June 27, 2008 . . . The following employees received special recognition by District Director Daniel T. Fell at the 2008 Employee Appreciation Day picnic:


Employee of the Year 2008

Shawn Larue: Throughout his 16-year career in corrections, Probation and Parole Officer II LaRue’s superb work ethic and thorough knowledge base have served the public, the offenders, and the people he works with. In the last year, he has earned a master's degree, implemented the Low Risk and Minimum Supervision Programs in 8A, been a key member of the Field Officer Training Program, served on the District's Evidence-Based Practices Committee, the DOC's Mental Health Focus Group, and been the "go-to" person" in the Ottumwa Office.


Manager of the Year 2008

Mike Baker: Passion is just a word to some, but it has been Baker’s way of doing business for 33 years. While some slow down as they approach retirement, Baker spearheaded the biggest cause in the District – policies and procedures. He also made the necessary plans to ensure that the expansion of Ottumwa Residential Correctional Facility includes more than just adding 25 extra beds. Moreover, as the residential manager, Baker has continued to groom and cultivate staff members so that they are ready for higher levels of responsibility. He has done all of this because he truly cares about our District, the employees, the offenders, and our communities.


Outstanding Newcomer Award 2008

Mark Smith: As a new employee thrust into the distant Grinnell office with one of the highest workloads in the District, Probation and Parole Officer II Smith has been a fast learner. In just more than six months, Smith has developed the ability to work with offenders using compassion, common sense and the tenets of evidence-based practices. He has been proactive in educating himself regarding the supervision of sex offenders and he has worked actively with the High Risk Unit and local stakeholders in Poweshiek County. Smith has also quickly developed a great sense of camaraderie with his coworkers.

Team Excellence Award 2008

In 2006, a district-wide Field Officer Training Program was instituted, so that the large influx of new case managers could receive a high level of training. Probation and Parole Officers Andrew Ferguson, Vickie Higgins, Shawn LaRue, Susan Lentsch, and Sally Rodeffer volunteered for this additional duty. They were, and continue to be, the backbone of this outstanding program. Their efforts have ensured that a new generation of PPOs will be able to assume their responsibilities and duties with the skills and confidence to provide superior services to offenders.


Certificate of Commendation

Nancy Cutler: Cutler is described by her coworkers and management as an overall great person, a consummate team player, and someone who can always be counted on and trusted. She often performs duties beyond expectations--- without being asked. Her work is excellent, she is friendly and cheerful, and recently she was recruited as a Staff Victimization and Support Services team member. A better professional cannot be found.


Certificate of Commendation

Leslie Laumeyer: As the part-time food service coordinator at the Ottumwa Residential Correctional Facility since it opened in 1991, Laumeyer has been a mainstay at the facility serving well-prepared meals to more than 2200 offenders. Her dependability is frankly amazing. She has shown up for work at the facility every weekend and holiday for more than17 years. Furthermore, her work at the facility is in addition to her "real job.”


Certificate of Commendation

Stu Morrow: For his dedicated performance as a High Risk Unit officer, Morrow's work ethic is top notch. He consistently demonstrates a conscientious effort to make sure the job is done right. In the last year he has taken full ownership of his new duties and routinely goes above and beyond expectations whether working with other District staff or law enforcement agencies. Morrow is the epitome of professionalism and his work has furthered the Department’s ultimate goal of making our communities safe.


Certificate of Appreciation

The following were among the eight percent of District staff who did not use any sick leave in Fiscal Year 2008:

Rich Boland
Karen Funk
Gary Grinstead
Ray Ham
Ray Olson
Gary Peitz
Vince Remmark
Sally Rodeffer
Karen Stewart


“Go Green” Award

Rich Boland: Probation and Parole Officer II Boland submitted several outstanding ideas to the District Leadership on how to ensure that resources are used in a manner that can lower costs and preserve the environment for generations to come.

June 13, 2008 . . . Leanne Lund accepts the Probation/Parole Officer II position in Mt. Pleasant. Lund has been a residential officer at the Burlington Residential Correctional Facility since February of 2007. She holds a bachelors degree in sociology from the University of Iowa and worked at the Des Moines County Correctional Center prior to joining the District.

June 13, 2008 . . . Sue Boggs, is promoted to Supervisor (SOTP). Boggs, who has worked for the District for more than 30 years, has been certified in the treatment of sex offenders since 1996. Her overall knowledge of that program, and community-based corrections, will be a great benefit to the District. She will continue to be housed in the Ottumwa office.

June 12, 2008 . . . Mary Thompson, retires. Thompson began working at the Ottumwa Residential Correctional Facility as a part-time residential officer on March 2, 2001 before being promoted to a full-time position. She has a combined total of 41 years of service to the state, having previously worked for the Iowa Department of Human Services.

May 30, 2008 . . . Megan Cecil, Burlington, is promoted from a part-time to a full-time residential officer at the Burlington Residential Correctional Facility. Cecil is a graduate of Southeastern Community College and earned a degree in psychology from Iowa Wesleyan College.

