DEBBIE JOHNSON
Host: The Women's Room
President of Rick Johnson & Company, Inc.
Johnson
has held numerous leadership positions in the community including
Chairman, Central NM Susan G. Komen Foundation 2001 (first woman),
Chairman of the Board, 3AI (Affiliated Advertising Agencies International.
First Woman in 55 Year history) 1993, Chairman of the Board, Better
Business Bureau 1999 (second woman), Chairman of the Board, UNM
Anderson Schools of Management 1999 (first woman), Chairman-Elect,
Albuquerque Economic Development 2002 (first woman), Chairman, National
Education Conference - 1995.
Rick Johnson & Co. KARI E. BRANDENBURG Host: The Women's Room Bernalillo County District Attorney Kari was born and raised in Albuquerque. She grew up in the courtroom watching her father, Jim Brandenburg, serve with distinction as the Chief Trial Attorney for the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office for eight years and then serve as the District Attorney from 1972 to 1976. She graduated from Sandia High School in 1972, received a bachelor’s degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas in 1976 and completed her law degree at Southern Methodist University in 1979. Following her graduation from law school, Kari worked in the New Mexico Public Defender’s Office, where she acquired extensive trial experience. In 1982, she joined her father in private practice, limiting her work to criminal law. Kari has practiced in Metropolitan Court, Magistrate and District Courts throughout the state of New Mexico. She has participated in Federal cases in California, Arizona and has argued before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, Colorado.
In January 2001, Kari assumed the office of the Second Judicial District Attorney. During her tenure, Kari has developed a number of initiatives, including the Truancy Prevention Program, Prosecutors in the Schools and Kids Against Violence Art Project. Domestic Violence, drunken driving and meaningful assistance to victims and their families are top priorities in her administration. Further, Kari has worked to form a genuine working partnership with other law enforcement agencies and the courts, toward the end of increasing public safety and the quality of life for Bernalillo County residents. Community service has always been important to Kari. As a child she began doing volunteer work and continues to be committed to it today. She was a foster parent to three children before she started her own family in 1984. When her second child died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in 1987, she became active with the New Mexico SIDS Affiliate, serving as President for eight years. Kari has four children, ages 9 to 21. |