November 2021

newsletter of the administrative office of pa courts

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania recognizes the 

contributions of jurists, court staff and their families 

who have served in the United States military and 

who continue to serve in the Pennsylvania Judiciary.

1

Judge Craig Trebilcock
York County

Judge Daniel Wallace
Mercer County

•  Graduated from West Point in 1988
•  Served from 1988 - 1992
•  Deployed for combat during Operation Desert Storm

•  Served as a JAG officer from 1988 - 2018
•  Retired in 2018 after 30 years of service
•  Stationed in West Germany
•  Deployments to the Balkans in 1997, Iraq in 2003, Congo 
2012 - 2013 and deployment from the bench 2015 - 2016 
to Afghanistan

“Military service has made me a better judge, as it taught me 
to not take for granted the rule of law that characterizes our 
system of justice. A system like ours where legal outcomes 
are based purely on law and facts, rather than favoritism, 
discrimination, bias and bribery is a rarity in the world.”

Judge Christopher Kalacinski
Potter County

•  Served as a U.S. Army Military Police Officer and 

Investigator from 2008 - 2016

•  Stationed at Schofield, Hawaii 2008 - 2013
•  Deployed to Afghanistan from 2012 - 2013

Judge Tom Burke
Luzerne County

•  Served from 1969 - 1971
•  Deployed to Vietnam 1970 - 1971
•  Rank: Specialist 5
•  Unit: Medical Command
•  Received the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service

Senior Judge Robert Mazzoni
Lackawanna County 

•  Served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1970 - 1976
•  Rank: E4

2

Judge Daniel McCaffery 
Philadelphia County

Judge Mark Martin
Cumberland County

•  Served on active duty from 1983 - 1986
•  Joined the Army at 18 years old and proudly served 

with the 1st Cavalry Division

•  Selected to attend West Point Prep 
•  Served in the Army Reserves in the 304th Military 

Intelligence Unit from 1987 - 1989 

•  Retired as a Colonel after 30 years of service
•  Served in active and reserve duty from 1985 - 2015
•  Served as infantry officer during nine years active duty
•  Military Police and civil affairs assignments during  

21 years reserve time

•  Stationed three and one half years in West Germany 

during the end of the Cold War and was there when the 
wall came down

•  Served in the Global War on Terrorism, deploying twice  

to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan

“My military service and years abroad has significantly shaped 
and refined my world view, as I have had the opportunity to 
learn about and interact with people from dozens of cultures 
throughout the world, from regions such as Central America and 
Europe, to the Middle East.  I believe that my experiences with 
people from so many diverse groups have helped me to better 
relate to those from other countries who have business in my 
court, and hopefully put them at ease while in my court.”

President Judge Edward Reibman
Lehigh County

•  Served in the U.S. Army Reserves from  

1969 - 1975

•  Served as a Drill Sergeant

Senior Judge James Gardner Colins 
Superior Court

•  Served in the U.S. Army Reserves for eight years 
•  Honorably discharged with the rank of Captain in 1983
•  Assigned to various civil affairs units during his service 

3

Judge Thomas Gehret
Philadelphia Municipal Court

•  Served as Corporal in the U.S. Army 
•  Stationed in Vietnam 1971 - 1972, serving in Qui Nhon, 

Phu Bai, Cam Ranh Bay and Long Binh

“While I opposed the war, I felt it was my duty to serve. Military 
services instills discipline and a sense of accomplishment which 
can benefit you in any future career.”

Judge Daniel Bowman
Adams County

Judge Leonard G. Brown, III
Lancaster County

•  Retired in 2019 after 28 years of service
•  Served during his early years as an airborne combat 

•  Transitioned to the Army Reserve Judge Advocate 

engineer

General’s Corp (JAG)

in Stuttgart, Germany

•  Ended career working with the U.S. Africa Command 

•  Joined the Army at 17 years old in 1969
•  Served in Vietnam as a Sgt. E-5 with 9th Inf.,  

25th Inf. and E Troop 17 Cav. 173 Airborne Brigade
•  He was motivated to serve by the service of his 

father, seven uncles and two aunts who served in 
World War II

•  He believes that his Catholic education and the 

words of President John F. Kennedy inspired him to 
serve: “And so, my fellow Americans-ask not what 
your country can do for you-ask what you can do for 
your country. My fellow citizens of the world-ask not 
what America will do for you but what together we 
can do for the freedom of man.”

