FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (25-18)
CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications
OFFICE 402-479-5799 | dayne.urbanovsky@nebraska.gov
May 30, 2025 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Team members at the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) carry out the mission to keep people safe each and every day. Today, recognition was given to the best of the best for their achievements in 2024 to provide leadership, customer and community service, mentorship, and more at the department’s annual awards ceremony. The event was held at the Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County and honored 39 teammates.
“Everything we do as an agency starts with our people,” said Director Rob Jeffreys. “It’s an honor to pause and show appreciation to these people-focused leaders who give their best every day. They are tremendous agents of change in our TRANSFORM Nebraska mission.”
The 2,300 people who make up NDCS serve the citizens of Nebraska 24 hours a day, seven days a week. NDCS has recognized outstanding leaders within the agency since 1992. Criteria for each award varies and nominations are solicited from across NDCS.
Awards were presented by Dir. Jeffreys and Assistant Director Diane Sabatka-Rine. Recipients represented each of the agency’s nine facilities, Cornhusker State Industries, Central Warehouse and Central Office. Award categories included: Team Members of the Year, Supervisors/Managers of the Year, Leadership, Community Service, In the Line of Duty, Outstanding Ambassador, Customer Focused, Innovation, One Team/One Vision, Excellence in Mentoring, and Special Teams Member.
This year, the One Team One Vision Award was presented to a multi-disciplinary team who developed the hospice volunteer program at the Reception and Treatment Center. The program provides compassionate end-of-life care, positively affecting incarcerated caregivers, terminally ill patients, staff and families.
Award winners will be recognized on the NDCS website and social media in June.
List of 2025 NDCS employee annual award recipients
Team Members of the Year: Muhsin Aljando, Corporal, NSP; Kim Franssen, HR Specialist, NCCW; Colby Hank, Sergeant, RTC; Sierra Hodges, Parole Officer, Omaha; Samantha Kamm, Unit Caseworker, CCC-L; Dean O’Shea, Corporal, CCC-O; MJ Schlosser, Behavioral Health Practitioner, NSP; McKenzie Shullaw, Unit Caseworker, TSCI; Cheryl Singleton, Sergeant, OCC; Caralea Strayer, Communications Manager, CO
Supervisors/Managers of the Year: Makenzie Delgado, Unit Case Manager, RTC; Christopher Fifield, Lieutenant, NCCW; Teresa Kalin, Supply Manager, Central Warehouse; Tim Lange, Business Manager, OCC; Jeff Melvin, Chief Psychologist, RTC; Jennifer Schultz, Lieutenant, TSCI; Carolyn Sommer, Unit Manager, WEC; Alicia Staiger, Unit Manager, CCC-L; Sommer Westbay, Canteen Supervisor, NSP; David Williams, Shop Operations Manager, CSI
Leadership Award: Malisa Kringle, Assistant Deputy Director of Programs, CO
Community Service Award: Lorna Anderson, Lieutenant, TSCI
In the Line of Duty Award: Cesar Delgadillo Aguiar, Corporal, NSP; Jairo Cabieles, Sergeant, RTC
Outstanding Ambassador: Jennifer Hope, Administrative Programs Officer II, RTC
Customer Focused Award: Theresa Lloren, Unit Case Manager, NCCW
Innovation Award: Brandy Kennec, Utilization Review Nurse, CO
One Team/One Vision Award: Jason Geerdes, Unit Case Manager, RTC; Jammie Harms, Administrative Nurse, RTC; Christina Harvey, Registered Nurse, RTC; Jennifer Hope, Administrative Programs Officer II, RTC; Kortni Igel, Master Social Worker, RTC; Nicholas Neujahr, Unit Manager, RTC; Lori Palik, Director of Nursing, RTC; Amy Rezny, Director of Social Work, NSP; Robert Rucker, Religious Coordinator, RTC; Eric Staiger, Assistant Warden, RTC; Caralea Strayer, Communications Manager, CO; Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications, CO
Excellence in Mentoring Award: Jason Krauss, Unit Caseworker, NCYF
Special Teams Member: Randy Papczun, Maintenance Specialist, RTC