Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court, Mike Heavican, presented 12 Employee Recognition Awards to individuals and team members on September 30, 2016, during the Nebraska Supreme Court’s eighth annual recognition event. The Employee Recognition Committee selected 10 individuals and 1 team from the nominations submitted for the Employee Recognition Awards. Candidates for the awards were chosen and nominated by their supervisors and colleagues in the courts and probation offices where they work. The purpose of the program is to recognize ongoing court and probation employee dedication, acknowledge exemplary contributions, and encourage employee commitment. This is the eighth year that the Nebraska Supreme Court has recognized court and probation employees with awards for outstanding job performance and commitment to public service. Employees were honored by Chief Justice Mike Heavican, Court Administrator Corey Steel, Probation Administrator Ellen Fabian Brokofsky and invited guests with a ceremony in the Warner Chamber of the Nebraska State Capitol. The awards are the highest honors given by the Nebraska Supreme Court recognizing exemplary performance by court and probation employees in the Nebraska Judicial System. There are over 1,600 employees in the judicial system in court and probation offices statewide. The 2016 Award Recipients include: Outstanding Probation Employee (Jean Miller Memorial Award for Probation Support Staff) presented to David Rea, District 5 Drug Technician. The award recognizes exemplary performance by any probation support staff employee in the Nebraska Judicial System. Outstanding Probation Officer (LaDonna Snell Probation Officer Award) presented to Chris Cromer, also in District 5. The award recognizes exemplary performance by a Probation Officer. Outstanding Probation Supervisor (Bob Keller Memorial Award for Probation Supervisor) presented to Bob Denton, District 6 Chief Probation Officer, recently appointed to Deputy Administrator. The award recognizes exemplary performance by a Probation Supervisor. Outstanding Team Award is presented to Dean Rohwer and Jeremy Behrends Team: Post Release Supervision. Outstanding Court Supervisor/Administrative Employee presented to, Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation’s, Catherine Corbet. The award recognizes exemplary performance by a supervisor or administrative employee in the Nebraska Judicial System. Innovation Award presented to the Donna VanWinkle, Data Analyst for District 5. The award recognizes employees for their contribution of effectiveness, efficiency, or economy to the Nebraska Judicial System operations. Outstanding Customer Service in the Courts Award presented to Brad Brake, Associate Guardian for the Office of Public Guardian. The award recognizes employees who have implemented creative and effective programs that improve customer service to external or internal court/probation customers. Outstanding Trial or Appellate Court Personnel jointly awarded to Lisa Bosak, Courtroom Clerk and Terri Stutzman, Records Clerk, both in Seward County. This award recognizes exemplary performance by an employee serving in any office of the trial or appellate courts in the Nebraska Judicial System. Outstanding Clerk of the District Court (Marjorie Schaffer Memorial Award) presented Joyce Wusk, retired Clerk of the District Court, Saline County. The award recognizes exemplary performance by a clerk of a district court. Employee of the Year presented to Beth Pullen, Clerk Magistrate, Merrick County. The award recognizes one employee for exemplary performance, professionalism, loyalty and other accomplishments that establish the values and professional standards of the daily work of the Judicial Branch.