Citizen Board Commissioners

Edward Fallone, Chair

Commissioner Fallone was appointed to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners and elected Chair in July, 2021. A longtime member of the Marquette University Law School faculty and the Milwaukee legal community, Commissioner Fallone is an honors graduate of Boston University and Boston University Law School. Throughout his career as a legal advisor and professor, Commissioner Fallone has written and spoken extensively on matters of constitutional law, immigration law, and business law, amongst other topics. In addition to his full-time position at Marquette University Law School, where he has taught since 1992, Commissioner Fallone is a proud and dedicated member of Milwaukee’s community, having served on the Board of Directors of Voces de la Frontera, as a mentor with the Latino Nonprofit Leadership Program at UWM, as the president of the Latino Community Center, and as a member of the Latino Advisory Committee for Public Television Channels 10 and 36.

Email: efallon@milwaukee.gov

Phone: 414-708-6823

Everett Cocroft, Vice-Chair

Commissioner Cocroft appointed to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners in January, 2019. Commissioner Cocroft is a retired City of Milwaukee Fire Lieutenant with over thirty-two (32) years of dedicated service. Commissioner Cocroft is an experienced Fire Service Leader whose professional responsibility extends into areas of community service, public relations, public education, public speaking, mentoring, motivational leadership and decision making. Commissioner Cocroft is competent and knowledgeable in all phases of Fire Service Management with a specific expertise in recruitment and assessment training. Commissioner Cocroft has been a member of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters since 1980 and has served as President of the Milwaukee Brotherhood of Firefighters from 2011 - 2015. Commissioner Cocroft desires to assist the city of Milwaukee by meeting the needs, expectations and aspirations of the citizens it serves.

Email: Everett.Cocroft@milwaukee.gov

Phone: 414-708-4262

“All That I Am I Owe...I Live Eternally In The Red”

Amanda Avalos

Commissioner Avalos was appointed to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners in January 2021. She is currently the Senior Civic Engagement Director at Leaders Igniting Transformation. Avalos is a graduate of Marquette University, the Emerge Wisconsin program, the Harvard Business School Young American Leaders Program, and Public Allies (twice). She is a co-Founder of Milwaukee Beautiful, a Legal Observer for the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin, and an activist committed to seeing Milwaukee thrive.   

Email: amaval@milwaukee.gov

Phone: 414-708-0964

Joan Kessler

Commissioner Kessler was appointed to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners in July, 2021. An honors graduate of the University of Kansas and Marquette University Law School, Commissioner Kessler practiced law for more than 35 years prior to her appointment to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District 1, in 2004. She retired, following 16 years on the bench, in 2020. Deeply committed to the legal profession, Commissioner Kessler co-founder the Lawyers Association for Women, served as the President of the Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association, and served as Chair of the Wisconsin Bar Association Board of Governors. Commissioner Kessler brings a wealth of community service experience to the FPC, having served on the board of the Milwaukee Chapter of the ACLU and the Milwaukee Women’s Club’s Race, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Kessler and her husband, Fred, have also established a scholarship to help graduates of Milwaukee Public Schools access the high quality educational opportunities offered by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. When not serving her profession and her community, Commissioner Kessler enjoys spending time with her family, especially her four grandchildren.

Email: jkessle@milwaukee.gov

Phone: 414-708-6539

Fred Crouther, D.Min

Commissioner Crouther was appointed to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners in May, 2015.  He is the founding Pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church, where he has been preaching, teaching, and shepherding for over 35 years.  Under his leadership and direction, the church has undertaken a number of projects and programs aimed at community improvement and citizen empowerment, including a credit union and housing development corporation.  Commissioner Crouther completed his undergraduate studies at Alcorn A&M University (formerly Alcorn A&M College) in Lorman, Mississippi and the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree.  He also earned a Master's Degree in Religious Studies and a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Strategic Leadership from Faith Seminary in Tacoma, Washington.  Commissioner Crouther has served as President of the Wisconsin General Baptist State Convention, Inc., 2nd Vice-President of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., Treasurer of the Board of Directors for OIC-GM, and Chairman of the Community Safety Coalition among other board and leadership appointments.  He is a life member of the NAACP and has received a number of awards for his community involvement and leadershp both locally and nationally.  Commissioner Crouther has the credentials of a seasoned corporate executive and the humble, caring heart of a servant.  A combination not often seen or easily duplicated.

Email: Fred.Crouther@milwaukee.gov

Phone: 414-708-6035

LaNelle Ramey

Commissioner Ramey was appointed to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners in July, 2021.  A dynamic and inspirational leader, Commissioner Ramey comes to the FPC with a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from Marquette University and significant experience serving the Milwaukee community.  He was instrumental in the creation of the Department of Black and Latino Male Achievement within Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), supported the African American Leadership Program at Cardinal Stritch University, and lead a $2 million Academic and Healthy Sports Initiative that provides academic support, career exploration, athletics, and service learning to 2000 members annually with Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee.  Since 2019, Commissioner Ramey has served as the Executive Director of MENTOR Greater Milwaukee, where he has focused his attention on preparing and equipping mentoring organizations to provide quality and effective mentoring to young people throughout Greater Milwaukee.  He also served as an Adjunct Professor at Cardinal Stritch University and most recently was a founding board member of the Inaugural Milwaukee Health Board.

Email: laramey@milwaukee.gov

Phone: 414-708-3343