County Juvenile Department with responsibility for the Detention Center and the overall operations of that department on a daily basis. Mr. Coffey served as the Assistant Superintendent at the Dallas County Juvenile Post Programs with responsibility for the Residential Drug Treatment Program which included but was not limited to: daily drug treatment, individual and family counseling on a weekly basis, and monthly individual family counseling. As well, he oversaw the Short Term Adolescent Residential Treatment Program ( START Program) for the Dallas County Juvenile Department which included working with youth, developing new ways of thinking, social skills, and problem solving skills. Prior to working in the RDT Program and Start Program, Mr. Coffey worked as the Assistant Superintendent in the Detention Center with Dallas County and the Medlock Facility which provides treatment for sex offenders detained with the Dallas County Juvenile Department. Coffey has received numerous awards for his Institutional Service involvement while working for Dallas County Juvenile Department which include: Employee of the Year (2010), and Institutional Service Employee of the Year (2004). Christopher Coffey is a graduate of Paul Quinn College and Cisco Jr. College, father of four and has been married to his wife for 21 years. He is a member of Carver Heights Baptist Church.

Erik Vaca, Member

Facility Administrator, Gregg County

Erik Vaca began his career with the Gregg County Juvenile Probation Department in 2006 as a Juvenile Detention Officer. After graduating from the University of Texas at Tyler in 2007, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, he was promoted to the position of Juvenile Probation Officer. In 2015, he was promoted to Facility Administrator for the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center. Erik is also responsible for the department’s Juvenile Probation and Supervision Officer training. He is married and has two sons.

Kenny Johnson, Member

Director of Detention Services, Bend County Juvenile Detention Center

Kenny Johnson graduated from Midwestern State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Public Administration. After graduation, Kenny went to work as an Adult Probation Officer for the 97^th Judicial District. After leaving the 97^th Judicial District, he went to work for Big Brothers & Sisters of Wichita County as a Case Manager and then Director. In 1994, Kenny began his juvenile justice career with the Wichita County Juvenile Probation Department. While at Wichita County, he served as an Intake Officer, Field Officer, and Title IV-E Coordinator before becoming the Administrator over the Juvenile Justice Altercation Education Program and the Juvenile Leadership Academy. Kenny and his family relocated the Houston area in 2004. Kenny went to work for the Fort Bend County Juvenile Probation Department in 2005. Since 2005, Kenny has held positions of Intake Officer, Court Supervisor, and Compliance/Training Supervisor. In 2016, Kenny became the Director of Detention Services for the Fort Bend County Juvenile Detention Center. Kenny is married to Sonya Kapp-Johnson and they have two adult sons, Zachary and Garrett.

Lynette Acuna, Member

Facility Administrator, Victoria County Juvenile Detention

Lynette is a graduate of the University of Houston- Victoria with a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice. She began her juvenile justice career in 1995, as a JCO with the Texas Youth Commission, eventually transitioning as a Case manager to San Saba State School. An 400 bed male TYC facility. During her time at San Saba State School she assisted in implementing a Tattoo Removal program for incarcerated juveniles, served on the safety review committee and was the Lead Facilitator for numerous Victim Impact Panels. In 2001 Lynette moved back to her home town of Victoria, Texas, and begin her career with Victoria County Juvenile Justice Center. She has held two positions with Victoria County Juvenile, first as the Training Coordinator, and currently as the Facility Administrator. In 2022, JJAT awarded Lynette the Outstanding Achievement in the Corrections and Residential field for her service and dedication to the juvenile justice field. She has served on several TJJD committees and continues to be passionate about her role in the juvenile justice field.

Cody Kavanaugh, Member

Facility Administrator, Bexar County

Cody Kavanaugh began his career as a Juvenile Detention Officer on third shift in October of 2000. Shortly after that he transferred to the Krier Residential Treatment Center where he worked as a Residential Treatment Officer for several years. In August of 2004 Cody was promoted to Second Shift Assistant Supervisor at the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center. Since 2005 Cody has held the positions of Second Shift Supervisor, Swing shift Supervisor, and Transportation Unit Supervisor. Since January of 2016 Cody has held the position of Facility Administrator of the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center.

Albert Aguirre, Member

Facility Administrator, Ector County

Albert Aguirre graduated from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in 2010, with a Bachelors Degree in Criminology. He began his career with the Ector County Juvenile Probation Department in October of 2011 as a Juvenile Probation Officer. Albert was a Program Officer and worked with the residents in the Post-Adjudication Program. In August of 2014, Albert was promoted to Detention Supervisor and in January of 2020, he was promoted to the Facility Administrator of the Ector County Youth Center. Albert also oversees the Training Department and is the Handle with Care Instructor for the ECJPD. He is married and is the father of two children.