Levinesa Hangka – Training and Development Specialist III

Levi joins the TDCJ VSD Clearinghouse from her previous role as a training manager with HCL Technologies. She spent two decades within the business process outsourcing industry and was craving a new career path. Working in government has been completely new to her, but Levi says that she sees “a career in public service as an exciting challenge that could push me to grow in ways I haven’t explored before.”

One fun fact about Levi is that she is a major introvert, and that conversing with herself helps her to think and process her work.

Julia DeWitt – Training and Development Specialist II

Julia is the most recent addition to the VSD Clearinghouse, meaning all of our trainer positions are currently filled! She came to TDCJ VSD from her previous job as a graduate assistant with the Victim Services Program at Sam Houston State University, where she graduated with her Master’s in Victim Services Management.

Julia enjoys learning about new ways to better serve victims and sharing her knowledge with others. A fun fact about Julia is that she has a 4-pound chihuahua named Papi, who recently lit up the stage as Bruiser in the Temple Civic Theatre production of Legally Blonde.

Antonio Sandoval – Administrative Assistant V

Antonio transitioned to the VSD from the Parole Division as a Reentry and Integration Administrative Assistant. His kind heart and calming presence was greatly beneficial to his first VSD role with the Hotline, so much so that he just received a promotion from Customer Service Representative III to Administrative Assistant V. Congratulations, Antonio!

Antonio joined the VSD because he enjoys helping those in need, and he has made that obvious since day one. One fun fact about Antonio is that he enjoys working on cars in his spare time.

Perryon Huggins – Customer Service Representative III

Perry is certainly no stranger to government work. He came to the VSD after departing from his previous job as a Human Resources assistant with the Department of Defense. His passion shows in his work, as Perry states that he “really enjoy[s] being able to help victims of crime to the best of my ability. It is really a rewarding experience to help and comfort those who may need it most.”

A fun fact about Perry is that he is a self-proclaimed huge Star Wars and Marvel nerd. May the force be with you, Perryon!

Alexis Hawley – Ombudsman II, Victim Offender Mediation Dialogue

Alexis re-joins us here in the VSD after a 6-month hiatus. She has substantial direct victim services experience and has previously worked on the ground as a victim services coordinator. Alexis’s reason for coming back is that she has “never felt more supported in a workplace than I do at VSD, and I genuinely love the VOMD program.”

Some fun tidbits about Alexis are that she was born and raised in Iowa, is a published scientific author, and that she collects butterflies (“ethically sourced, of course!”).

Sheila Patterson – Program Specialist II, Notifications

Sheila joins the VSD’s hotline section after departing her previous job as a project manager. Sheila felt led to victim services because she “wanted a meaningful job where I make a difference in people's lives,” and the VSD hotline is a great place to make a difference.

One fun fact about Sheila is that she used to be a clown at birthday parties in her teen years.