Office Leadership

Mike Holley, First Assistant District Attorney

As First Assistant District Attorney, Mike Holley oversees the daily operations of the office, including staff management and training, as well as preparation of the annual budget.

Before joining the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Mike served 13 years in the United States Army. He began his career as a Military Police Officer before being selected to attend law school. During his service, he worked as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney, both within and outside the United States. In 2004, he served as the Chief Prosecutor in the Abu Ghraib Detainee Abuse cases in Baghdad, Iraq. Mike then joined the faculty at the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he taught criminal law after completing his LL.M. Mike left the Army with the rank of Major and spent the next six years in private practice with the Lanier Law Firm in Houston.

Mike joined the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office in 2012, where he has served as a felony prosecutor and Chief of the Misdemeanor Division. He helped create the county’s Veterans Court, prosecuted Animal Cruelty cases, and served on the Vehicular Crimes call-out team. He also dedicates significant time to training new lawyers and law enforcement officers and has been a featured speaker at conferences across Texas and the nation. Mike has also written numerous articles on the profession of prosecution.

Promoted to First Assistant in 2016, Mike is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Bureau Chiefs

As Chief of the Trial Bureau, Kelly Blackburn oversees all prosecutors assigned to Montgomery County’s specialized divisions as well as its felony and misdemeanor trial courts, ensuring that every case is handled with skill, integrity, and a commitment to justice.

A graduate of Texas Tech University and South Texas College of Law, he began his career as a prosecutor with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office before serving as an Assistant United States Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice.

In 2010, Kelly brought his experience to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office as Chief Prosecutor of a District Court. Over the years, he has led several District Courts and the Office’s Public Integrity Unit, handling some of the most complex and high-stakes cases.

By 2014, he was promoted to Chief of the Trial Bureau, where he now supervises the prosecutors and staff across Montgomery County’s District, County, and Justice Courts.

Kelly is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

**Bill Delmore, Legal Services Bureau Chief**

With more than 30 years of experience as a prosecutor, Bill brings unmatched knowledge and skill to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. A proud graduate of the University of Texas and the University of Houston Law Center, Bill launched his career as a law clerk for the judges of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals — the state’s highest criminal court. He later served in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office as General Counsel, Chief of the Appellate Division, and Chief of the Legal Services Bureau.

Throughout his career, Bill has written more than 600 appellate briefs and represented the State of Texas before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Today, as Chief of the Legal Services Bureau in Montgomery County, Bill oversees the appellate section, manages petitions for expunction, responds to Public Information Act requests and civil discovery, and serves as special counsel to the District Attorney.

He is Board Certified in Criminal Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Investigators & Administration

With more than three decades of law enforcement experience, Chief Investigator Chris Smith stands at the forefront of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office investigative team. He directs a unit of twenty sworn peace officers whose work is vital to building strong cases, supporting law enforcement partners, and ensuring justice for victims.

Chris’s team is entrusted with locating and interviewing witnesses, assisting prosecutors in preparing cases for trial, collaborating with law enforcement agencies on major investigations, and conducting independent inquiries into officer-involved shootings.

A graduate of Sam Houston State University, Chris began his career as a patrol officer with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office before being promoted to Detective. After a decade of service with MCSO, he joined the District Attorney’s Office in 2002. Today, as a Master Peace Officer, Chris brings both expertise and leadership to every investigation while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity to ensure justice is served and public trust is protected throughout Montgomery County.

**Melisa Appleton, Director of Administration and Operations**

With more than 30 years of experience in county government, Melisa plays a vital role in keeping the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office running at its very best.

A graduate of Sam Houston State University, Melisa holds both a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Leadership, and Management, along with a Paralegal Certificate from the Southwestern Paralegal Institute.

As Director of Administration and Operations, Melisa leads the office’s administrative staff, legal assistants, and victim assistance coordinators, managing the daily operations that allow prosecutors and investigators to focus on achieving justice. Her dedication ensures victims receive the support they deserve and that the mission of the DA’s Office is carried out with excellence every day.