Kent Justice, Moderator
Kent is a weekend anchor and evening reporter for Channel 4 News in Jacksonville. He came to Jacksonville from Columbus, Ohio, where he spent 12 years as an anchor on various shows. Kent has reported for and anchored television news casts since 1996. Kent is also one of the newest members of PACT Prevention Coalition's Board.
Toren Volkmann, Keynote Speaker
Co-author of From Binge to Blackout, Toren Volkmann graduated with a BA in psychology, and was a former Peace Corps Volunteer. He grips the story with the bite of an addict’s hidden desperation. Toren currently lives one day at a time in Portland, Oregon after successfully completing six months residence in a Florida halfway house. Now 6 years sober, Toren is a songwriter, avid surfer, gardener, and touring national speaker.
Judge Wendy Berger, Panel Member
Circuit Judge Wendy W. Berger was appointed to the bench in 2005. Before becoming a judge, she was assistant general counsel for former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and an assistant state attorney. She earned her undergraduate and law degrees from Florida State University. Past judicial assignments include the civil and probate divisions. Judge Berger currently hears criminal cases and presides over the St. Johns County Adult Drug Court at the Richard O. Watson Judicial Center in St. Augustine.
Sheriff David Shoar, Panel Member
Sheriff Shoar has been the St. Johns County Sheriff since 2004. Before becoming sheriff, he was extremely involved in the St. Johns County police department, having served as Operations Commander of the St. Augustine Police Department from 1998-2000, and serving as Chief of Police of the St. Augustine Police Department from 2000-2004. Shoar is also a 24 year veteran of the Florida Army National Guard. “Please join us and our community partners in this countywide effort to help our young people,” Shoar said. “The efforts to educate our youth, as well as their parents, on these issues are important because the loss of any child is one too many!”
Superintendent Dr. Joseph Joyner, Panel Member
Dr. Joyner has been Superintendent of Schools for the St. Johns County School District since July 1, 2003. In 2007 he received one of two Superintendent of the Year Awards from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. The following year he was selected as the Florida Superintendent of the Year by FADDS. His wife Susan is a fifth-grade teacher at South Woods Elementary School. The Joyners have been married for 32 years and have two daughters, both teachers, and three grandchildren. "Underage substance abuse is the most serious health risk facing the youth of St. Johns County," Joyner says. "We need more open and honest discussions coupled with comprehensive education and prevention strategies to tackle this threat to our children."
Dr. J. Douglas Scott, Panel Member
Dr. Scott is the Medical Director of Flagler Hospital's Emergency Department. During his military career, Dr. Scott worked in a variety of settings, including serving as Chief, Emergency Medical Services, for Tripler Army Medical Center, and Medical Advisor to the 68th Meidcal Detachment and 507 Air Ambulance Company. He has been in Florida for 16 years and completed his residency training for Emergency Medicen at Brooke Army Medical Center.