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.