“I have learned to never discount anyone. Everyone has 
strong and weak points. Work with whomever you have to 
deal with, form a relationship in a joint effort towards the 
goal you seek. Be fair, be civil but don’t be afraid to use any 
tools that you need to make good and fair decisions.”

Judge Cateria R. McCabe
Philadelphia County

•  Enlisted (Civil Affairs units with various military 

occupational specialties (MOS)) 

•  JAG officer

Judge Michael H. Sholley
Snyder and Union Counties

•  Served in the Military Police Corp from 1975 - 1978
•  Commissioned a Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Infantry 1981
•  Served in the National Guard and Reserves as an Infantry, 
Armor and JAG officer until 1995 and resigned as a Major

Judge Craig Stedman
Lancaster County

•  Captain 
•  Military Intelligence
•  1986 - 1994

4

President Judge Patrick Dugan
Philadelphia Municipal Court

Judge Matthew Wolf
Philadelphia Municipal Court

•  Joined the Army in 1981 
•  Reenlisted in 2003 after a 14-year break in response 

to 9/11 attacks

•  Served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Panama and South Korea

“I felt that it was my duty to go back and assist in our war 
on terrorism. My military service is who I am. The military 
instilled in me the confidence to do anything, to do what 
is conceived as impossible. My military background has 
assisted me greatly every day on the bench; the leadership 
taught in the Airborne Infantry is guiding me in leading 
Philadelphia Municipal Court as President Judge. I have been 
able to continue to assist my fellow service-members as I lead 
a dedicated team in Veterans Courts. I am blessed to be in the 
position I am today – and the road I traveled is who I am.”

•  Joined the Army Reserves at age 35 in 2003
•  Deployed to Iraq in 2006 and Afghanistan in 2008
•  In Afghanistan, he served as the Rule of Law adviser to 
the sole lawyer overseeing the Afghan National Police 

•  In February 2020, Judge Wolf transferred from being 
a Major (O-4) in the United States Army Reserve to 
Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron - 104 Cavalry Regiment, 28th 
Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, 
and enlisted in that unit as a Specialist (E-4)  

•  In June of 2020 he served for a period of time on 

State Active Duty dealing with civil unrest in the City 
of Philadelphia, stationed mostly in the Kensington 
neighborhood of Philadelphia  

•  Completed his MOS transition course from 27A to 19D 

(Cavalry Scout) in September 2020  

•  Continues to drill monthly and perform Annual Training 

at Fort Indiantown Gap

“The Army has enriched my life. The first big thing the Army 
teaches you is about doing things for more than just yourself. 
You think of others. There’s no place for ego. Leadership comes 
from that. You have the back of your fellow soldiers and they 
have yours. As a judge, you continue to work as a team with 
the staff, the parties, attorneys and witnesses to achieve 
justice. It is a wonderful thing if it works right and just like the 
Army, justice is not about me being the judge, it is about being 
a member of a team. A judge is like a high-ranking officer and 
that judge has to guide people through a challenge. It is about 
ensuring a fair process and a fair result.”

