Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court, Mike Heavican, presented Judicial Branch Recognition Awards to individuals and team members on November 20, 2023, during the Nebraska Judicial Branch’s 15^th annual recognition event.

The Employee Recognition Committee selected 11 individuals and three teams from the nominations submitted. Candidates for the awards were chosen and nominated by their supervisors and colleagues in their courts and probation offices. The program aims to recognize the ongoing court and probation employee dedication, acknowledge exemplary contributions, and encourage employee commitment.

Employees were honored by members of the State Supreme Court, State Court Administrator Corey Steel, and State Probation Administrator Deb Minardi outlining the individual contributions of each award recipient. The awards are the highest honors given by the Nebraska Supreme Court, recognizing meritorious 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. 

Additionally, the Nebraska Interstate Commission for Juveniles State Council, comprised of interbranch collaborators, was recognized for their excellent teamwork and partnership among representatives both in and outside of the Judicial Branch.

Award Recipients for 2023 include:  

• Employee of the Year – Hazel Delgado, AOCP Director of Research and Data – Lancaster County
• Diversity Leadership – Rosa Rodriguez, Senior Secretary – District 5, Colfax County
• Outstanding Administrative Employee – Marla Fischer, Deputy Director of the Office of the Public Guardian – Lancaster County
• Outstanding Customer Service, Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation Language Access Team
  • Olivia Brockman – Sarpy County
  • Kari Corkle – Lancaster County
  • Adrian Hinojosa – Douglas County

• Outstanding County Court Staff – Regan VanMatre, County Court Courtroom Clerk and Electronic Court Reporter – District 9, Buffalo County Court
• Outstanding County Court Supervisors – Kelley Golden Assistant Judicial Administrator and Wendy Moore Assistant Judicial Administrator – District 4, Douglas County Court
• Outstanding County Court Clerk Magistrate Award – Linda Mitchell, District 7, Antelope County
• Outstanding Probation Officer Award – Yesica Flores, District 3, Lancaster County
• Outstanding Probation Office Support Staff – Julie Schuyler – District 9, Hall County
• Outstanding Probation Supervisor – Kalie Lindsley, Reporting Center Coordinator  – District 5, Platte County
• Outstanding Clerk of the District Court – Vickie Prince – 7^th Judicial District, Pierce County District Court
• Innovation Award - Nebraska County Court Association Clerk Magistrate Orientation Committee
  • Sara Fowler – Ninth Judicial District, Hall County
  • Ellen Faltys – Fifth Judicial District, Colfax County
  • Cathy Reiman – Eighth Judicial District, Boyd County
  • Debra Hand – Eighth Judicial District, Cherry County
  • Vicki Kuhlman – Sixth Judicial District, Washington and Burt Counties

• Outstanding Team Nebraska Interstate Commission for Juveniles State Council
  • Mark LaBouchardiere, Administrator, Office of Juvenile Services, Buffalo County
  • Hon. Kale Burdick, County Court Judge, Eighth Judicial District, Holt County
  • Hon. Amy Schuchman, Separate Juvenile Court Judge, Douglas County
  • Rhonda Rolles, Director of Victim Assistance Division, Douglas County Attorney’s Office
  • Kari Rumbaugh, Deputy Administrator for Juvenile Services, AOCP Lancaster County  
  • April Carlson, Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children, Lancaster County
  • Jacey Rader, Assistant Deputy Administrator for Operations, AOCP, Lancaster County
  • Mark Benne, Director, Northeast Nebraska Juvenile Services, Madison County
  • Captain Jerry White, Captain – Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office,
  • Sen. John Fredrickson, Nebraska State Senator, District #20,  Lancaster County
  • George Welch, Assistant Attorney General, Lancaster County
  • Heather Briggs, Chief Deputy, District 4 Probation, Douglas County