2022 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Keynote Address

Chairman James White

State Representative James White is a native Texan born in Houston, TX. He attended Houston ISD public schools before graduating with honors from Prairie View A&M University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. In addition, he completed his doctorate in political science at the University of Houston. In 1986, the United States Congress commissioned Rep. White as an officer of Infantry in the U.S. Army. His service included an assignment with the Berlin Brigade from 1987-90 during the demise of the Soviet Union. After leaving the Army with an Honorable Discharge in 1992, Rep. White began a career as a public school educator in the Houston area. He continued his teaching career in Fort Bend, Livingston, and Woodville independent school districts. He taught United States history, Texas history, and geography at the secondary level. Rep. White also taught U.S. Government and Economics at the collegiate and high school levels. Rep. White coached high school football, basketball, and soccer and officiated youth sports.

Rep. White was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2010. Throughout his tenure in the Legislature, Rep. White has been a strong advocate for the residents of District 19 and is committed to ensuring the people of Hardin, Jasper, Newton, Polk, and Tyler counties are well represented in the State Legislature. Currently, Rep. White serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety and sits on the Corrections, Redistricting, and Constitutional Rights & Remedies committees. He has previously served on the County Affairs, Agriculture and Livestock, Human Trafficking, Juvenile Justice and Family Issues, Emerging Issues in Law Enforcement, Transportation Planning, Mental Health, International Trade & Intergovernmental Affairs, Opioid & Substance Abuse, Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence, and Driver's License Issuance & Renewal committees.

Rep. White and his wife, Gem, reside in Tyler County where he is a businessman and author. He attends and worships at Hillister Baptist Church. Additionally, he is an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and the Texas Farm Bureau.

Taking Down the Real Sopranos | How an Undercover Officer Infiltrated a New Jersey Mafia Family

Giovanni Rocco

Giovanni is a retired law enforcement officer and federal covert operative with more than thirty years of service and training experience. He is the author of “Giovanni’s Ring: My life Inside the Real Sopranos” in which details the years he spent as an FBI undercover agent inside the American mafia.

He contributes to the development of mental health and rehabilitation programs designed to engage and strengthen the resiliency of our nation’s law enforcement community. The insight and strategies Giovanni shares in his lectures and trainings were acquired through years of exemplary service with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

As a decorated investigator, a subject matter expert, as well as a husband of a law enforcement investigator and father, Giovanni brings a realistic outlook and insightful understanding as to what officers are experiencing in today’s work environment and the solution focused steps needed to resolve the inner conflicts prohibiting some in attaining maximum personal performance.