By Latoya Shelby

Congratulations to Frank Jackson on his 30 Years of Service!

L to R: AWA Vicki Janssen, AWO Mary McComb, CPD John Quist, Case Manager Frank Jackson, Warden Shannon Reimann & Captain Chad Oye

By Latoya Shelby

Congratulations to COII LeVares Pearson on his 20 Years of Service!

L to R: AWO Mary McComb, AWA Vicki Janssen, Officer LeVares Pearson, Warden Shannon Reimann, Captain Eric Knies & Captain John Kelly

By Latoya Shelby

Congratulations to Lt. Kingsbury who received an Employee Recognition Award nomination in the category Above & Beyond.

L to R: OSI Investigator Matt Swanson, AWA Vicki Janssen, Lt. Bernadette Kingsbury, Warden Shannon Reimann, AWO Mary McComb & Captain Eric Knies

By Rachel L. Miller

Shout out to DOC Felony Agent Wade Lennox! Wade has been an LSCMI trainer for several years. Over the last couple of years, he has volunteered to help with LSCMI training at Statewide Training Academy several times. On top of that, he has stepped up to do refresher training over and over again to help DOC staff keep fresh on their assessment skills. Thanks, Wade, for taking this on in addition to all your other work!

By Holly VanPelt

Brad Nelson, Ignition Interlock Coordinator for the Third Judicial District sent a letter of appreciation regarding Agent Wendy Ortiz and Agent Kaitlyn Hansen out of the Albert Lea Office. In the letter, he recognized Wendy for being a member of the Ignition Interlock Program since it began in 2016, and Kaitlyn for her recent persistence in helping one of her clients overcome several obstacles in obtaining a valid driver's license with ignition interlock.

The success of this program is a direct result of partnerships like this. Thank you Wendy and Kaitlyn for your dedication and teamwork!

By Darryl Goebel

A Shout Out to CPT Joshua Holmes for helping when help was needed and providing assistance with getting incarcerated individuals from the living units to Psych Services area for meetings with the provider. This unselfish act reminds us that we’re all in this together and that we’re stronger working together than working apart.

In the times of facilities running short-staffed and more and more being asked of everyone, it is great to see staff come together, helping where and when help is needed.

Thank you Josh, for your help and dedication to your fellow staff and everyone at MCF-Rush City!

By Wendy Spry

A small cohort of DOC staff attended Tribal State Relations Training (TSRT) at the Lower Sioux Indian Community in Morton, Minnesota, on March 21 and 22, 2023.

The mission of TSRT is to "provide training and education for Minnesota state employees about American Indian tribal governments, histories, cultures and traditions, in order to empower state employees to work effectively with American Indians and promote authentic and respectful relationships between state agencies and American Indian tribes."

DOC staff attending this training found common ground with tribal nations in the areas of resource coordination, healthy communities and a desire for success for the people we serve. Equally important, they were able to learn American Indian history through a different lens. Some steps they hope to implement in their work included building effective communication and relationships with tribal nations, recognizing the importance of accurate data collection, and exercising compassion and empathy in their daily work.

(Tribal-State Relations Training (TSRT) is the official training offered to all State of Minnesota employees per Government-to-Government Relationship with Tribal Governments (PDF). Minnesota Statute 10.65 affirms the Government-to-Government relationship between the State of Minnesota and the 11 Tribal Nations in Minnesota.)

Left to right: Barbara Bauer, Dan Jones, Aarah Saugen, Morgan Woodbury, Wendy Spry, and Paul Dosunmu.

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By Marisol Ortega

Daniel Berg began his career with the DOC in October of 2009 and has owned and operated a Licensed Security Company in Minnesota since 2014. He will be working as the 3rd watch Watch Commander. What motivated him to make the jump to Lieutenant?

“I believe we have an amazing executive leadership team which I wanted to work closer with and to support the creative development and direction at our facility".

If I may add a quote: “Don't underestimate the power of vision and direction. These are irresistible forces, able to transform what might appear to be unconquerable obstacles into traversable pathways and expanding opportunities." -Dr. Jordan Peterson

Congratulations Dan!

L to R: Captain Karl Krippner, Lt. Daniel Berg and Captain Lori Korts

By Marisol Ortega

In 2013, Sgt. Aric Hurd started as a CO at MCF- Rush City. Accumulating a total of 10 years as an officer, he has experience working units, as well as working 2nd watch A-Team for the last 4 years. His new position is 3rd watch, Living Unit B Sgt.

When asked about his promotion, Sgt. Hurd said, “I was motivated to be a Sgt. to use my experience to help new and younger staff succeed."

Congratulations Sgt. Hurd!

L to R: Captain Karl Krippner, Sgt. Aric Hurd and Lt. Michael Poppen

By Captain Nate Bartz

On March 29, MCF-Rush City promoted Lt. Brad Steele, who has accepted 1st Watch Command, and Lt. Scott Huckell, who has accepted 3rd Watch Command. Congratulations to both of these outstanding individuals who possess many years of corrections experience!

Left to Right: AWO Vic Wanchena, Capt. Ashlee Berts, Lt. Scott Huckell, Lt. Bradley Steele, Capt. Erik Rasmussen, AWA Stephanie Huppert, Capt. Nate Bartz