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January 2, 2012 . . . Part-time Residential Officers Ed Wilson and Roy Balbort, of the Burlington Residential Facility, mark their five-year anniversaries with the Eighth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services. Ed has proven to be a steadying influence in his time at the facility. His computer savvy is greatly appreciated. His dependability and consistency are assets to the team. Roy has brought pride in performance to the job every day he has worked during his service. His humor is infectious. There is never a doubt that things will go according to the rules and regulations when Roy is on the schedule.

November 16, 2011 . . . Residential Officer Mike Koval has reached the 30-year service mark with the District and he remains passionate about enforcing the policies and procedures of the Burlington Residential Facility, as they are written and intended. In addition, Mike is an invaluable member of the BRF team with his knowledge of all things computer related and his expertise in security threat group identification, which is shared throughout the state and often with other areas of the country.

October 21, 2011 . . . Burlington Residential Officer Mike Knotts and PPO III Mark Smith are corecipients of the semiannual Day In/Day Out Award for their service to the District. Mike "firmly controls the operations of the day shift at BRF. In the absence of two longtime coworkers, he has drawn on his 33 years of experience and performed all the tasks unique to the shift, while also training several new staff members. Mike continues to act as the safety officer and maintenance/repairman for the facility as well. He is relied upon for a multitude of tasks at the facility and he has met those challenges on a daily basis," District Director Dan Fell said. Mark is recognized for his work in the Sex Offender Treatment Program. "In his four years with the District, Mark has shown continued excellence in balancing supervision and treatment. He often goes the extra mile to help an offender, while at the same time he understands the importance of accountability. Mark thoughtfully weighs those principles and focuses on public safety when making decisions. His ideas and input, as well as his dedication to the team, make him worthy of this award," Fell said.

September 21, 2011 . . . The Eighth District Judicial Department of Correctional Services held its 2011 Employee Recognition Day September 21. Director Daniel T. Fell announced that Administrative Officer Cathy Leedom was named Manager of the Year and PPO III Kurt Rosenberg was acknowledged as Employee of the Year. PPO I Candace Collins was named Newcomer of the Year. The Team Excellence Award went to the staff of the Ottumwa Residential Facility. Staff members recognized for not using any sick leave during the last fiscal year included first-time recipients Sandy Arendt, Jennifer Brereton and Stacy VanAntwerp; two-time awardees Ann Auge, Jack Baker, Ted Gutman, Adam Humble, Ted Robinson, Sally Rodeffer, Kurt Rosenberg and Tim Snyder; three-time recipient Mike Schakel; and four-time winner Gary Peitz.

August 10, 2011 . . . Jon Klodt celebrates his fifth anniversary with the Eighth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services. Jon started his career as a part-time residential officer at the Ottumwa Residential Facility in August of 2006. He was promoted to full time in 2008. Jon's dedication to the facility, his co-workers, and the citizens of Iowa is evidenced by his superior work ethic, his constant security vigilance, his genuine concern for our mission, and the success of our clientele. "Everything he does," Residential Manager Donn Bruess said, "helps all of us work towards achieving our goal of an Iowa with no more victims."

July 9, 2011 . . . Jeanne Davis marks her 20th anniversary with the Eighth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services. Jeanne began working as a secretary in the Keokuk probation and parole office and continues with those duties today. Jeanne is a very dependable worker who consistently goes above and beyond the expectations of her position and is always willing to assist where needed. She is extremely pleasant to work with. A lifelong resident of Keokuk, Jeanne resides with her husband, Don. They have two children, Donnie and Katie, and two grandchildren.

May 13, 2011 . . . Ann Auge celebrates 30 years of service with the Eighth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services. Ann began her career in corrections in 1981 as a residential officer at the Burlington Residential Facility. In 1981, she was assigned to the Fort Madison probation office to conduct pretrial interviews and to write presentence investigation reports. She was promoted to probation officer in 1986 and returned to writing presentence investigations in 2001. Ann presently writes presentence investigation reports for Lee, Henry, Jefferson, Washington & Van Buren Counties. Ann and her husband of 24 years, Gary, live in Fort Madison and have one son, Aaron, who is a high school senior this year.

