Meet NCJA's Leadership

The NCJA is governed by both a Board of Directors and an Advisory Council comprised of experienced criminal justice practitioners. These volunteer leaders give countless hours of their time to help guide NCJA in its mission.

President Jack Cutrone

Jack Cutrone was appointed Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Executive Director in October 2009, after having served as the agency’s general counsel since January 2006. As executive director, Mr. Cutrone directs ICJIA staff on the day-to-day operation of the agency. He also serves on the Illinois Sex Offender Management Board, Illinois Violence Prevention Authority, Illinois Family Violence Coordinating Council, and the Redeploy Illinois Executive Steering Committee. Prior to his state service, Mr. Cutrone was a trial and appellate attorney in both the public and private sectors for 33 years, including serving as deputy chief of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Special Prosecutions Bureau. He has also served as an author for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education and has taught on a part-time volunteer basis at area law schools and at bar association seminars in substantive law and trial practice.

Vice President Jeanne Smith

Jeanne Smith was appointed as the director of the Division of Criminal Justice in April, 2007. This division undertakes criminal justice policy, research,and trainings throughout the state, management of justice-related federal and state grant programs, oversight of community corrections, and crime victim rights protection. Ms. Smith chairs the Juvenile Clemency Board and serves as a member of the Colorado Witness Protection Board. Additionally, Ms. Smith chairs the sentencing reform subcommittee of the Colorado Criminal and Juvenile Justice Commission and is a board member of the National Criminal Justice Association.

Ms. Smith was the elected district attorney for Fourth Judicial District of Colorado for eight years from 1997-2005. Ms. Smith served as a prosecutor in that office for a total of 22 years. The Fourth Judicial district includes El Paso and Teller Counties, with the largest population base being Colorado Springs. From February 2005 through March 2007, Ms. Smith was the deputy attorney general for the Criminal Justice Section of the Colorado Attorney General’s office.

Ms. Smith received her Juris Doctorate of the University Of Illinois College Of Law, and also received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois.