LAKE CHARLES – McNeese graduate and former Cowboy baseball player William "Bill" Sommers has been appointed as the new deputy secretary of the Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice by Gov. John Bel Edwards.
 
Sommers will replace Edward "Dusty" Bickham who is currently serving as the interim secretary and will return to the Louisiana Dept. of Corrections. 
 
"I want to commend both Bill and Dusty for their willingness to serve our state," said Gov. Edwards. "I'm grateful to Dusty for stepping in to help without hesitation, and I look forward to working with Bill who has more than 30 years working in the juvenile justice system. His leadership, experience and skills will be vital as our state continues to address the needs of our juveniles and the additional challenges presented by COVID-19."    
 
Sommers began his career in law enforcement in 1984 with the Lake Charles Police Department and has served in the Calcasieu Parish Office of Juvenile Justice Services for 33 years and the last six as the director of OJJS.     
 
He played baseball at McNeese before earning his degree in criminal justice in 1984.
 
His son, Billy, played for the Cowboys from 2013-15 and earned All-Southland Conference honors his junior season after he hit .293 on the year then forewent his senior season to train and serve in the United States Secret Service after earning his degree in criminal justice and served as part of President Donald Trump's security detail following the 2016 election and is currently employed with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Department.
 
"First, I would like to thank Governor Edwards and his administrative team for this opportunity to lead OJJ," said Sommers. "I have been working in juvenile justice for the past 33 years, and I am a true believer in juvenile justice reform. This is not just a job but it is a calling. It is my belief that children involved in the justice system should be afforded every opportunity to be healthy, happy, and successful. We, as system stakeholders, need to provide that opportunity by giving children and families our best thinking, our best resources, and our best services. I look forward to meeting with Deputy Secretary Bickham and the rest of the OJJ team as I transition." 
 
Sommers will begin September 7, 2020.