The Executive Board consists of 4 Officers (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary) and 6 Directors and if available the most immediate past President. Nominations of those running for the board are announced at the January meeting and elections are held at the February meeting. Newly elected board members are installed at the March Meeting. Any member who is in good standing and who has been a member for at least 1 year is eligible for nomination.
President
Contact: president@gcpaaa.com
Vice President - Amy Custer
Contact: vicepresident@gcpaaa.com
Secretary - Melissa Garner
My name is Melissa Garner. I’m a graduate of CPA Class #8 in 1996. I served on the GCPAAA Board for 8 years 1998-2006 as the Director of Merchandise. Currently I’m still serving as Secretary. I’ve worked on the planning committee for all three conventions hosted by the Garland CPAAA, in 1996, 2006 and in 2018. I assist the Texas CPAAA with the TCOLE training hours logged at each year’s convention to ensure the officers get credit for classes attended.
I’m honored to have served on the committee for the very first Garland Police Awards Dinner that our Alumni hosted and proud to say I’ve assisted with several more over the past 24 years. I was honored to receive the Garland Police Departments Volunteer of the Year in 2000.
I am employed by the Garland Independent School District, celebrating 24 years in 2022
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, and doing crafts . I have made a lot of lifelong friends through the Garland CPAAA and Garland Police Department.
Contact: secretary@gcpaaa.com
Treasurer - Jennifer Lewis
My name is Jennifer Lewis. I am currently serving as an Executive Officer in the position of Treasurer. Jennifer is a graduate of CPA Class 29 in 2007. Jennifer has served as Treasurer since 2012. She also holds the office of Treasurer for the Texas Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association. She is a member of the DPS Citizen Alumni Association as well. Jennifer has volunteered for many events over the years including cookouts, fundraisers and the Little Pockets from Big Hearts program. She works at Bank of America and has now surpassed 30 years with the company. Jennifer is married and has 2 children. When not volunteering she is watching her daughter cheer on the sideline of Texas A&M Commerce. Jennifer loves working with the Garland Police Department. Over the years she has made several friends that have become like family.
Contact: treasurer@gcpaaa.com
Director - Del Newberry
My name is Del Newberry. I am a graduate of CPA Class #36, joined GCPAAA as quickly as I could, and have been on the board of directors since 2012, serving one term as President.
I have been impressed with the many ways in which our organization supports the Garland Police Department. It has been great to meet the Police Officers and to work alongside our great GCPAAA members.
My wife, Kim, and I moved to Garland in 1982 and raised two daughters here. One graduated from North Garland, the other from Garland High. I served as President of the Carriaghouse Neighbors Association for 5 years, and completed Citizens On Patrol training and served as COP volunteers within our neighborhood. Del is extremely thankful to the GPD for the NPO program – they have been doing community policing way before it became a buzzword.
We are active members of our church, and I am thankful for the prayer support of others in our association who are people of faith. I have loved getting to know many of the members and as membership director I started sending out birthday cards, so that you would hear from the association at least one more time other than when membership renewals are due! I have loved serving as a board member and upholding the fine traditions and service excellence that have made us an award-winning organization that supports its Police Department in the best ways possible!
Contact: membership@gcpaaa.com
Director - Katherine Willis
My name is Katherine Willis. I graduated from the Garland Citizen Police Academy Class 51 in May 2018. I received the Top Gun Female award at graduation for the highest score at the shooting range. That was the first time I had ever shot a gun. During the class I learned so much about the police department during the 3 months that I knew joining the GCPAAA was a must. I have been on the board since 2019. I am currently the Volunteer Coordinator.
I graduated from Lakeview Centennial High School where I was involved in the Law Magnet. I attended the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference my Junior and Senior year competing in Chapter Business Procedure. One of my most memorable events that we did in the Law Magnet was helping plan the memorial service at the Garland Police Department for Peace Officer Appreciation Week. After graduating high school, I attended the University of Texas at Austin.
Contact: volunteercoord@gcpaaa.com
Director - Cathy Tison
My name is Cathy Tison. I am currently serving on the Board of Directors in the position of Merchandise Coordinator. I am a lateral transfer into class 52 in 2018. I transferred from Rockwall so that I could be an active member of a wonderful Alumni. Even before I transferred in, I knew I wanted to be part of this organization. I am also on the Texas Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association Board in charge of memberships, steering committee for Region 2 and a member of the DPS Citizen Alumni Association. Since becoming a member in Garland I have participated in several events but my favorites have to be Little Pockets from Big Hearts as well as helping at the Guns and Hoses events. I joined the Alumni with my sister, mom and dad and then my husband decided to join us in 2022. This is truly a family affair for us. I have 1 adult son and 1 grandson that I adore. He loves hanging out with the officers at events. I grew up in Garland, graduated from Lakeview in 1993 and have been a nurse at Children’s Medical Center for 23 years.
Contact: merchandise@gcpaaa.com
Director - Madelynn Willis
My Name is Madelynn Willis and I am on the Board of Directors and currently in-charge of Fundraising
Contact: fundraising@gcpaaa.com
Director - Holli Sanborn
My name is Holli Sanborn and I have lived in Garland since 1986. I am a retired nurse with extensive
experience in numerous areas over a 35-year career. I am married with no children but have 3 pretty
wonderful grandchildren and one great grandchild.
I attended the Garland Citizen Police Academy in Class 57 graduating in November 2022 and I loved
every second of it! The exposure to all areas of the police department and information gleaned from the
experiences, officer presentations as well as the classes was invaluable.
