Special Agent in Charge David Cuthbertson

660 Mesa Hills Drive El Paso, TX 79912

To: El Paso Times

FBI recognizes community work

Each year, all FBI offices select one individual in their territory to receive the Director’s Community Leadership Award. The FBI recognizes individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, drugs and violence in America through this special award.

The El Paso Federal Bureau of Investigation presented its 2007 Director’s Leadership Award to Hector Zamora today for his service to this community.

“Mr. Zamora was nominated for this award because of his long-term efforts to help El Paso youth and adults, some of whom are in the criminal justice system, become more productive members of society,” said Special Agent in Charge David Cuthbertson.

Zamora has spent almost 30 years working in the El Paso criminal justice system. He has served as an assistant chief juvenile probation officer for the El Paso County Juvenile Probation Department, as an adult probation officer, court residential treatment center counselor and a personal recognizance bond technician. He currently provides sex offender therapy to court-ordered adult and juvenile offenders. But it is his work at Dismas Charities that has set him apart.

As director of the El Paso Dismas Charities, a halfway house for adult probationers and parolees, Zamora has implemented numerous programs that enhanced their goals. He was recognized by the El Paso County Juvenile Probation Department as the 2005 Provider of the Year for Project Dismas' presentations to juveniles. Project Dismas is an outreach program to youth that has utilized Dismas Charities' residents to discourage crime in more than 3000 area youth. Zamora has also implemented internship programs for area college criminal justice, social work and counseling majors to work with Dismas Charities.