John Etchemendy Named Family Violence & Domestic Relations Program Dir. at NCJFCJ

John D. Etchemendy is the new director of the family violence and domestic relations program at the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ).

Etchemendy arrives at NCJFCJ after five years as executive director of Safe Embrace, a Nevada-based nonprofit which serves the survivors of domestic violence.

A veteran, Etchemendy got his start as an infantryman stationed in Berlin, Germany after the fall of the Berlin wall. After two years overseas, he would return and attend the University of New Orleans, earning a bachelor’s degree in management.

Etchemendy then enlisted in the Louisiana National Guard in 1994 and would ultimately serve for six years as a non-commissioned officer and manager of the battalion supply office. Going abroad once again, he found himself in China and South Korea over the next several years, where he taught English and helped manage a ReadingTown Language Institute.

After returning to the United States, Etchemendy worked as a contractor assisting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Not too long after, he returned to his education, attending the School for International Training and earning a master’s degree in conflict transformation with a focus on conflict and development.

Since completing his education, Etchemendy has worked in nonprofits and NGOs dealing with conflict resolution and community building as well as continuing his teaching as a professor.

Now, with the last several years of his career dominated by his exemplary leadership of Safe Embrace, Etchemendy brings a comprehensive portfolio of relevant experience as he joins NCJFCJ.

“It is exciting to add John to our team with his extensive knowledge and advocacy background in family violence and victim safety,” said NCJFCJ chief executive officer, Joey Orduna Hastings, in a press release about the appointment. “John joins our renowned and established Family Violence and Domestic Relations department and we are looking forward to leveraging his experience in the field to educate judicial officers, court professionals and law enforcement in best practices relating to the complex issues of domestic violence.”