The Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court, Michael J. Heavican, presented Employee Recognition Awards on October 7, 2019, during the Nebraska Judicial Branch eleventh annual recognition event.

An Employee Recognition Committee selected ten individuals and two teams from 57 nominations. Candidates for the awards were nominated by judges, supervisors and colleagues in court and probation offices from across the State. The purpose of the awards program is to recognize Judicial Branch employee dedication, acknowledge exemplary contributions, and encourage employee commitment.

In addition to the Chief Justice, employees were honored by State Administrator Corey Steel, and Probation Administrator Deb Minardi, during a ceremony in the Warner Chamber at the Nebraska State Capitol. These awards are the highest honors given by the Nebraska Supreme Court in recognition of exemplary performance by those in the Judicial System. There are over 1,700 employees in the court and probation offices statewide.

The 2019 Award Recipients include:

Employee of the Year:  Adam Jorgensen, Statewide-Problem Solving Court Coordinator

Innovation:  Clerk of the Nebraska Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, Wendy Wussow

Outstanding Customer Service in the Courts:  Erin Wiesen, Associate Public Guardian, Omaha

Outstanding Administrative Employee:  Chris Hepburn, Network Administrator for the Nebraska Judicial Branch

Outstanding Team: Douglas County Finance Division: Johnny Blackburn, Danielle Collins, Andrew Wit, Michael Mattheis, Paul Crnkovich, Wendy Moore

Outstanding County Court Staff:  Hall County Records & Courtroom Clerks: Karen Borgheiinck, Brandi Barry, Alejandra Solorzano, Tessa Price, Amanda  Nickerson, Melisa Tonniges, Faith Lynaugh, Jessica Hughes, Kristine Schroder, Sheri Brown, Sandra Logue

Outstanding County Court Supervisor:  Kelley Golden, Probate Division Manager, Douglas County

Outstanding County Court Clerk Magistrate:  Gretchen Wiebe, Clerk Magistrate, Red Willow County Court

Outstanding Clerk of the District Court:  Amber Mulbery, Clerk of the District Court, Saline County (Marjorie Schaffer Memorial Award)

Outstanding Probation Office Support Staff:  Mike Pilmaier, Assistant Probation Officer, District 2

Outstanding Probation Officer: Tony Conell, Specialized Substance Abuse Supervision, PRS Officer, District 3A (LaDonna Snell Memorial Award)

Outstanding Probation Supervisor:  Jeff Banholzer, Chief Deputy, District 5 (Bob Keller Memorial Award)

Photo: 2019 Award Recipients

Front Row: Brandi Barry, Jessica Hughes, Amber Mulbery, Adam Jorgensen, Wendy Moore, Gretchen Wiebe, Erin Wiesen

Second Row: Tessa Price, Faith Lynaugh, Sheri Brown, Karen Borgheiinck, Sandra Logue, Melisa Tonniges, Mike Pilmaier, Jeff Banholzer, Kelley Golden

3rd Row:  Chris Hepburn

Not pictured: Tony Conell, Wendy Wussow, Danielle Collins, Alejandra Solorzano, Amanda Nickerson, Kristine Schroder, Johnny Blackburn, Andrew Wit, Michael Mattheis, Paul Crnkovich