May 30, 2008 . . . Lisa Canny, Ottumwa, is hired as the new secretary at the Ottumwa Residential Correctional Facility. Canny has been working out of the Ottumwa probation/parole office as a Manpower secretary since September of last year. She is certified in clerical and administrative duties, and comes highly recommended. We are excited to have her as a District employee and member of the ORF team.

May 19, 2008 . . . Linda Norton, Fairfield, is promoted to information technology specialist and will join the District leadership team. Norton has worked for the Department since 1989, holding several positions of increased responsibility--- most recently as a community program monitor for the sex offender treatment program. In her new duties, she will be in charge of developing business application programs and will serve as the lead trainer for the District’s computer systems. District Director Daniel T. Fell stated, “Everything Linda is involved with becomes better in one or more ways. Everything.”

May 2, 2008 . . . Jenny Jones, Ottumwa, is promoted to executive secretary and will relocate to the Fairfield administrative office. Jones has more than 23 years of experience in advanced clerical and administrative assistant work. She has been a District employee for five years and has worked at the Ottumwa probation/parole office as well as the Ottumwa Residential Correctional Facility. Her work ethic, positive attitude, and “can-do” mentality make her a perfect fit for the level of responsibility entrusted to her.

May 1, 2008 . . . HRU Supervisor Jason Steil, Oskaloosa, is in the Employee Spotlight.

April 18, 2008 . . . HRU Officer Jason Steil, Oskaloosa, will join the District Leadership Team as the new HRU Supervisor. Steil has a strong background in both law enforcement and treatment.

April 11, 2008 . . . Adam Humble, Burlington, is the new High Risk Unit officer stationed in Des Moines County. He has a bachelor of arts degree in social science and secondary education from Central College, where he also played football for the “Dutch.” Adam is law enforcement certified in Iowa and has worked as a deputy sheriff in Davis County since 2003.

April 6, 2008 . . . Secretary Jan Crow, Burlington Probation/Parole Office, celebrates her 30-year service anniversary with the Eighth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services. Jan is the senior secretary in the District. She is an encyclopedia of knowledge regarding probation and parole and was recognized earlier in the week at a staff meeting.

March 28, 2008 . . . Residential Officer Eddie Schulthies, Burlington Residential Facility, accepts a probation/parole officer II position at the Burlington Office. Schulthies has been a residential officer with the District since 2002 and has worked at both the Ottumwa and Burlington facilities. He has a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and justice from Western Illinois University and is also a Des Moines County Sheriff reserve deputy.

March 24, 2008 . . . Heather Jones accepts a Probation/Parole Officer II position in the Burlington Office. Jones transferred from the 7th Judicial District where she worked in the sex offender unit. Originally from Burlington, she has a bachelor of arts degree in law enforcement and justice from Western Illinois University. Jones also has worked in the juvenile system and as a correctional counselor at the Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility.

March 21, 2008 . . . Residential Officer Jesse Brown, Ottumwa Residential Facility, accepts the new probation/parole officer II position at the Ottumwa Office. Brown holds a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice and has worked at ORF for a little more than a year. He also has three years of experience working as a probation/parole officer in Illinois.

March 21, 2008 . . . Allison Brown accepts a full-time residential officer position at the Ottumwa Residential Facility. Brown has a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice and sociology from Buena Vista University. She was employed as a substance abuse counselor with SIEDA and has more than three years experience working with those suffering from addiction.

March 18, 2008 . . . Probation/Parole Officer II Lori Keller, Burlington Residential Correctional Facility, celebrates her 10-year service anniversary. Keller recently received a Day In ~ Day Out Top Performer Award for giving 110 percent to her job duties, the facility, and the District’s mission.

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March 17, 2008 . . . High Risk Unit Supervisor Vince Remmark, Ottumwa, is promoted to Director of Special Services for the Eighth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services. This newly formed division encompasses all the District’s treatment programming and the certified law enforcement unit.

March 14, 2008 . . . Treatment Director Ron Mullen, Fairfield, is promoted to Assistant District Director of the Eighth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services. Mullen has 23 years of experience in the Iowa corrections system.

March 7, 2008 . . . Probation/Parole Officer II Steve Smith, Centerville, celebrates his five-year anniversary with the District. Supervisor Susan Howard states that Smith's "comprehensive knowledge of his role as a probation/parole officer and his professionalism are symbolic of all he contributes to our District."

March 5, 2008 . . . Probation/Parole Officer II Lori Keller, Burlington Residential Correctional Facility, receives the Day In ~ Day Out Performer Award. Keller was cited for her initiative in bringing stability to the caseload that she supervises. She is consistently listed as a strong, positive influence by offenders during exit evaluations. Keller's firm and fair approach allows the offenders she supervises to work within the framework of facility guidelines and to change behaviors that have caused them difficulty in the past.

March 4, 2008 . . . Probation/Parole Officer III Sue Boggs, Ottumwa, receives the Day In ~ Day Out Performer Award for her work in the sex offender treatment program. She was nominated for her rock-solid work ethic and her level of care and concern for the mission of community-based corrections. Boggs' in-depth knowledge of procedures and available resources, along with her willingness to help, is a tremendous benefit to other staff throughout our Department.

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