NDCS teammates honored at annual awards ceremony
May 11, 2026 (Lincoln, Neb.) – The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) honored 38 team members today at the agency’s annual awards ceremony, recognizing exceptional contributions that advanced public safety, rehabilitation, and reentry throughout 2025.
Held at Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County, the event highlighted individuals who demonstrated leadership, mentorship, customer service, and a strong commitment to the NDCS mission to keep people safe.
“Corrections is a critical part of public safety,” said Director Rob Jeffreys. “It’s an honor to pause and recognize the people of NDCS who make it possible for us to keep Nebraska safe and transform lives. Every program delivered, every skill taught, every moment of encouragement helps someone build a better path forward.”
The 2,500 people who make up NDCS serve the citizens of Nebraska 24 hours a day, seven days a week. NDCS has recognized outstanding leaders within the agency since 1992. Criteria for each award varies and nominations are solicited from across NDCS.
Awards were presented by Dir. Jeffreys and Assistant Director Diane Sabatka-Rine. Award categories included: Team Members of the Year, Supervisors/Managers of the Year, Leadership, Community Service, In the Line of Duty, Outstanding Ambassador, Customer Focused, Innovation, One Team/One Vision, Excellence in Mentoring, Special Teams Member and Partnership.
This year, the Partnership Award was presented to Persevere, an organization that has brought technology education, life‑skills development, and wraparound support to the NDCS population. Their commitment has made full‑stack development and coding — once unimaginable in a prison setting — a real pathway for growth, reentry, and family stability. Their expanding partnership across facilities reflects their deep dedication to empowering lives and strengthening communities.
The Partnership Award was presented to Persevere, an organization that has brought technology education, life‑skills development, and wraparound support to the NDCS population.
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List of 2026 NDCS employee annual award recipients
Team Members of the Year: Tyler Ashton, Corporal, TSCI; Jason Buddenberg, Facilities Construction Coordinator II, CO; Mildred Essien, Unit Caseworker, NCYF; Samantha Heffner, Behavioral Health Practitioner III, WEC; Steven Jones, Safety Specialist, OCC; Desaray Kern, Emergency Preparedness Specialist, RTC; Sheena Kolarik, Corporal, NCCW; Brady Land, Parole Officer, CSS; Tevante Perry, Corporal, CCC-O
Supervisors/Managers of the Year: Brian Bencker, Assistant Program Director, CSS; Amber Caliri, Lieutenant, NSP; Trent Garvin, Lieutenant, NCCW; Kim Isabell, Director of Nursing – Behavioral Health Services, RTC; Laurie Kohl, Canteen Supervisor, OCC; Murad Mahko, Lieutenant, CCC-L; Wendy McKain, Business Manager, WEC; Amanda Perkins, Behavioral Health Practitioner Supervisor II, OCC; Jeffrey Seeley, Lieutenant, TSCI
Leadership Award: Jacob Harkendorff, Captain, TSCI
Community Service Award: Amanda Stocking, Unit Case Manager, CCC-L
In the Line of Duty Awards: Mike O’Connell, Video Intelligence Analyst, NSP; and the TSCI Response Team: Sue Baum, Teacher; Seth Kaufmann, Peru State College Correctional Officer Intern; Olivia Moser, Clinical Program Manager; Lisa Schmidt, Office Specialist; Bladen Weiner, Peru State College Correctional Officer Intern; Nicole Zelinski, Sergeant
Outstanding Ambassador: Shad Berner, Lieutenant, TSCI
Customer Focused Award: Sharita Davidson, Sergeant, RTC
Innovation Award: TSCI Food Service Leadership Team: Jason Cress, Food Service Director II; Nick Kestler, Food Service Manager; Linda Stinson, Food Service Manager
One Team/One Vision Award: NSP Internal Clothing Issue Process: Beau Howe, Central Warehouse Corporal; Dillon Kortum, Corporal; Mark McCoy, Central Warehouse Manager; Brandon Tan, Unit Administrator
Excellence in Mentoring Award: Shawn Henry, Corporal, OCC
Special Teams Member: Brady Trevino, Corporal, CCC-L
Partnership Award: Persevere
NDCS Facility List
Central Office (CO)
Community Corrections Center – Lincoln (CCC-L)
Community Corrections Center – Omaha (CCC-O)
Community Supervision Services (CSS)
Cornhusker State Industries (CSI)
Nebraska Correctional Center for Women (NCCW)
Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility (NCYF)
Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP)
Omaha Correctional Center (OCC)
Reception and Treatment Center (RTC)
Staff Training Academy (STA)
Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI)
WEC Detention Facility (WEC)