April Supervisor Spotlight - Debra Parker

Posted By: Marsh Bills

DEBRA PARKER USES MANY TALENTS TO BUILD
AWARD-WINNING FELONY COLLECTIONS GROUP

When seeking a position with Dallas County in 1990, Debra Parker’s goal was to become a court coordinator, but she took an available position within the District Clerk’s Criminal Division as a felony cashier. While in that initial job, she received training in Bond Forfeiture. By the time a position as court coordinator became available, Debra had impressed her supervisors to the degree that she was promoted to Evidence Registrar and Assistant Process Supervisor.

In 1996, Debra was promoted to Protective Order Coordinator, a newly created position, and in late 1999, she was promoted to Felony Collection Coordinator, another newly created position.

Prior to joining the District Clerk’s office, Debra had spent several few years as a senior loan processor and dealing with many issues involving debt and collection, experience she credits with giving her confidence helping to build what has become an award-winning operations.

“I’ve become a coordinator, but not in the position I’d planned,” says Debra. “Building Felony Collections has been a challenge because there was doubt that fines and court costs could be collected from felons. But my staff has grown, along with the money we’ve collected, and we have shown that it can be done.”

As the mother of four children in school, Debra had left work as a reporter and editor in Ellis County to secure set hours and long-term benefits offered in Dallas County. Interviewing skills developed as a journalist have helped Debra in developing communications with colleagues as well as those from whom she and her staff collect the funds some once thought uncollectible. “I am grateful I had on-the-job communications experience before assuming all Dallas County positions, in which I’ve used and expanded that experience,” adds Debra.

Debra, who grew up in East Dallas, enjoys travel, reading and spending time with her seven grandchildren at her Midlothian home. She also sells Avon, which helps raise money for the Avon Foundation, created to improve lives of women and children around the world.

“In 2008, more than $1 million was raised for the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women and more than $2.5 million in additional funds went to local and global programs,” says Debra. As a former EMT and volunteer rape crisis counselor, Debra works continuously to support physical and mental health of women everywhere.

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