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Our Board

  • Dr. Robert Paradise, Ph.D. — Chairman, 2012-02-21 – 2016-03-15, 2017-04-19 – present. We are pleased to announce that founding member Dr. Robert Paradise has once again agreed to serve as Chairman of Citizens for Criminal Justice Reform beginning on April 19, 2017. 

    During the fiscal year 2016–2017 the position of Chair was in the capable hands of Attorney Michael Sheehan who will now pick up the mantle of Vice-Chairman.  We thank Mike for his ongoing dedication and for providing his legal knowledge and expertise to everything we do.

    Dr. Paradise began his volunteer service as our first vice-chairman from January 2011 to February 21, 2012 alongside of Chris Dornin as founding chairman.  Paradise then served four years as chairman from February 2012 until March 2016 when he voluntarily stepped down as chair in order to take a much deserved break. He continued to serve as a board member. 

    The last twelve months has been anything but a respite or sabbatical.  In September of 2016, Dr. Paradise suffered the loss of his only child Elizabeth in a tragic car accident, and later in January he required the implantation of a pacemaker.  Elizabeth was 31 years old and the mother of his two precious grandchildren.  Along with his wife of 43 years they now care full-time for their grandson and part-time for their granddaughter. In the midst of these life-changing events Dr. Paradise has graciously volunteered to step back into a leadership role for CCJR.

    Dr. Paradise is an ordained minister and a retired Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor with a Bachelor Degree in Theology, a Masters in Counseling, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Counseling. He is also a Licensed Temperament Therapist, and holds Board Certification in Abuse and Crisis Therapy, and as a Temperament Instructor. He is a Charter Member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, a Professional Clinical Member of the National Christian Counselors Association, and is a Diplomat with the National Board of Christian Clinical Therapists, of Sarasota, Florida.

    The concepts of redemption and forgiveness are beliefs that most American’s tout, however societal practices as well as those who have been touched by the criminal justice system often speak a different tune. As a recipient of grace Dr. Paradise has a compassionate heart for those who have experienced failure and the men, women and families who have been affected by the criminal justice system.  Good people do bad things but Dr. Bob believes that every person is worthy of forgiveness and with a transformation of heart and mind anyone can change.  The past does not have to dictate the future!

    Rehabilitation and support are key to this process. The simple truth is that the best practices in education, training, rehabilitative programs, therapy and parole all help protect the community.  Paradise believes that New Hampshire needs to make that kind of investment as a wise use of resources. At CCJR we support rational, cost effective programs and policies that reduce crime and slow the revolving door back into prison.  Rehabilitative programs along with needed therapy provide offenders a better chance to succeed, which in turn make our society safer. (Dr. Bob was a Founding Member of CCJR in October, 2010.)

  • Attorney Michael Sheehan, Esq. — Vice-Chairman — Mike has been a trial lawyer in Concord, New Hampshire for almost twenty-five years, focusing on civil rights litigation, criminal defense, and post-conviction issues. Mike has completed dozens of jury trials, appealed many cases to the New Hampshire Supreme Court, the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and once to the United States Supreme Court, and regularly appears before the superior and district courts and several administrative bodies throughout the state.  Mike serves as the Vice Chairman and is a member of the Editorial Committee and the Litigation Planning Committee. (Founding Member of CCJR in 2010)
  • Sandra McGonagle, CAGS — Treasurer — Sandra is a retired educator/consultant with 35 years in education in the New Hampshire school system. She earned her Master’s Degree in Education at Antioch New England and C.A.G.S. (Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies) from Plymouth State University. She is a resident of Gilford, NH and serves her community on various boards and commissions. She is a member of the Governor’s Advisory Board to DCYF. Sandra serves on our Membership Committee and is a member of the Editorial and Finance Committees.
  • Jeremy J. Olson — Board Secretary, Research Committee Chairman, Webmaster — Jeremy is an information technology professional, specializing in IT security and privacy, and has worked in the industry since 2000. He created his first website in 1996. He is currently a senior software developer at a mid-size software business in southern New Hampshire. He founded EPRCI, a small web-hosting, IT consulting, and web-development business, with many other liberty activists and organizations as its customers. He is a lifetime member and former Research Director of the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance (NHLA). He co-founded the Manchester Free Press with other liberty activists. He is a member and past president of the Canaan Lions Club. He is a member of the Board of Directors and Secretary of Peaceful Assembly Church in Grafton. He founded the Mascoma Valley Taxpayers Union (MVTU), and has served as its Chairman and Treasurer since its founding. He has served as a Trustee of the Trust Funds and a Planning Board Alternate and minute-taker for the Town of Grafton. He has been a volunteer with a variety of other liberty activist groups and causes in New Hampshire since 2007. More information can be found at JeremyJOlson.com. (Founding Member of CCJR.)
  • Thomas Adams, B.A. — After 39 years employment with the NEA-NH, an education association, Thomas Adams retired and enrolled in the NH Institute of Art, where in 2011 he established a photographic archive. As a social justice advocate, Adams helped found the Manchester Alliance for the Advancement of Hispanic Americans, and the Coalition of Organized Public Employees. Adams is a graduate of UNH and the Harvard Trade Union at the Harvard Law School. Adams is also a consultant of fine art photography. Tom is our Communications Secretary and a member of the Legislative Committee.
  • Richard E. Mori, B.A. — Richard is a graduate from Holy Apostles College, with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. Richard is a life long advocate for peace and justice; has worked in both the private and public sector, and see's criminal justice issues as the single most pressing concern in the local community. Richard is our NARSOL Liaison and a member of the Legislative Planning Committee and the Social Planning and Events Committee.
  • Melody M. Bourgeois RN — Melody has an Associate’s Degree in Nursing and has worked as a Registered Nurse for the past 22 years in several different health care settings i.e., Long Term Care, Skilled Care, and Acute Care.  Melody’s passion to serve the sick and underserved in her community led her to become a nurse and an active volunteer for her church.  She has served in a voluntary role as the secretary/treasurer at her church for 10 years, was a facilitator of a weekly Women’s Bible Study group and participated in the financial planning and implementation of community outreach programs in the Greater Manchester area.  Melody has recently experienced firsthand how broken our judicial and prison systems are and how they fail to rehabilitate and restore the incarcerated.   She feels “true reform” cannot occur until we as a society are willing to have the “tough conversations” that lead to healing and restoration, not shaming and demoralization.  She recognizes the significant role the Church and Community Organizations can play in changing the “cultural norms” of how we view and treat the incarcerated through education, rehabilitation, research, litigation, advocacy and conversation.  Melody serves on our Social Planning and Events Committee and our Litigation Planning Committee.
  • Kate Kirkwood, M.B.A. – Kate of K. Kirkwood Consulting, LLC is the founder of Lead-Edu, an EPA- and HUD-certified training firm offering RRP Lead Safety certification and related services. Kate has a Masters Degree in Business and over twenty years of experience in adult education. She is an award-winning Adjunct Professor of Business and has taught classes and workshops at several local colleges.
  • Greg Papia
  • Maggie Ellis
  • Matthew Moris
  • Meredyth Armitage

