NOPJF Staff Members
Robert A. Stellingworth
President Emeritus
Robert Stellingworth serves as a liaison between stakeholders in the New Orleans criminal justice system across a wide variety of administrative and political levels. He is extensively involved in criminal justice negotiations, as well as fundraising and developmental efforts for the Foundation, overseeing annual budgets exceeding $3,000,000 in grants and private-sector donations.
Mr. Stellingworth brings to NOPJF more than 30 years of experience managing investigations, personnel, programs, technology projects, criminal justice reform and budgets at various organizational levels in law enforcement and education. A proven success in program development, training, personnel motivation, and goal achievement, Mr. Stellingworth served in law-enforcement management positions with national and regional responsibilities for over 10 years. Following a distinguished career with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Mr. Stellingworth also served as co-director of the Center for Society, Law and Justice at Metropolitan College, University of New Orleans.
Mr. Stellingworth holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University, and has been involved with the development and implementation of innovative law-enforcement programs and technology initiatives throughout his career. He has earned several professional distinctions, including the nationally awarded ATF Director‘s Award for Public Service, the Gene Jewel Award for Arson Prevention and Public Service in the State of Ohio, and selection to the U.S. Senior Executive Service Program in 1997.
Mr. Stellingworth is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and a life member of the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators.
Heidi J. Unter
COO/Acting Director
As Vice President of Research & Development, Heidi Unter manages multiple, large-scale efforts centered on rebuilding and renewing the criminal justice system in New Orleans and the surrounding metropolitan area following Hurricane Katrina. Current projects include integrating the technologies of the criminal justice agencies of Orleans Parish, facilitating business process reengineering between criminal justice agencies, managing federal funding initiatives related to Hurricane Katrina recovery, and conducing applied policy research on evolving issues affecting the criminal justice system.
Prior to joining the NOPJF, Dr. Unter was Associate Director of Research at the University of New Orleans’ Center for Society, Law and Justice. As Associate Director, she was involving in providing technical assistance and training to law enforcement stakeholders around the country on strategic planning, performance measurement and business process change. Dr. Unter has published both qualitative and quantitative research on a variety of criminal justice topics. Dr. Unter is also an adjunct professor at UNO and teaches courses in political science and criminal justice.
Dr. Unter earned her doctorate in Political Science from the University of New Orleans. Her research agenda has focused on fear of crime, public opinion, police integrity and other justice related issues. She has completed specialty training in the areas of Justice Information Sharing Technologies, Criminal Justice Performance Measurement and Evaluation, Project Management, and Strategic Planning. Dr. Unter has also completed FBI training in the areas of Leadership, Teambuilding and Managing Death Investigations, and has participated in Department of Justice seminars on Justice Information Exchange Mapping and Approaches to Violent Crime Reduction.
Dr. Unter’s professional affiliations and recognitions include:
- FBI Citizen’s Academy Alumni
- American Political Science Association
- Louisiana Technology Council
- American Criminal Justice Association
- National Criminal Justice Association
- National Association of Justice Information Systems
Dr. Unter was born in Lafourche Parish and comes from a rich Cajun heritage. She is fluent in Cajun French and is involved in efforts to preserve the culture, heritage and language of the Cajuns of south Louisiana.
Elodia M. Blanco
Vice President of Programs & Special Projects
As Vice President of Programs & Special Projects, Elodia Blanco serves New Orleans law enforcement and the community at large in a variety of capacities. She screens and processes all new police officers entering law enforcement in the City of New Orleans. She is also the Director of the NOPJF COPS for Kids summer camp, and Director of Walk the Beat / Crescent City Bluesfest, one of NOPJF’s annual fundraisers and community events.
Prior to joining the NOPJF, Ms. Blanco held a management position with the city’s Federal Credit Union, and worked seven years as a manager of Mayor Dutch Morial’s office, where she was director of the largest volunteer force in the history of New Orleans, overseeing the activities of 1600 volunteers.
Ms. Blanco studied business at Sonoma State University in northern California. She is a leading advocate for Environmental Justice and works with many grassroots organizations. She is a member of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, the president of Agriculture Street Landfill, and has served as a board member of the National Black Environmental Justice Network. She also is a board member of WYES Television Station in New Orleans.
Ms. Blanco has traveled extensively throughout the United States, and has visited Switzerland and South Africa, where she addressed the Commission on Human Rights and the World Council of Churches. She is a member of Mount Kingdom Baptist Church.
Tony Brual
Vice President of Federal Programs
Tony Brual is responsible for the oversight of the day-to-day administrative functioning of the Federal Programs division of the organization.
Prior to this role, Mr. Brual served as the Program Director for Jefferson Parish Weed and Seed, with operational as well as management responsibility for the implementation of the strategy. He has been a catalyst for successful program development and implementation, complemented by providing exemplary comprehensive service delivery to disadvantaged communities. Also, he has provided outstanding leadership in both start-up and turnaround efforts and has a demonstrated ability to provide technical assistance assisting social service organizations build their capacity and improve their outcomes and performance.
Mr. Brual earned a Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of New Orleans and Bachelor of Arts degree from Dillard University. He specializes in community development with a special emphasis on community organizing.
Annette C. Bodden, CPA
Chief Financial Officer/Vice President
Ms. Bodden joined NOPJF in early 2002. Prior to joining NOPJF, she held executive level financial positions in the commercial and residential real estate, property/casualty insurance, public utility and automotive industries. She most recently was the SFO for Columbus Properties, owned by local commercial real estate developer and hotel owner, Joseph C. Canizaro.
Ms. Bodden is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the state of Louisiana. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans with honors. She was admitted to the University of New Orleans MBA Program and also completed the US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Financial Management Training Seminar.
Ms. Bodden is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants.
