12:00PM
Richmond, VA
Draft
Council Members Present
Officers:
R. Bryan Haskins (Pittsylvania County), Chair
David L. Ledbetter (Waynesboro), First Vice Chair
Tracy Q. Martin (Halifax County), Second Vice Chair (remote attendance pre-approved – distance)
Bryan L. Porter (City of Alexandria), Past Chairman (remote attendance pre-approved – distance)
Council District Representatives:
Krystyn L. Reid (York County) (remote attendance pre-approved – distance)
Georgette C. Phillips (Isle of Wight County)
Anton A. Bell (City of Hampton) (remote attendance pre-approved – distance)
Erin B. Barr (Chesterfield County) (remote attendance pre-approved – distance)
Bethany A. S. Harrison (City of Lynchburg) (remote attendance pre-approved – distance)
David L. Ledbetter (City of Waynesboro)
Bryan L. Porter (City of Alexandria) (remote attendance pre-approved – distance)
Other Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Present
Meredith Adkins (King and Queen County) (remote attendance)
John Alexander (Botetourt County) (remote attendance)
Amy Ashworth (Prince William) (remote attendance)
Mackenzie Babichenko (Hanover) (remote attendance)
Erin Barr (Chesterfield County) (remote attendance)
Clarissa T. Berry (Madison County) (remote attendance)
Eric Branscom (Floyd County) (remote attendance)
Cooper Brown (Franklin County) (remote attendance)
Derek Davis (Surry County)
Ramin Fatehi (Norfolk City)
Susan Fierro (Prince George County) (remote attendance)
Les Fleet (Appomattox County) (remote attendance)
Justin Griffith (Pulaski County) (remote attendance)
Jeff Haislip (Fluvanna County) (remote attendance)
Wendy Hannah (Cumberland County) (remote attendance)
Heather Hovermale (Winchester City) (remote attendance)
Mike Jones (Wythe County) (remote attendance)
Tyler Klink (Charles City County) (remote attendance)
Spencer Morgan (Accomack County) (remote attendance)
Joseph Platania (City of Charlottesville) (remote attendance)
Colin Stolle (Virginia Beach) (remote attendance)
Regina Sykes (Sussex County) (remote attendance)
Parisa Tafti (Arlington County) (remote attendance)
Shannon Taylor (Henrico County) (remote attendance)
Jack Thornton (Northampton County) (remote attendance)
Jane Wrightson (Northumberland County) (remote attendance)
Guests
Deputy and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys Present
CASC Staff Present
Elliott Casey, Director
VACA Staff Present
Amanda Howie, Administrator
Abigail Wilcox, Assistant to the Administrator
This meeting took place in-person at the Truist Building, but several members attended electronically using a secured video link provided by the Virginia Association of Commonwealth’s Attorneys to facilitate their attendance.
Call to Order
Mr. Haskins called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m.
Minutes
The draft minutes from the May 6, 2026, meeting were previously posted and circulated to Council. The minutes were approved with two minor edits, removing Mr. Anderson and adding Mr. Haislip as attendees.
Chairman’s Report
None.
Administrator’s Report
Mr. Casey reviewed the agenda items:
Old Business
CATF Update
Mr. Casey reviewed the CATF balance sheet reflecting account activity through May 31, 2026.
2026 Spring Institute Update
Mr. Casey reviewed the status of Spring Institute reimbursements for the 2026 Spring Institute expenses of Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Offices. Mr. Casey also reviewed the status of the 2026 audits of selected Spring Institute attending jurisdictions, which is currently in progress.
Lastly, Mr. Casey specially commended the commonwealth’s attorneys’ offices who declined reimbursement. CASC appreciates their willingness to use his own funds rather than CASC’s limited CATF funds.
Spring Institute 2030 Update
Mr. Casey advised that CASC is currently exploring options for the April 14-17, 2030 Spring Institute, including potential venues throughout the Commonwealth other than Norfolk.
New Business
CASC New Laws Webinar
Mr. Casey advised that CASC will hold part two of its first-ever webinar reviewing the new laws from the Virginia General Assembly today, June 17, at 3:30 p.m. Instructors will be Mr. Casey and Jason Kowalski, CASC Staff Attorney. CASC will continue to review and examine the new legislation from the 2026 General Assembly session. Mr. Casey shared that the last webinar was well-attended and received a very positive response from attendees.
CASC Staff Retreat
Mr. Casey shared that CASC staff will conduct an all-day retreat tomorrow, June 18, in Williamsburg. CASC staff plan to review the CASC 2027 budget in detail, as well as CASC policies and practices. One topic will be how to recruit new faculty for existing programs and develop a more diverse faculty for the coming years that represents the many different prosecutors and offices in the Commonwealth.
Mr. Casey also shared that Mr. Jason Kowalski, CASC Staff Attorney, has decided to return to the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Office as a prosecutor in July. This will create a vacancy at CASC. Mr. Casey thanked Mr. Kowalski for his service and his outstanding contributions to Virginia’s Prosecutors.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Adjournment
There being no further business before Council, the meeting adjourned at 12:18 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Thursday, July 30, 3:00 p.m., at the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel, 4201 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451.