  • Michael Sauve — Michael has volunteered and advocated for prison reform through various church ministries. He is co-chair of the Episcopal Diocese of NH Prison Concerns Committee. He also volunteers and advocates on several committees with Rights and Democracy NH-VT. Michael is a strong advocate for housing and healthcare justice as a human right not a privilege. He also believes that everyone deserves a second chance in life and should not be judged soley by past actions.  Michael has also been an advocate helping to pass legislation around the criminal justice issues he so deeply cares about. He works full-time at the Concord Monitor and has held that position for over 13 years. Michael loves to attend and participate in webinars and classes that surround the criminal justice system. 

Board Member Emeritus Status

Definition: There shall be an honorary category of former Board members known as a Board Member Emeritus who is nominated and elected by the Board of Directors. Board members emeritus shall be selected from those board members who have served on the Board of Directors with distinction and excellence and have resigned in good standing.

Eligibility: In order to be considered for designation as a board member emeritus, a person must be a former member of the Citizens for Criminal Justice Reform Board of Directors who:

  • Has served the Citizens for Criminal Justice Reform Board of Directors with distinction.
  • Held an important leadership role, and made or continues to make significant contributions.
  • Engaged in major volunteer or advocacy activities in his or her service on the board.
  • Completed at least one full term for which he or she was appointed.
  • Resigned from active service on the board.

Board Member Emeritus

  • Thomas Adams - July 15, 1942 - August 3, 2023.   Tom was born in Concord, New Hampshire on July 15, 1942. On August 17, 2023, Tom was interred in the family plot at the Oakland Cemetery in Meredith, NH.Thomas L. Adams Jr. obituary, 1942-2023, Concord New Hampshire

    Thomas grew up in Concord and was active in the Boy Scouts. He graduated from Concord High School in 1960, then attended the University of New Hampshire majoring in Education and graduated in 1964. His career began as a teacher, first in Bethlehem and then in Salem, NH. He left teaching to work with the NH Education Association advocating for both teachers and their students. Later he became the Executive Director for the Manchester Education Association serving twenty-seven years. During his tenure as Executive Director, Thomas graduated from The Harvard Trade Union Program at Harvard University.  Thomas was not only a Social Justice Advocate and Board Member of Citizens for Criminal Justice Reform. He also helped found The Advancement of Hispanic Americans and the Coalition of Organized Public Employees.

    After 39 years employment with the NEA-NH, an education association, Thomas Adams retired and enrolled in the NH Institute of Art, where in 2011 he established a photographic archive. As a social justice advocate, Adams helped found the Manchester Alliance for the Advancement of Hispanic Americans, and the Coalition of Organized Public Employees. Adams is a graduate of UNH and the Harvard Trade Union at the Harvard Law School. Adams is also a consultant of fine art photography. Tom is our Communications Secretary and a member of the Legislative Committee.

    Tom was actively involved with Citizens for Criminal Justice Reform (CCJR) since July 2011, just six months after the organization was founded. His contributions to CCJR have been invaluable, as he has served as a faithful board member and volunteer, dedicating his time and effort to the organization's mission.

