FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (19-27)

CONTACT Laura Strimple/Chief of Staff

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov

May 23, 2019 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Forty-four staff members with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) have been honored for their outstanding service to the agency and its mission: Keep people safe.

“Each and every day, in a variety of ways big and small, NDCS team members demonstrate their leadership,” noted Director Scott R. Frakes. “This occasion is a public acknowledgement of a job well done – not just to the agency, but to our communities and the state as well.”

Awards were presented by Director Frakes in 12 different categories during a ceremony at the Lancaster Extension Education Center on May 17. The awards included: Team Members of the Year, Supervisors/Managers of the Year, Leadership, Community Service, In the Line of Duty, Outstanding Ambassador, Innovation, Customer Focus, One Team/One Vision, Excellence in Mentoring, Special Teams Member, and Partnership.

NDCS has recognized outstanding leaders within the agency since 1992. Criteria for each award varies and nominations are solicited from across NDCS. Director Frakes said one standout group of recipients was responsible for saving the life of a fellow co-worker this past December when that person experienced a heart episode during work.

“Working as a team, they were able to administer first aid as quickly as possible. It is something for which our staff trains on a frequent basis, but you never know when those skills will be put to the test. In this case, and for that particular teammate, it meant the difference between life and death.”

Director Frakes presented this year’s Partnership Award to President and CEO, Barry Carlson of the MidAmerica Speakers Bureau. Upon receiving the award, Carlson told the audience, “Every speaker who has presented at a prison facility has said the same seven words upon leaving, ‘I can’t wait to go back again!’”

The Partnership Award is presented to an outside organization that works with NDCS to provide meaningful program opportunities, with a focus on raising awareness and promoting the reintegration of offenders back into the community. Carlson estimated that since giving his first presentation to a group of women at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women (NCCW) in 2016, 36 speakers associated with the MidAmerica Speakers Bureau have appeared at eight of the 10 NDCS facilities. 

“The support provided by Barry and his team is deeply appreciated,” said Director Frakes. Those presentations not only entertain, but also inspire and motivate those who have an opportunity to see them.”

Awards were presented to teammates from the following NDCS facilities: Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP), Nebraska Correctional Center for Women (NCCW), Omaha Correctional Center (OCC), Lincoln Correctional Center (LCC), Diagnostic and Evaluation Center (DEC), Nebraska Correctional Center for Youth (NCYF), Community Corrections Center – Lincoln (CCC-L), Community Corrections Center – Omaha (CCC-O), and the Tecumseh State Correction Center (TSCI). Recipients also included representatives from the Staff Training Academy (STA) and the NDCS central office.

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List of 2019 NDCS Employee Recognition Award recipients

Team Members of the Year: Tracy Donovan, Unit Case Manager, CCC-L; Kristi Engel, Warehouse Operator, NCCW; Lesa Hanke, Officer, OCC/TSCI Special Detail; Austin LeCalsey, Corporal, OCC; JoAnn McDermott, Administrative Assistant, Central Office; Jason McNichols, Sergeant, LCC; Hannah Nelson, Corporal, NCYF; Zachary Ross, Corporal, NSP; Tiffany Seager, Corporal, DEC

Supervisors/Managers of the Year: Nicole Bayne, Business Manager, CCC-L; Lindsay Carroll, Unit Case Manager, CCC-O; Ronna Courtney, Unit Manager, OCC; Cody Eastman, Lieutenant, NSP; James Franzen, Lieutenant, LCC; Jacob Harkendorff, Lieutenant, TSCI; Troy Heath, Mental Health Practitioner Supervisor, LCC; Michael Kinney, Lieutenant, DEC; Rich Randazzo, Unit Administrator, DEC

Leadership Award: Jerry Pohlmann, Engineering Administrator, Central Office

Community Service Award: Jillian Boden, Vocational Teacher, NCCW

In the Line of Duty Award: James Bennett, Lieutenant, OCC;  Lisa Haussler, Staff Assistant, Staff Training Academy; Thomas Kavan, Corporal, DEC; Christopher Landers, Corporal, LCC; Susan Phinney, Training Specialist, Staff Training Academy; Ken Sturdy, Training & Development Manager, Staff Training Academy; Westley Thurman, Sergeant, NSP; Shayla Trausch, Unit Caseworker, NCCW

Outstanding Ambassador: Geri Knight, Religious Coordinator, NCYF

Innovation Award: Jaymie Clark, Administrative Assistant, NCYF

Customer Focused Award: Juan Jimenez, IT Business Systems Analyst, Central Office

One Team/One Vision Award: Michele Capps, Warden, NSP; Andrew Dzulynsky, Unit Case Manager, NSP; Dylan Eckery, Sergeant, NSP; Chris Gadeken, Process Improvement Supervisor, Central Office; James Jansen, Assistant Warden, DEC; Kathryn McIntosh, Unit Caseworker, NSP; Matthew Partida, Sergeant, NSP; Dylan Rowland, Corporal, NSP; Elizabeth Stegeman, Major, NSP; Uki Wolfe, Sergeant, NSP

Excellence in Mentoring Award: Bradley Schernikau, Canteen Operator, TSCI

Special Teams Member: Sharlene Most, Recreation Coordinator, NCCW

Partnership Award: Barry Carlson, President & CEO, MidAmerica Speakers Bureau