April 26, 2011 . . . Probation/Parole Officer III Sandy Arendt reaches the 20-year service mark with the Eighth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services. Sandy is instrumental in managing the day-to-day operations of the Ottumwa Adult Drug Court. She is very passionate about her job and truly cares about her clients. Her keen sense of treatment has proven invaluable over the years in working with clients struggling to overcome addictions.

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April 15, 2011 . . . Probation/Parole Officer III Kelly Price, of Ottumwa, is awarded the Eighth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services Day In / Day Out Performer Award. This biannual award recognizes exceptional staff members in the field of community based corrections. A member of the District's Sex Offender Treatment Program, Price was cited for consistently going the extra mile to help offenders, while at the same time maintaining the delicate balance between supervision and treatment. Director Daniel T. Fell stated, "Officer Price has a can-do attitude and she continually does more than asked to ensure that our operations run smoothly." Price has been a District employee since 1999.

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March 1, 2011 . . . Probation Parole Officer III Dustin Briscoe, of Keokuk, was awarded a master of public administration degree from Upper Iowa University. The MPA program provides scholars with the knowledge and skills needed to assume a leadership role and to improve administrative and managerial quality in government. Briscoe currently facilitates the District’s Drug Court Program in Fort Madison.

January 13, 2011 . . . Probation/Parole Officer II Vickie Higgins began employment with the Eighth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services on January 13, 1986 as a probation/parole officer in the Burlington office where she is still assigned today. In addition to supervising regular probation and parole cases, Vickie is also responsible for cases assigned to the minimum supervision program. As a member of the Eighth District Training Committee, she assists in the training of new probation/ parole officers. A graduate of Western Illinois University where she earned both bachelor of science and master of arts degrees, Vickie resides in Burlington with her husband, Charles, who recently retired as assistant superintendent of the Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility.

December 14, 2010 . . . Ottumwa Probation/Parole Supervisor Sue Boggs was awarded the Iowa Department of Administrative Services' Applied Management Certificate. The program includes essential management concepts and applications relating to various human resources policies and procedures, leadership skills, enhanced communication abilities, and quality initiatives.     

November 14, 2010 . . . Supervisor Vince Remmark is congratulated for his five years of service with the Eighth District. His work with the High Risk Unit, and now as a probation parole supervisor/treatment service coordinator, has been outstanding. Vince also represents the District at the state level on the important area of offender re-entry. Vince’s willingness to take projects assigned “head on” has made him a valuable part of the leadership team.          

November 14, 2010 . . . Probation/Parole Officer II Tim Snyder marks five years of service with the District.  Tim began his career in 2005 as one of the first officers assigned to the High Risk Unit.  Tim transferred to his current position in December of 2007 and was located first in the Burlington probation office and subsequently the Lee County office in Fort Madison. Tim’s pleasant demeanor and common sense approach has been an asset to both him and our department. 

November 14, 2010 . . . Executive Officer Jason Steil marks his five-year anniversary with the District. Jason started out with the original High Risk Unit team in 2005 and has been instrumental in adding to its success.  He demonstrates professionalism with staff, offenders, and other law enforcement agencies.  As an executive officer in special services he has taken on additional duties and is currently the chairman of the Citizen Project Advisory Board. 

October 28, 2010 . . . Residential Officer John Hawk marks his five-year anniversary with the District. Residential Manager Ted Gutman stated that John "has served the Burlington Residential Facility with consistency and intelligence for the past five years. There is never a concern as to whether the job will be done correctly, nor whether his response to any given situation will be well thought out. The District is proud to call John one of its own."

October 10, 2010 . . . Residential Manager Donn Bruess is congratulated on his 20 years of service with the department.  Initially hired as the residential supervisor at the Ottumwa facility, Donn quickly put his own stamp on facility operations which ultimately lead to the promotion to his current position.  Donn’s dedication to his staff and the residents truly has made the residential facility, and its related programs, a great success.