John M. Skocik
AOPC

•  1988 - 1994
•  72G MOS Telecommunications TSSBI
•  Basic - FT. Jackson, SC.  Squad Leader
•  AIT - Signal Corps Ft. Gordon, GA
•  Combat Support Coordination Team #3 -  

Camp Yongin, South Korea 

•  US ARMY Criminal Investigation Division Command - 

FT. Holabird, MD 

5

Senior Judge Michael Dunlavey 
Erie County

Judge Matthew P. Smith
Cumberland County

•  Entered active duty in the Army serving in Germany and 
Vietnam and joined the Army Reserve during law school
•  Commanded soldiers at multiple levels and was selected 
as Deputy Commanding General (DCG) of the Army’s 
Intelligence and Security Command and the Army’s 
Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff (CoS) for Intelligence

•  Promoted to Major General and chosen by NSA Director, 
Mike Hayden, to be his assistant at NSA headquarters

•  Recalled to active duty after 9/11 and was chosen by 
Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, in 2002 to 
create and establish an interrogation system and center 
at Guantanamo Bay

•  Concluded his distinguished military career in April 

of 2004, following a tour at the CIA as the Associate 
Director for Homeland Security

•  Colonel – Pa Army National Guard 
•  Currently the State Staff Judge Advocate 
•  Served in the military for over 26 years in various 
positions such as Ammunition Platoon Leader, 
Intelligence Officer, Instructor, Trial Counsel and Deputy 
Staff Judge Advocate

•  Deployed overseas three times, once each to 

Nicaragua, Iraq and Kuwait

•  Performed temporary duty at The United States 

Embassy in Kuwait and interacted with his counterparts 
in the Kuwaiti, Saudi Arabian and Jordanian militaries  
•  Awards include the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, 

Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit 
Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, Combat Action Badge, 
and Airborne and Air Assault Badges, amongst others  

Daniel Ceisler 
Son of Judge Ellen Ceisler, Commonwealth Court

Judge Wade Kagarise
Blair County

•  Deployed to Afghanistan once
•  Deployed twice to the Pentagon to assist the Army 
with regards to military issues and needs related to 
the COVID-19 crisis and then to address domestic 
civil unrest

•  Served as an Army Reserve Infantryman  

from 1990 - 1996

•  Completed basic training and infantry school at  

Fort Benning, Georgia

“My military service was the initiation of a lifelong 
commitment to public service.  I urge young adults to consider 
military service as a way to give back to our country or 
alternatively to find other ways to serve their communities.”

6

Daryl Walker
AOPC

Rich Long
Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania

•  1980 - 2012
•  JAG
•  Served in Grenada for war claims investigations, and 

Frankfurt, Germany as a Military Magistrate

•  Retired as a Colonel in the Army Reserve 
•  Served from 1989 - 2019
•  Deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, 2005 - 2006
•  Commanded 16th Legal Operations Detachment, 

•  Retired in 2012 with more than 31 years of service

Fort Hamilton, NY

Jake Presley 
AOPC

Josh Albright
AOPC

•  Operation Iraqi Freedom – December 2004 to 

November 2005

•  Operation Iraqi Freedom – March 2007 to May 2008
•  Operation Enduring Freedom – November 2009 to 

•  2000 - 2006 
•  Fire Direction Specialist: MOS 13D in B-Btry 1/108th Field 

Artillery, Waynesboro and Chambersburg 

•  Forward Observer: MOS 13F  HHB 1/108th Field Artillery, 

November 2010

Carlisle PA

Suzanne M. Creavey 
Pa. Supreme Court Rules Committee

•  1981 - 1983

Daniel A. Durst
Pa. Supreme Court Rules Committee

•  1989 - 1993
•  Medic

7

John Witherow 
Pa. Supreme Court

•  1984 - 1991

Judge James Deleon 
Philadelphia County

•  Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in May, 1970
•  Served until May, 1985  
•  Resigned as a Army Captain of Engineers

