The Review Board is a talented group of judges, former prosecutors, medical professionals and experts who are committed to thoroughly and impartially completing the reviews with the assistance of investigators. The Board consists of nine voting members, including one priest and one deacon, and they function as an advisory body to Bishop Talley. Board members were selected because of their professional or work experience that enables them to provide insight and perspective.
The purpose of the Review Board is two-fold: First, to evaluate allegations of sexual misconduct by clerics involving minors and, secondly, to advise the Bishop as to appropriate steps and policies for the protection of children.
The following list are the names and background of each Review Board Member:
Memphis Diocesan Review Board Members:
Patrick Lawler is a charter member of the Review Board since its inception in 2002 and has been the Chair of the Board for the past 15 years. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Youth Villages, one of the largest private providers of services to troubled children and their families in the country. Youth Villages provides services to more than 30,000 youth in 90 locations across 20 states with 3,000 employees. Patrick’s career has been spent working with society’s most vulnerable children. He began as a counselor at Tall Trees Guidance School when he was 18 years old and then worked at the Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County for five years before becoming CEO of Youth Villages. Patrick has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice (1977) and a master’s in Counseling (1981) from the University of Memphis. He enjoys swimming, reading, biking and spending time with his wife, Ellen, daughter, son and grandsons.
Dr. Tina Burns has been a member of the Review Board since 2018. She has been a Family Practitioner in the Memphis area for 31 years. Dr. Burns is an active parishioner at the Catholic Church of the Incarnation in Collierville, Tenn., where she serves as a Sacristan and Eucharistic Minister. A single mother of two daughters, ages 28 and 30, she is also a member of the Order of Malta, Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem and the Catholic Medical Association. Her hobbies include gardening, needlework, music and reading.
John Campbell has been on the Review Board since 2019. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History (1980) and a Juris Doctorate (1983) from the University of Memphis. John is a husband and father. He began his legal career as an Assistant Public Defender and later served as an Assistant District Attorney General where he was the lead prosecutor in cases involving the abuse of children. In addition, John has taught around the country on trial advocacy and ethics.
Deacon Jeff Drzycimski has been on the Review Board since 2018. He is a permanent Deacon for the Diocese of Memphis, ordained in 2008 and assigned to St. Louis Catholic Church. Married for 32 years, Deacon Jeff and his wife, Bess, have nine children and one grandchild. He works as Assistant Principal for Faith and Mission at St. Benedict at Auburndale Catholic High School where he also teaches Theology. For ten years, Deacon Jeff has been the host of the nationally syndicated radio talk show The Catholic Café heard weekly on EWTN Radio, Relevant Radio and Guadalupe Radio network stations, as well as on iTunes and on the web at thecatholiccafe.com.
Father Carl Gregorich is the most recent appointee to the Review Board in the Fall 2020. He is a stepfather to three sons and a grandfather to three boys as well. Fr. Carl graduated from McKendree College, now University, in Lebanon, Ill., with a bachelor’s degree in Business. He also has a Master of Divinity from Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology in Franklin, Wis. Fr. Carl was ordained as a Priest for the Memphis Diocese in 2018.
Retired Judge John McCarroll, Jr. has been on the Review Board since 2015. He has practiced law with various firms in Memphis since graduating from law school in 1965. He retired in 2014 as a Circuit Court Judge. During his 20 years on the bench, Judge McCarroll heard many different types of cases, including family law cases. The most important issues in family law matters involve the protection of children in different situations. Judge McCarroll received his bachelor’s degree in 1962 and his Juris Doctor in 1965 from Vanderbilt University. He has been married for 57 years and has five children and 10 grandchildren, and he is parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi parish. Activities and honors include recipient of the Chancellor Charles A. Rond Outstanding Jurist Award, St. Thomas More Guild of Catholic Lawyers, Board of Directors and past board member/trustee Memphis University School.
Juanita Chism Richardson is a charter member of the Review Board since its inception in 2002. She has been a teacher and administrator in the Memphis City Schools and the Tunica County, Miss., schools for more than 43 years, and currently works as a Realtor with First National Realty, Inc. Juanita has been married for 51 years to Walter Richardson and is the mother of four. She graduated from University of Memphis with bachelor and master’s degrees, and attended University of Memphis Law School. Juanita is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and serves on the Pastoral Council. She is also a 4th Degree member of the Knights of St. Peter Claver, Ladies Auxiliary.
Joan Thomas has been on the Review Board since 2018. She grew up in Memphis and completed her bachelor’s degree in Nursing at Vanderbilt University and obtained her MSN/PhD from the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences. Joan has worked as a psychiatric nurse practitioner and mental health nurse educator. She also served as a faculty member of the Loewenberg College of Nursing where she created and spearheaded the Executive MSN Program. An active member of St. Louis Church, she is also a member of the Order of Malta and is currently focused on the development of a Guiding Star health facility. Joan has served on the boards of the Commission on Missing and Exploited Children, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Girls Inc., Junior League of Memphis, Restore Corps, Girls Against Porn, Youth Striving for Excellence, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Sigma Theta Tau and Alpha in Catholic Context.
Larry Wright has been on the Review Board since 2007. He and his wife, Mary, have been married for 43 years, and have eight children and 16 grandchildren. A parishioner at St. Michael Catholic Church, Larry holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Memphis. He is the President of Advertising Impact, specializing in business-to-business marketing and communications.
If you are a victim of sexual abuse, please contact your local law enforcement agency. Sexual abuse is a serious crime and must be treated as such. If you would like more information or are in need of assistance, please contact our Director of Child and Youth Protection at (901) 359-2027.