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Stillwater Employee Recognition Award Nominations
7 employees recently received Employee Recognition Award Nominations at Stillwater. Read about them below!
- Congratulations to MCF-Stillwater Officer Jorja Gale who received an Employee Recognition nomination in the category of Volunteer. Officer Gale almost singlehandedly worked to ensure MCF-STW had a nice Employee Appreciation Week. She IS the Employee Enrichment Committee (EEC). She spent countless hours outside of work to raise money for the EEC and many more hours planning and coordinating the Appreciation week including shopping, making signs, making gift bags, and soliciting local business for donations. MCF-Stillwater owes her a big thank you!
- Congratulations to MCF-Stillwater Sergeant Jordan Leese who received an Employee Recognition nomination in the category of Above and Beyond the Call of Duty. One of the items listed on the Going Home Checklist is to “Check on your colleagues before you leave: are they ok?" During the April Fools Blizzard, Sgt. Leese did just that. The blizzard started during our shift, and he organized staff to help clean off all our cars. At the end of the shift, he stayed behind and organized us to help each other get our cars out of the parking lot that had received 9 inches of wet snow. Sgt. Leese even used his own vehicle to pull a stuck car out. We all made it home safe that day because of Sgt. Leese. This is one example of the excellence indicative to the type of behavior he displays every day.
- Congratulations to MCF-Stillwater Sergeant Bryan Dettloff who received an Employee Recognition nomination in the category of Outstanding Individual Performance. Sgt. Dettloff is and always has been a wonderful ray of positivity as a co-worker and as a leader of a living unit. He is always upbeat, positive, and his smile can influence the mood of a living unit. You can always rely on him for advice, a laugh, support, and the knowledge and experience that he is always willing to share.
- Congratulations to MCF-Stillwater Sergeant Jordan Sitka who received an Employee Recognition nomination in the category of Safety. Sgt. Sitka puts the staff working under him first every day. If something doesn't make sense, he will question it if he sees a better way to approach a challenge that staff may be facing whether it is watch specific or a facility wide issue. This is an important and valued trait when it comes to proper and quality leadership.
- Congratulations to MCF-Stillwater Officer Shelbi Groath who received an Employee Recognition nomination in the category of Project Recognition. Officer Groath eagerly volunteered to help organize the 2nd Annual Joe Gomm “Whatever" Golf Tournament. She spent numerous hours and energy working on reaching out to businesses for sponsorships, collecting donations, making signs, and creating spreadsheets. The Stillwater CPOF Committee raised over $4,000 mainly due to her efforts.
- Congratulations to MCF-Stillwater Lieutenants Shane Jones and Mike Pavlich who received an Employee Recognition Nomination in the category of Leadership. Lieutenants Jones and Pavlich share their knowledge and assist with the continued teaching of Response to Resistance in the ever-changing environment of Corrections. They both ensure proper policy is enforced and make corrections if needed. They both work by the motto of “leadership by example!" Thanks to their examples, all staff have a better understanding of what it takes to be a true leader and can feel safer within these walls.
- Congratulations to MCF-Stillwater Lt. Shane Jones who received an Employee Recognition nomination in the category of Leadership. Congratulations to MCF-Stillwater Lt. Shane Jones who received an Employee Recognition nomination in the category of Leadership. Lt. Jones led our self-defense class during Academy. He was extremely knowledgeable and able to translate his physical abilities into usable skills. He provided great leadership throughout the course, always encouraging us to push harder while gently reminding us that our lives could depend on the skills we learned. Lt. Jones is genuine and sincere and had our best interests in mind while coaching un through training.
- Congratulations to MCF-Stillwater Officer Jorja Gale who received an Employee Recognition nomination in the category of Volunteer. Officer Gale almost singlehandedly worked to ensure MCF-STW had a nice Employee Appreciation Week. She IS the Employee Enrichment Committee (EEC). She spent countless hours outside of work to raise money for the EEC and many more hours planning and coordinating the Appreciation week including shopping, making signs, making gift bags, and soliciting local business for donations. MCF-Stillwater owes her a big thank you!
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CIT Graduating Class June 2023
By Brad Scibak
Please welcome the latest and greatest members of the DOC, CIT team. They represent 8 different correctional facilitites. Thank you to all of them for spending a week with us at MCF-Stillwater from June 5-9 to learn many new and useful skills.
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Shout Out: Memorial Weekend Stillwater Staff
By Nicole Riemenschneider
I want to acknowledge the fine work of my staff over the Memorial Day weekend.
On Sunday, May 29, they started the shift with five cells to pack, three from the previous day, that they were unable to complete due to a large grouping and other events that occurred on Saturday. Staff also recovered a shank and three IPs went to Segregation for positive PBTs. Officer Nakatani-Valdez and Officer Kim completed five cell packs from all of the events that transpired before 1030 hours.
Cell packs are often a daunting part of the job, but these two officers completed this task for the OIC that day, Officer Emily Anderson, without question. She emailed me to relay how invaluable it was to work with officers that supported her and helped getting all tasks done without hesitation.
As the supervisor of A-East, I am well aware that my staff often work hard, long days, and I wanted to take this opportunity to award them with a formal acknowledgement of this work.
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Corrections Week Fun at Stillwater
By Lisa Connors
How often do you get the chance to 'pie' a supervisor without getting in trouble? Stillwater staff got the chance on the last day of Corrections Employees Week! Along with a grill out done by 1st Watch, Stillwater really brought the fun to Corrections Week. It was Lt. Mike Pavlich, RN Supervisor Amber Swanson, Capt. Lisa Connors, Lt. Marisa Williams, and CPD Natalya Kandakova. The pie-thrower was Sgt. Brett Bero.
