CJTC executive director Monica Alexander to leave; commission appoints Deputy Director Jerrell Wills as interim

Monica Alexander, the executive director of CJTC, told commissioners that she will resign effective March 31 and urged the commission to begin a nationwide search for her replacement.

Alexander said the commission should assemble a recruitment subcommittee to draft the job description and manage a nationwide recruitment, calling the work a "heavy lift" that will require commitment from commissioners. Commissioners volunteered for the panel and the chair read a slate of six volunteers: Commissioner Sperling, Commissioner Pickup, Commissioner Scarpone (noted in the chat), Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Barnes and a person recorded in the transcript as "Dutta Scribe." Commissioner Logue offered to serve as an alternate if needed.

Alexander also nominated her deputy to serve as interim executive director while the recruitment proceeds. "He shows up every day. He's very, very committed to this work, and I trust him," Alexander said when introducing her nominee and praising the staff. She identified the deputy in the meeting; the transcript spells the deputy's name inconsistently (see note below). Alexander said the interim would ensure continuity of operations during the transition.

The chair asked for—and received—a motion to appoint the deputy as interim executive director effective April 1, 2026. The chair clarified who made the motion on the record; the motion was seconded and put to a voice vote. The chair declared the motion carried after commissioners responded "aye." No votes in opposition or abstentions were recorded on the audio.

Commissioners offered thanks to Alexander for her service and to the deputy for agreeing to serve in an interim capacity. One commissioner asked whether an interim appointee would be barred from applying for the permanent job; Alexander said there is no clause preventing an interim from becoming a candidate.

The special meeting concluded with the chair expressing appreciation for Alexander's work and encouraging commissioners to attend the March 11 meeting in person to say farewell.

Notes on names and transcript inconsistencies: the transcript records multiple spellings for the deputy/interim appointee (examples include "Dorel Wills," "Jerrell Wills," and a motion text that reads "Terrell Wells"). This article uses "Deputy Director Jerrell Wills" to reflect the spelling that appears repeatedly in the discussion and the deputy's acceptance on the record; the timeline and clarifying details record the inconsistent forms found in the transcript.