Harrisburg, PA – During a virtual employee recognition ceremony held today, Department of Corrections leadership recognized 43 employees for outstanding performance, acts of heroism, individual and group achievement, mentoring and excellence in leadership.
"Each year we recognize corrections and parole supervision employees at an annual banquet, however this year threw us a curve ball where COVID-19 is concerned," said Secretary John Wetzel. "While we may still be dealing daily with a pandemic and working to mitigate the impact COVID-19 has on our system, we still need to acknowledge and recognize employees for their continued excellence."
At today's virtual ceremony, the following employees were recognized:
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AWARD
Jeremy Voeckler, Food Service Instructor, SCI Camp Hill
Kristy Santoyo, Garment Factory Supervisor, Pennsylvania Correctional Industries, SCI Greene
Matthew Pyo, Unit Manager SCI Houtzdale
Colin Creveling, Registered Nurse Supervisor, SCI Laurel Highlands
Faith Walter, Mailroom Supervisor, SCI Mahanoy
Marcus Jones, Corrections Maintenance Foreman, SCI Mercer
Melladee Waxmunsky, Cosmetology Instructor, SCI Muncy
Scott Mihelcic, Corrections Officer 2, SCI Phoenix
Daniel Frank, Lieutenant, SCI Rockview
Priscella Karns, Administration Officer 3, Correctional Industries Central Office
MEDAL OF VALOR
Levi Blough, Corrections Vocational Employment Coordinator, SCI Camp Hill
Terry Dewitt, Corrections Officer 1, SCI Houtzdale
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR - PROFESSIONAL
Michael Barvitskie, Parole Supervisor, Williamsport District Office
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR - OFFICIALS AND ADMINISTRATION
Laura Hoffman-Reed, Major, Bureau of Community Corrections
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR - BUREAU OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
Jackie Rupert, (former) Center Director, Phila. Community Corrections Center #2. Rupert is now the director of the Female Transitional Unit which is located on the grounds of SCI Phoenix.
MICHAEL M. HADUCK AWARD
Charles Ackerman, Parole Agent 2, Pittsburgh Office
GROUP ACHIEVEMENT - PUBLIC/EMPLOYEE SAFETY
Mark Cox, John Godfrey, Dennis Hartlove, Jose Kuilan, Justin Parson, Ryan Patterson, Chris Ross, Michael Stella, Mark Zychal.
GROUP ACHIEVEMENT - SPECIAL PROJECT – ZOOM VISITS
Marcia Barnhart, Mark Frank, Suzann Hobart Nicklow, Cheryl Horner, Sandy Martin, Nicole Morton, Jackie Rupert, Tracy Smith and De'Andra Walker.
JOHN D. PERKIS AWARD
Robert Gerrity, Brian Goode
LLOYD A. WHITE EXCELLENCE IN REENTRY AWARD
Adrienne Jones, Community Resource Parole Agent, Philadelphia District Office
VICKI D. WEISEL AWARD
Tanja Hayles, Reentry Parole Agent, SCI Houtzdale
EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP
Kelly Evans, Deputy Secretary of Reentry
MENTOR OF THE YEAR - CORRECTIONS
Vernice Phillips, Corrections Officer 3, SCI Mercer
MENTOR OF THE YEAR – PAROLE/REENTRY/BCC
Nate Simon, Parole Supervisor, Pittsburgh District
THOMAS A. FULCOMER AWARD
William Norvell, Facility Maintenance Manager 3, SCI Houtzdale
Visit the DOC's website to learn more about these exceptional employees.
"I have always said that our employees are our greatest resource," Wetzel said. "This has been and always will be the case – even and especially amidst a pandemic. I ask that citizens join us in celebrating a handful of our employees and realize that the majority of all of our employees are just as exceptional."