October 7, 2010 . . . Recipients of the semi-annual Day In / Day Out Performer Awards are Food Service Leader Warren Douglas of the Ottumwa Residential Facility and Probation/Parole Officer II Vickie Higgins of the Burlington office. In regard to Douglas, the citation read in part, “Warren makes great meals every day and at the same time does an outstanding job of keeping food costs down.” Director Daniel T. Fell added, "It’s amazing that in a correctional setting; almost every resident exit survey includes compliments on the food at ORF. Warren works well with the residents and will take corrective action on his own if needed. He also steps up and helps with other issues at the facility, as he is not afraid to get his hands dirty and help out with maintenance." Higgins' citation read: "As an employee of the District since January of 1986, she has consistently turned in quality work. She enjoys working with the offenders she supervises and shows a genuine concern for their well-being and successful completion of supervision. Vickie also was a founding member of the training team for new staff and she continues to mentor and guide the next generation of case managers on a daily basis."

September 10, 2010 . . . Supervisor Mike Benda is congratulated on his 20 years of service with the District.  Previously employed by the Ft. Madison Police Department, Mike was already well grounded in his dedication to the communities we serve and in the professionalism in which he handles his duties.  In his duties as an intensive officer and later as a member of the leadership team, Mike has continued to hone those skills and is a leader in our efforts to provide offenders an opportunity for change.

July 29, 2010 . . . Secretary JoAnn Oetken was first hired by the District through Manpower in Burlington and became a full-time employee five years ago. Prior to joining the District, Oetken received a clerical diploma from Southeastern Community College in May of 1980 and was co-owner of the Oetken Brothers Trucking Company.  She is a consistently reliable employee and has been certified as a user of the NCIC system. Oetken lives in rural Burlington with her three children.

June 30, 2010 . . . Community Program Monitor Kim Duque celebrates her 15-year service anniversary. The Director of Special Services Vince Remmark said, "Kim has a passion for helping offenders through the Batterers Education Program and the Moving On Program. She continually strives to maintain the programs, which have received high markings both district wide and on the state level.  Her dedication is instrumental in making the programs so successful."

June 18, 2010 . . . The following staff members, nominated by their colleagues, were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the District at the 2010 Employee Appreciation Day:

Employee of the Year - Adam Humble: Adam is a dedicated, hard worker who truly cares about our mission and the offenders that he checks on. Adam takes his job very seriously and he routinely goes that extra mile when staff asks him for an immediate home visit or field check. He excels at being the “link” between what a supervising officer observes in the office and what actually goes on at the offender’s home and in the field. Offenders who are monitored by Adam have consistently rated him as a calm, caring, and professional law enforcement officer. We are proud to call Adam our colleague and are grateful to be able to work with him. 

Manager of the Year - Sue Boggs: Sue has done a yeoman’s job in dealing with the sex offender treatment program and the plethora of other duties that she is assigned. Sue has demonstrated great leadership abilities, is a tireless worker, and is as thorough as the day is long. She has always made herself available when someone needs something regarding the SOTP program. And, if there a solution to a problem, she will have it --- or she will find it. Besides being the “major player” in our SOTP efforts, she continually goes the extra mile to help others and is a true asset to our department.

Newcomer of the Year - Ted Robinson: While not a new employee to the District, Ted is new to his current position of leadership as the residential supervisor at the Ottumwa Residential Facility. Ted has taken right to the job and it is obvious that his former experiences as a residential officer have paid great dividends. He continually shows care and compassion for his staff and he understands the trials and tribulations that they face on a daily basis. While it is tough to supervise people you have worked with before, Ted has done a tremendous job in his new role. 

Team Excellence - Clerical Team: During this past year our clerical team has once again demonstrated that they are committed to keeping the District successful in achieving its goals. They have not only stayed devoted to the mission despite very challenging circumstances, they have excelled. The willingness of Tena Adam, Sherry Allen, Lisa Canny, Nancy Cutler, Jeanne Davis, Faye Jones, Connie Micetich, JoAnn Oetken, and Karen Stewart to maintain production at the highest level of quality and integrity, demonstrates the value, resourcefulness, ingenuity, and work ethic of our clerical staff.  Our gratitude for their commitment is immeasurable.