    His roles within CCJR have been crucial to its success:

    1. Board Member and Volunteer: Tom's active participation since July 2011, shortly after CCJR's founding, demonstrates his dedication as both a board member and a volunteer. His consistent contributions have been invaluable to the organization's growth and effectiveness.

    2. Communication Secretary: Tom's role as the Communication Secretary highlights his responsibility for managing and enhancing internal communication within CCJR. Timely responses to mail from inmates and their families are essential for maintaining effective communication channels within the organization. This role ensures that critical information is disseminated efficiently.

    3. Acting Chair of the Legislative Policy Committee: Tom's leadership as the Acting Chair of the Legislative Policy Committee underscores his dedication to shaping CCJR's policy and advocacy efforts. This role involves strategizing and promoting legislative initiatives aligned with CCJR's goals related to criminal justice reform. His ability to foster a working relationship with the State Department of Corrections and act as a liaison with Commissioner Helen Hanks further highlights his skills in advocating for reform.

    Tom's long-standing dedication and versatile contributions have made him an indispensable asset to CCJR. His absence will be deeply felt, as he has undoubtedly played a pivotal role in advancing the organization's mission. His legacy of advocating for meaningful criminal justice reform will continue to inspire others within CCJR and beyond.

Board Member Emeritus

  • Chris Dornin, B.A. (Served from January 2011 — May 22, 2019)   Chris Dornin is a founding member of Citizen's for Criminal Justice Reform. He has served as a CCJR volunteer from January 2011 until his retirement on May 22, 2019.  He not only helped start the organization but served as the first Chairman of CCJR from January 2011 until February 2012.  Within the organization he has served on the Executive Board, the Editorial Committee and as the Chair of CCJR's Legislative Policy Committee. In that role, he spent countless hours advocating for justice at the New Hampshire State House speaking for and against various legislation. Dornin has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Williams College; is a former correctional counselor and a retired N.H. State House reporter.  As a writer he has won 22 press association awards and a NH Arts Council fellowship in poetry. We are please to award him with the honorary title of Board Member Emeritus. Chris continues to live in Concord, New Hampshire with his wife Cathy.

About the GOVERN for IMPACT Board

THOSE WHO SERVED

Over the last 13 years, it has been my pleasure to work with some amazing volunteers who served in key roles. Many of them wore several hats, taking on numerous responsibilities too numerous to list.

  1. Chris Dornin, Served 2011-2019 - Founding Member, Served as first Chairman, Vice Chairman, LPC Chair, wore many, many hats. 8 Years of Service.
  2. Sandra Mcgonagle, Dedicated Treasurer for the majority of our years. Finance Committee,  Wore Many hats, dedicated and faithful. 13 years of service.
  3. Jeremy Olson, Founding Member, Faithful Board Secretary for the entire 13 years.
  4. Michael Sheehan, Esq. Founding Member, Vice Chairman & legal advisor, one year as Chairman. - Served: 13 years
  5. Tom Adams, Board Member, LPC Chair, Finance Committee, Many Hats.  Served: 13 years
  6. Richard Mori, various committees, Board Member. Served 13 years.
  7. Michael Suave, Board Member. Served: 3 Years to Present.
  8. Phil Horner, Founding Board Member, Contributing Author Notes from the Land of Oz - 9 Years.
  9. Raymond Ellsworth, Board Member. Served 3 Years
  10. Rev. Cheryl (Sherry) Stromski, Board Member. Served 3 years.
  11. Laurie Methven, Board Member, Served 3 Years
  12. Beatrice Coulter, Board Member. Served 3 Years
  13. Wanda Duryea, Board Member Served 3 Years
  14. Leann Dehart, Board Member. Served 2 Years.
  15. Peter Bearse, Treasurer, Founding Member, Served 2 Years
  16. Jean Metzger, Founding Board Member. Served 1 Year
  17. Sharon Drolet, Board Member and Treasurer. Served 1 Year.
  18. Marjorie Mann, Membership Secretary, Founding Board Member, Served 1 year.
  19. Morrison Bonpasse, Board Member 1 Year
  20. Susan Nagelsen, Esq. Founding Board Member. Served 1 Year
  21. Stephanie Levesque, Board Member and Media Manager. Served 2 Years
  22. Marsha Thunberg, Board Member. Served 6 Months.
  23. Richard Nowlin, Board Member. Served a Few Months
  24. David Fisher, Board Member. Served a Few Months
  25. Ashley Turner, - Board Member Served 2 Months
  26. Becky Mcquire, Board Member
The Following People Agreed to Come on Board to Assist in Dissolution Process:
  1. Melody M. Bourgeois, Board Member, Legislative Committee, Servant's Heart, wore many  hats. Prior service 5 Years and April 2024, to Present
  2. Kate Kirkwood, Board Member. Prior Service 5 years and April 2024 to Present
  3. Greg Papia, Board Member. April 2024 to Present
  4. Maggie Ellis, Board Member. April 2024 to Present
  5. Meredyth Armitage, Board Member. April 2024 to Present
  6. Matthew Morris, Board Member. April 2024 to Present