Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court, Mike Heavican, presented 10 Employee Recognition Awards to individuals and team members on September 11, 2017, during the Nebraska Supreme Court’s ninth annual recognition event.

The Employee Recognition Committee selected nine individuals and one team from the nominations submitted. 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.

Employees were honored by Chief Justice Mike Heavican, Court Administrator Corey Steel, and Probation Administrator Ellen Fabian Brokofsky 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 1,800 employees in the judicial system in court and probation offices statewide. The 2017 Award Recipients include:

• Employee of the Year presented to Paula Crouse, JUSTICE Business Analyst Supervisor, Administrative Office of the Courts. 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.
• Outstanding Probation Employee (Jean Miller Memorial Award for Probation Support Staff) presented to Pattie Yanda, Case Monitor, District 9 Probation. 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 Brandon Hinrichs, Specialized Juvenile Probation Office, District 5 Probation. The award recognizes exemplary performance by a Probation Officer.
• Outstanding Probation Supervisor (Bob Keller Memorial Award for Probation Supervisor) presented to Erin Sliva, Juvenile Justice Resource Supervisor, District 2 Probation. The award recognizes exemplary performance by a Probation Supervisor.
• Outstanding Court Supervisor/Administrative Employee presented to Tyson Jenkins, Alternatives to Incarceration Specialist, Probation Administration. The award recognizes exemplary performance by a supervisor or administrative employee in the Nebraska Judicial System.
• Innovation Award presented to Sara Barent, Data Analyst, Probation Administration. 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 John Anderson, Drug Technician, District 6 Probation. 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 presented to Vicki Kyles, Records Clerk, Lancaster County Court. 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 to Marlene Vetick, Clerk, Platte County District Court. The award recognizes exemplary performance by a clerk of a district court.
• Outstanding Team Award presented to the Transitional Living Initiative Team, Office of Probation Administration: Bob Denton, Shane Stutzman, Julie Scott, Dustin Bartley, Suzanne Eggert, Kathy Cummins, and Teresa Campbell.

Picture caption:

2017 Award Recipients - Back, L to R: Paula Crouse, Tyson Jenkins, Bob Denton, Brandon Hinrichs, John Anderson
Middle, L to R: Julie Scott, Teresa Campbell, Vicki Kyles, Marlene Vetick
Front, L to R: Erin Sliva, Dustin Bartley, Kathy Cummins, Pattie Yanda
Not pictured: Shane Stutzman, Suzanne Eggert, Sara Barent