Senior Judge D. Webster Keogh 
Philadelphia County

SSG Nicholas A Rangos
Son of Judge Jill Rangos, Allegheny County 

•  Active duty special forces 
•  Currently deployed

Rich Ammons
AOPC

•  2003 - 2004

Sheyla Street
Daughter of Judge Sierra Thomas Street, 
Philadelphia County

8

Luke Brown
Son of Judge Leonard Brown, Lancaster County

Nathaniel Jones, Jr.
Son of Judge Lucretia Clemons, Philadelphia County

•  Sophomore Cadet at West Point majoring in mechanical 

•  Currently in his third year at West Point

engineering

9

Judge Jeff Conrad
Lancaster County

•  Served from 1985 - 1990
•  Rank: First Lieutenant

Steven L. Yeager 
AOPC

•  1982 - 1986

“Serving my country as a United States Marine Corps Officer 
was a dream come true. As a child, I met an uncle of mine who 
was a Marine and his walk, talk and bearing was different; 
he moved with confidence and took life in stride. The training I 
received as a Marine helped me to realize that the human body 
is made to do so much more than we think and that groups 
of hard-charging Americans infused with esprit de corps, 
and God’s blessing, can conquer any enemy. Civilian world 
translation: there is no problem too big to handle.”

Judge David Howells
Lehigh County

•  Served from 1977 - 1983 
•  Presidential Security Marine for President Carter 

stationed at Camp David

Judge Michael Thatcher
Allegheny County

•  Graduated from the Naval Academy in 2006
•  Served as a U.S. Marine Corps Infantry Officer for 13 years
•  Deployed to Afghanistan in 2008 and 2010 in Helmand 

Province with 1st Battalion 6th Marine Regiment

•  Served as Company Commander for Kilo Company 3rd 
Battalion 25th Marine Regiment, a reserve unit based in 
Pittsburgh

•  Currently the Battalion Executive Officer for 3rd Battalion 

25th Marine Regiment

Mark Franklin
AOPC

•  1984 - 1987

10

Judge Lee Grimes
Delaware County

•  2005 - 2010
•  Specialty: Infantry
•  Deployment: Iraq

Judge James Anthony
Lehigh County

•  Commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine
  Corps Reserve in August 1981 through the PLC Program  
•  Served on active duty from January 1984 - January 

1987, including a deployment to Okinawa

•  Served in the Selected Marine Corps Reserve 

beginning January 1988  

•  Returned to active duty from June 2004 - June 

2005, and from September 2006 - September 2007, 
including two deployments to Iraq

•  Retired at the rank of colonel in March 2009

Leo Zuvich
AOPC

•  1984 - 1990
•  United States Marine Corps Reserve  

(North 2nd St in Harrisburg)

•  Corporal 
•  Company “E” 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines, 

4th Marine Division

James Mundy
Son of Justice Sallie Updyke Mundy

11

Senior Judge David Klementik 
Somerset County 

Judge Cheryl Austin
Montgomery County

•  Served as a Captain 
•  Served six years active duty, 20 years reserve
•  Flew the A-6 Intruder aboard the USS Forrestal for two 

deployment cruises with over 200 carrier landings

•  Retired as a Captain
•  Served for 24 years–seven active duty and 17 in Reserves
•  Entered the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps in its first 
class of women while she was an undergraduate student 
at Northwestern University

Judge Tim Kreiger
Westmoreland County

•  Served active duty USN 1985 - 1989, USNR 1989 - 1991
•  Served as a Surface Warfare Officer on the  

USS Penscola (LSD-38) 

•  Deployed to Mediterranean twice as part of Marine 

Amphibious Ready Group (MARG)  

•  Spent four months at Guantanamo, Cuba   

Judge Miles Bixler
Lancaster County

•  Served from 1976 - 1981
•  Rank: Hull Technician 1st Class
•  Made four deployments aboard the aircraft carrier 

USS Saratoga to the Mediterranean Sea

Judge Daniel Davis
Mercer County

•  Served in the Navy Reserves for 24 years

Judge Michael McCarthy
Allegheny County

•  Served as a Combat Engineer with the Navy Seabees 
•  Received the Navy Combat Badge and a Bronze Star
•  Deployed to Vietnam from 1970 - 1971

12

Steve Sondheimer 
AOPC

Judge Anthony Ceoffe
Allegheny County

•  1980 - 1987
•  U.S. Navy - Data Systems Technician 3rd Class
•  Served aboard USS America (CV-66)
•  Stationed at Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut

