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 2009
Al Reker Award
Warren Liepitz, Mille Lacs County Court Services Director
The Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers presented
their highest award, the Al Reker Award to Warren Liepitz, Mille
Lacs County Court Services Director on May 20, 2009. The Al Reker
award is given annually to individuals who have shown professionalism
and dedication in the field of corrections.
The following is the nomination form submitted by Melanie Courrier,
Pope County Probation.
It is with great respect that I nominate Warren Liepitz for the
AI Reker Distinguished Service Award for 2009.
Warren Liepitz has served as the director of Mille Lacs County
Court Services since 1996. He began his career in probation in
1977, when the agency was known as Mid-State Probation. Warren
has been a MACPO member forever and has been a member of the legislative
committee for many years. He served as the MACPO president in
2006 and throughout his career he has been involved with numerous
corrections committees, including the CSTS executive board.
Warren's ongoing involvement with the Legislative Committee,
the CSTS Executive Board, and his service as MACPO president are
simply a few examples of his commitment to the field of corrections.
Warren is very involved in his community and has served on the
local school board for many years and he is actively involved
with his church.
Warren has served as a mentor to other agents and directors.
He has a sense of humor that makes him exceptionally unique. You
always know that you can count on Warren to be straightforward
and "tell it like it is."
Warren’s commitment to this organization and to the field
of corrections can be seen through his service to MACPO. Additionally,
his work with various corrections related groups and organizations
has proven his unwavering conviction to see that small CPO counties
hold on to their voice within the field of corrections in the
state of Minnesota.
Click for history
of Al Reker Award
Click for
past Al Reker award winners
 2009
Excellence in Corrections Award
Village Ranch
Pictured from left to right, Dale Grochow, Scott Bakeberg,
& Bill Salmela
On May 20, 2009, MACPO was excited to give the 2009 Excellence
in Corrections Award to Village Ranch. This award is given to
recognize programs that have shown leadership and development
in corrections.
The following is the nomination form submitted by Neal Huemoeller,
Wright County Court Services.
In 1988, Village Ranch was established with the vision of providing
guidance to at risk adolescents. That statement comes directly
from their brochure, but it could not be more accurate. Village
Ranch has continued to grow into one of the best juvenile programs
in the state. With every referral that is sent to Village Ranch,
you can have complete confidence in your male juvenile offender
receiving incredible services. The education, programming, and
treatment have changed many lives and continue to allow offenders
a chance to truly survive upon return to the community. I would
feel confident referring any juvenile offender to the Village
Ranch
The Village Ranch staff is very deserving of this award. The
relationships that they build with the offenders in order to assist
them on their journey of change is an incredible one. Every time
I would check in with one of my offenders at Village Ranch, they
always credit the staff or their specific primary counselor with
helping them. As for the administration of Village Ranch, I could
not feel more welcome and open to calling or stopping by their
office. With such a great open door policy, you really can feel
the family atmosphere at the Village Ranch. Not to mention they
have some of the best kitchen grub you could ever want!
Finally, Village Ranch has always been a great supporter of MACPO
and probation in general. I can not remember a time when the Village
Ranch was not willing to help this organization. MACPO is truly
fortunate to have Village Ranch as a valued vendor of this organization
and as an incredible provider of services to our at risk youth.
Thanks again for all of your hard work.
 2009
Outstanding Performance Award
Abe Abrahamson, Juvenile Probation Unit Supervisor
Wright County Court Services
On May 20, 2009, Wright County Juvenile Unit Supervisor Abe Abrahamson
was presented with the 2009 Outstanding Performance Award.
Abe has worked at Wright County Court Services for the past 17
years. He has held the position of juvenile agent, adult agent,
and since 2000, he has been a Supervisor in the Juvenile Probation
Unit. Abe has been involved with MACPO as a Training and Education
Committee Past Chair, Membership Committee, and served as MACPO
President in 2000. He has been involved with MACPO's Training
Academy initiative as well. Abe is active in his community with
church activities, coaching youth sports, and is the Secretary
of the Cokato Lions Club.
The following is the nomination form submitted by Mike MacMillan
and the Wright County Court Services Management Team.
Abe would be an exceptional candidate for the 2009 MACPO Outstanding
Performance Award. Abe exemplifies the meaning of this award and
he has great dedication to the field of probation.
With his start at the Wilder Foundation, Abe has grown as a member
of our staff in Wright County since 1991. Abe has held almost
every position and he is currently supervisor of the Juvenile
Unit.
As a member of MACPO, Abe has served on just about every committee
and has given a tireless effort to the organization. He has been
president, past president and served as committee chair on almost
every committee. He is currently involved with the newly formed
Training Academy Committee and he has helped spearhead its development
and implementation.
As a supervisor, Abe has gone above and beyond in our office.
His unit won the Wright County Government Group Achievement Award
for reducing out of home placement costs. He has been a board
member of the Wright County Collaborative and STARS. Abe also
serves on 10 active Safe Schools committees that are part of the
Wright County Safe Schools Committee.
As the MACPO president and MACPO committee chair, he worked closely
with the director's committee and was also a MACPO representative
on many statewide committees.
Abe has adapted too many changes in corrections and has dedicated
his career to making a difference.
MACPO Congratulates Abe on this well deserving award!
 Outgoing
President Recognition Award
Steve King, Mower County Correctional Services Director
Steve received a plaque as outgoing president of MACPO for the
2008-2009 year. Steve worked very hard this past year and did
an outstanding job for all of MACPO’s members!
 Outgoing
Treasurer Recognition Award
Sarah Weikle, Pine County Probation Officer
Sarah received a plaque as outgoing treasurer of MACPO for her
two year term ending in 2009. Sarah did an excellent job and worked
very diligently for MACPO!
Click here to view the 2008
winners.
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