Recipients of Certificates of Appreciation for not using any sick leave in the last year were: Ann Auge, Jack Baker, Sue Boggs, Donn Bruess, Warren Douglas, Gary Grinstead, Ted Gutman, Adam Humble, Gary Peitz, Ted Robinson, Sally Rodeffer, Kurt Rosenberg, Mike Schakel, Tim Snyder, and Karen Stewart.

June 9, 2010 . . . Probation/Parole Officer II Nyci Harbison celebrates her 10-year service anniversary. In addition to single handedly initiating the Assessment Program for the District, Supervisor Sue Boggs stated, “that her instincts regarding the offenders she supervises adhere to the very best tenets of evidence-based practices.” Boggs added that Harbison is efficient in the performance of her duties and handles her responsibilities professionally. She is an excellent resource for her co-workers and is always willing to go the extra mile. 

May 25, 2010 . . . Probation/Parole Officer II Gary Sanders marks his 15th year of service with the District. Supervisor Susan Howard stated, “Officer Sanders is able to translate his expectations to the clients he supervises. He holds them accountable while at the same time extending the respect due them as human beings.” Sanders is also known for continually striving to identify and provide services to assist offenders in the successful completion of their supervision.

April 15, 2010 . . . Administrative Officer Cathy Leedom, of Fairfield, was awarded the District’s Day In / Day Out Performer Award. She serves as the District’s sole business manager and in-house expert on all administrative functions and continually displays an amazing ability to multi-task. While other entities have multiple people to fill those individual roles, Leedom does so herself with only minimal assistance. Her financial abilities, coupled with her steadfast frugality, were of significant importance to the District during the repeated state budget cuts over the last two fiscal years. An employee of the District for 17 years, Leedom is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the District’s Executive Management Team.

April 15, 2010 . . . Probation/Parole Officer II Gary Grinstead, of Keokuk, was awarded the District’s Day In / Day Out Performer Award for being a “complete officer” whose work is exceptional. Continually having one of the highest workloads in the District, he constantly excels in the myriad duties of a case manager. Due to being a solid fixture in an outlying office known for transition, he has also accepted the responsibility of training and mentoring several other officers over the last 20 years. Supervisor Mike Benda describes Grinstead as, “a very reliable and conscientious employee who applies a professional, sincere, common sense approach when dealing with offenders, other agencies, and the public.”

March 22, 2010 . . . Probation/Parole Officer Kristina White marks her ten year-anniversary with the Eighth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services. White worked as a residential officer at both residential correctional facilities in the District prior to her promotion to a probation/parole officer on October 2, 2006. She presently works in the Burlington probation and parole office. White has a bachelor's degree from William Penn University with a double major in psychology and sociology. PPO Supervisor Mike Benda stated, “Kristina takes great pride in her job and has a very professional, yet pleasant demeanor in her interaction with offenders.”

February 10, 2010 . . . Residential Manager Donn Bruess is awarded the Director’s Certificate of Appreciation. Bruess was cited as making great strides in putting his own stamp on the Ottumwa Residential Correctional Facility, as well as offering innovative ideas that have led to financial savings while maintaining the facility's operational integrity. Recently, he again donned his “maintenance man” hat and saved more than $1,400 in anticipated repairs. Such actions and initiative are greatly appreciated during these very difficult economic times.

January 8, 2010 . . . Assistant Director Gary B. Peitz, of West Point, completed the National Institute of Corrections Executive Excellence course in Aurora, Colorado. This 10-month, three-phase executive development program, designed for senior correctional leaders, addresses personal growth and professional development and strategies to deal with change, technology, multigenerational workforces, and organizational transformation. Peitz, a 25-year state employee, has been the assistant director of the Eighth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services since June of 2009.