•  Petty Officer Second Class (Communications)
•  1979 - 1985
•  Served aboard the USNS Marias an Oiler that refueled 
ships destined for an attempt to rescue the hostages 
held in Iran

•  Later served aboard the USS Charleston, an amphibian 
cargo and assault ship that participated in the Granada 
Campaign

•  Entered service two months prior 18th Birthday.
•  Traveled to over 32 countries on three different 

continents 

Jennifer A. Eichenlaub
AOPC

•  Served as Seaman (E-3) at the Career Counselor Office 

•  Stationed at Naval Auxiliary Landing Field San Clemente 

from 1995 - 1997

Island, California

•  Recipient of the National Defense Service Medal

Commander Ryan Q. Miller
Son of Judge Charles Miller, Schuylkill County

•  Attached to the Carl Vinson Strike Group 
•  Home base San Diego, California 
•  Currently deployed in the Pacific Ocean

13

Judge Richard Thomas
York County

•  Retired as Lieutenant
•  Stationed on the USS John Marshall (SSN-611) 

submarine in the early 1980s

•  Served as a nuclear trained submarine officer during 

the Cold War

•  Mission was to observe and monitor Soviet submarines 
and ships in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean 
Sea while remaining undetected

“Being in the military shapes you for a lifetime; it certainly 
did for me. You learn discipline, but more importantly, you 
learn to take responsibility for your actions.”

Aaron Francisco
Son of Angela Butler, AOPC

•  ACAN (Air Traffic Controller Airman)
•  Enlisted in 2019
•  Boot camp – Dec. 3, 2019; graduated Feb. 7, 2020 
•  Graduated A-School approx. October 2020 after a 

few hurricane-related delays in training

•  Currently in active service 

Lt. Hobart King Kistler (deceased)
Son of Senior Judge Thomas Kistler, Centre County

•  Attended the U.S. Naval Academy 
•  Graduated in 2013
•  Served his country on the USS Louisville submarine 

and the carrier USS JF Kennedy

•  Killed on April 30, 2021, and is buried at Arlington 

National Cemetery 

14

•  Retired from PA Air National Guard as Brigadier General  

•  Served in the U.S. Air Force Military Police Corps 

Judge Timothy Rowley
Berks County

from 1974 - 1980

Judge James Lillis
Berks County

after serving in the Guard and U.S. Air Force from  
1974 - 2004

•  Served five years active duty as Minuteman Missile Crew 

Commander

•  Deployed as a NATO Commander for Operations Allied 

Force during the Kosovo conflict and for Operation 
Decisive Endeavor, Bosnia-Herzegovina

•  Served as Vice Commander, 193d Special Operations 

Wing, Middletown, during Operation Enduring Freedom 
and Operation Iraqi Force

Senior Judge Allan Tereshko
Philadelphia County

•  Served from 1963 - 1967

Judge Dean R. Patton
Berks County

•  1973 - 1977 
•  509th Security Police  Pease AFB, NH 
•  36th Security Police  Bitburg AFB, Germany
•  U.S. Army National Guard from 1983 - 1984  
•  1028th MP Squadron, Hamburg, PA

Judge Daniel Trexler
Lehigh County

•  1987 - 1990 
•  Aerospace ground equipment mechanic, Macdill AFB 

Tampa, Fl.

15

Bruce J. Ferguson 
Pa. Supreme Court Rules Committee

•  1981 - 1985

Mark Whitworth
AOPC

•  1981 - 1985

Mike Sponsler
AOPC

•  1977 - 1981

Brian Darbrow
AOPC

•  1992 - 1999 

Jennifer Love
AOPC

•  1999 - 2001 
•  Stationed in Los Angeles, California 
•  Served as a Medical Assistant

AOPC/Communications thanks the judges, 

staff and family featured in this issue for 

responding to requests for information 

about their military service.

16

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