Here are some pictures from the events below:
Sgt. Jacob Winberg grilled burgers, chicken legs and brats for 1st Watch staff appreciation. 
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Joe Gomm Memorial Highway Sign Installed
By Dan Dingmann
The MN Department of Transportation recently installed the road sign memorializing Highway 95 from Highway 36 to Interstate 94 as the Corrections Officer Joseph Gomm Memorial Highway. A few staff took a walk down to the sign to take a picture of the newly installed sign. When coming to Stillwater you will see the sign turning on to Highway 95 off Highway 36. As we come up on the 5 year anniversary, this will continue to serve as a lasting memory to all who travel this section of highway of Joe's sacrifice.
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Faribault Shows Support for Stillwater and Oak Park Heights Staff
By Captain Martin Dahlen
Sergeant Jason Anderson and myself met with MCF-Oak Park Heights and MCF-Stillwater staff on April 29, 2023 as a show of support from MCF-Faribault. Appreciation banners signed by MCF-Faribault staff were presented and pizzas were provided.
The courage, dignity, and respect of MCF-Oak Park Heights/Stillwater staff was very apparent during our visit. Sgt. Anderson and myself were welcomed into both facilities and relayed Faribault's sincere appreciation for the work that must be done every day. Together we will continue to traverse the path of Corrections.
Special thanks for MCF-Faribault's Local 3607 for providing the pizzas.
L-R: Sgt. Anderson (FRB) and Officer Moua (OPH) 
L-R: Officer Ramirez (STW) and Sgt. Anderson (FRB) -
Retention Heroes: Faribault Staff
Retention Hero stories differ from Shout Outs in that they showcase special things people do that make working at the DOC great. Captain Lisa Connors submitted this on behalf of Stillwater's staff.
By Lisa Connors
MCF-Stillwater would like to give a HUGE message of appreciation and thanks to the staff at MCF-Faribault. On Saturday, April 29, Captain Martin Dahlen and Sergeant Jason Anderson came to the facility to meet with staff in an expression of respect and a "one team" message. MCF-Faribault's Unit 8 provided pizzas for all of the staff on all three watches at the facility. Additionally, Capt. Dahlen and Sgt. Anderson brought a "Thank You" banner signed by their staff with messages of support. It is acts of kindness like these that truly represent the incredible family our Department is. Thank you, MCF-Faribault!
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Online Store in Honor of Officer Joseph Gomm
Current and former MCF-Stillwater staff have created an online store in memory of Officer Joseph Gomm, EOW 7/18/18. All proceeds will go in Joe's name to the University of Minnesota Raptor Center on July 18th. Many will remember, shortly before his death, officer Gomm rescued two baby kestrel falcons when they fell from their nest outside an MCF-STW industry building. Joe transferred the chicks to the U of M Raptor Center during his lunch break. On July 18th, 2018, Joe emailed the Raptor Center to check up on the chicks. Only a few hours later, his life was tragically taken from him. We can honor Joe by making a donation in his name. Donated funds will pay for a lifetime of care for an injured raptor and a commemorative plaque for its enclosure. The store link is valid until May 14th. Challenge coins are also still available for purchase. Any questions can be directed to Lt. Cory Felda at courtney.felda@state.mn.us.
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Shout Out: Stillwater Case Manager Mike Lussier
By Captain Andy Darling
The “Thinking for a Change" (T4C) program is once again thriving at MCF-Stillwater after a period of disruptions due to COVID. This is in large part due to the dedication and persistence of Case Manager Mike Lussier. Since programing is back in full swing throughout the DOC, Case Manger Lussier has successfully graduated two groups of incarcerated individuals and is getting ready to graduate his third.
Mike's passion for this program, and others like it, are a testament to his commitment to offer healthy programming and provide the men in our care genuine opportunities to change their lives. Although Mike has a heavy caseload as well as a variety of other responsibilities as a Case Manager, he can often be found helping those incarcerated navigate problems in a constructive manner and making a difference in people's lives.
Thank You Case Manager Lussier for the positive impact you are making on the culture of Corrections!
Case Manager Mike Lussier talking with incarcerated individual -
Stillwater Bids Adieu to Warden Bosch
By Captain Andy Darling
MCF-Stillwater staff bid farewell to Warden Guy Bosch as he returns to MCF-Shakopee after nearly four years.
Warden Bosch was appointed to lead Stillwater on July 1, 2019. During his appointment he led his team through several unprecedented challenges including a ransomware attack and the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout these events and others, his goals were clear, and it was evident his vision for Stillwater was a program-rich environment where individuals have an opportunity for real change. Thanks to the persistence of Warden Bosch and his team, as well as his attention to detail, he is leaving the facility with a clear direction forward.
During his time at Stillwater, Warden Bosch often commented on the fine dining opportunities the town of Stillwater had to offer. As a big thank you for all he has done, his team treated him to his favorite cuisine on his last day with us.
L to R: AWO Lisa Stenseth, AWA Dan Moe, Captain Bola Olarinde, Special Investigator Brady Scott, Captain Eric Hennen, Captain Andy Darling, Exec 2 Sue Armstrong, HR Director Sheryl Maxwell, Captain Lisa Connors, Warden Guy Bosch