I knew I wanted to give back to our officers and police staff in whatever way I could which you can
certainly do through the alumni association. I have participated in many of the volunteer events since
before graduation and have thoroughly enjoyed supporting our officers at each event.
This will be my first year on the board and I am honored to serve with this great association.
Contact: specialproj1@gcpaaa.com
Director - Trisha Smith
My name is Trisha Smith. I graduated from CPA class #56 and have loved being a part of the
alumni association since joining. I have lived in Garland all my life. Growing up I enjoyed
interacting with our police officers at different neighborhood meetings and events.
Through the CPA classes and alumni association, I have had the opportunity to meet so many
amazing alumni members, police officers and other department employees.
I have worked at a dental office since 2020 and enjoy my role as a dental anesthesia coordinator.
I loved volunteering, as an alumni member, in the events that the GCPAAA hosts and supports. It
is honoring and exciting to have the opportunity to serve as a board member now and be more
involved with the planning and putting on of events. I look forward to getting to know the
GCPAAA board members and alumni members better!
Contact: specialproj2@gcpaaa.com
Special Committee - Tom Little
My name is Tom Little. I have been a resident of Garland since 1975. I grew up in Dallas and graduated from Bryan Adams HS. I served in the US Navy for 11.5 years and when I got stationed at NAS Dallas, we moved to Garland. I worked for various companies when I was discharged, all utilizing my skills in electronic communications. I retired from AT&T, as a technician and later as an Operations Manager for 36 years. I attended the Citizen Police Academy in Class 51 (2018) at the urging from my son-in-law, who is a Garland Officer.
Since graduation from the Citizens Police Academy, I have been an active member of the CPA Alumni Association. I feel honored to be a part of the GCPAAA Board of Directors and working on the Social Media functions of Association. I also volunteer on a team that performs checks on the Patrol vehicles for maintenance issues every week. I also help with the Vacation Watch Program. I have also volunteered with various functions of the GCPAAA, such as Christmas on the Square, Labor Day Parade, and helping with various other opportunities to salute our various GPD Heroes. It has been a privilege to associate with the many officers and associates with GPD and with the other members of the GCPAAA.
I am married to Carol and my two children graduated from South Garland HS. Carol is retired from GISD and our son is a Captain with GFD and our daughter works in the GPD Property room and works in Dispatch part time. We have 7 grandchildren and all are treasures of our heart.
Contact: special_committee1@gcpaaa.com
Director - Tyler Smith
My name is Tyler Smith, and I was born and raised in Garland. I am on the special committee and am serving as a helping hand to any offices that need assistance. I graduated from class #56 and was the fastest male driver in my class as well as the alumni drive day. This will be my second term to serve and I hope to serve many more. I always enjoy serving and helping the police department with any events they host and encouraging the officers to keep up the good work. My favorite event to help with is the Guns and Hoses Boxing Tournament but the officer cookout is a close second.
Contact: special_committee2@gcpaaa.com
Sergeant at Arms - Dorris Murdock
My name is Dorris Murdock. I’m graduate of the Garland CPAAA Class #8 in 1996. I‘ve been a
proud member of the association for 28 years. I served as President of the Association for 10
years. Currently, I serve as the Sergeant at Arms for eight years after stepping down as
President.
I am a Steering Committee member of the Region 2 organization to bring the area Alumni’s
together to educate and learn from one another.
I serve as the Vice President of the Texas CPAAA to oversee the Conventions since the
beginning of the association 18 years ago in 2005. I also am serving 22 years on the Board of
Directors for the Guns & Hoses Foundation of North Texas. This organization supports the
families of our fallen police officers and firefighters and First Responders inline of duty deaths.
My support and passion to serve law enforcement comes from my true hero, my father, who
served as a Dallas Police Officer for 30 years.
Before retirement I worked for a worldwide telecommunications firm Nokia for 30 years as a
Finance Manager.
My joys in my life are watching my grandson play baseball, I love hockey and my Border Collie
Abbey. I’m blessed by the many friends I’ve made in the various Police Departments and Alumni
Associations across the great state of Texas. I’m proud to be part of this award-winning
Association.
Contact: sgt_at_arms@gcpaaa.com
Public Information Officer/G.C.P.A.A.A. Liaison - Officer Matt Pesta
Officer Pesta has been with the Garland Police Department since 2006. He began his career working as a Detention Officer in the Garland Detention Center. After five years, he joined the Garland Police Academy Recruit Class 56. Officer Pesta worked several years in the Patrol Division and, in October of 2016, joined the Neighborhood Police Officer Unit. In March of 2020, he became a Community Relations / Public Information Officer. Officer Pesta served the department as a Negotiator for the SWAT team for two years and is currently an active member of the Honor Guard and the department’s Crisis Intervention Stress Management (CISM) team.
As a Community Relations Officer, Officer Pesta maintains a positive and active role in bridging the Police Department and community closer together. He attends multiple events as a police representative to answer questions and concerns from the public. Officer Pesta is the police liaison to the Garland Citizen Police Academy and Alumni, the City Council Senior Citizen Advisory Board, gives crime prevention tips, public safety lessons, and overall insight into what Garland Police Officers and staff do daily.
As a Public Information Officer, Officer Pesta is responsible for providing clear, concise, helpful information to the public and news organizations. He responds to active scenes and provides police insight over the telephone, email, and web-based live meetings. Whether in person, over the phone, email, social media, or online live sessions. Officer Pesta strives to build a positive public image while promoting a better understanding of the police organization.