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Cari Elmore. Cari first came to KPEP through a temporary employment service, assigned to the Park Street facility. Within no time it became apparent that she would be a huge asset to KPEP and became a full time KPEP employee on August 30, 2010. She continued utilizing her exceptional organizational skills, coupled with her calm and pleasant demeanor at the Park Street facility until December 3, 2012 at which time she agreed to transfer to the Berrien facility. Since then she has streamlined outpatient services, developed an excellent rapport with referral sources, and contributed greatly to a smooth-running facility. Cari is extremely hard working and never appears to get rattled or frustrated. She is skilled at de-escalating clients, tracking services, and finding solutions to problems that arise. We feel fortunate to have Cari as part of the Berrien KPEP team.

Mark Luke. Mark Luke has been employed with KPEP since July of 2008. Mark started as a part-time Resident Coordinator. He was promoted to full time Resident Coordinator in September of 2008. Mark’s work ethic and commitment earned him Employee of the Year recognition in 2009. Mark continued to advance and was promoted to Lead Resident Coordinator at Park Street in December of 2012. Since his advancement to Lead Coordinator, Mark has excelled in his leadership role and consistently goes above and beyond in helping staff members and residents alike. His positive attitude and hard work are a great attribute to the program, and his professionalism serves as a role model to other staff members. Mark’s co-workers commented that “regardless of the situation or circumstance he ALWAYS come through.” Although assigned to the Park Street facility, Mark is always willing to help staff from other facilities. His knowledge and consistency are true assets to the organization.

Ashley Nelson. Ashley Nelson started with KPEP as a resident coordinator in January 2010 and was promoted to Employment Coordinator in May 2010. By December 2011, she was again promoted to Substance Abuse Therapist, first at Park Street and then Battle Creek. She is passionate about the substance abuse field and works hard to develop a good rapport with the residents while maintaining a professional boundary. Her dedication is evidenced by her willingness to cover for other therapists even with little or no advance notice. Ashley is professional in her approach with others and has gone beyond expectations in fostering positive relationships with referral sources. Her paperwork is always completed on time, she is “always willing to go the extra mile” and regularly stays late until her responsibilities are completed. Coworkers enjoy working with her and, among other positive accolades, indicate she is “positive and upbeat” and someone who “truly cares about the clients.” Ashley is a great example of someone who is dedicated to KPEP and particularly to the substance abuse field. She has not let working with what can be a difficult population change her outlook or enthusiasm.

In addition to the three Employees of the Year, there are nine other staff who received special recognition in 2013.

Candice Bliler. Candy was hired as a PT Resident Coordinator in October of 1999 when KPEP opened for business in Battle Creek. She has worked on Brigden Drive ever since, moving up to full-time in 2000 and becoming a Case Manager in 2001. She has worked with the our Federal Inmates since our first contract with the BOP and she knows that system well. She works hard, displays an admirable commitment to KPEP and communicates well with her co-workers who cite her for “holding her residents accountable while helping them move ahead in life.”

Chuck Chase. Chuck was nominated by his co-workers for Employee Of The Year. Chuck has been with KPEP for 14 years, and is currently a Case Manager for the male population at the Chicago Avenue facility. His co-workers recognize his willingness to help out in security, especially during meal times when resident coordinators are supervising resident meals. They noted that he is also quick to cover a CBT class whenever another facilitator is unable to facilitate. Chuck is also commended for coming in early, staying late, or coming in on off days to make sure all of his work is done. Overall, Chuck is well respected by his co-workers and his knowledge and experience are a huge benefit to KPEP.

Claus Globig. Claus has been described by his co-workers as a “great example of someone who truly values his position.” He was hired on September 6, 2013 as a therapist and has worked primarily in the outpatient department facilitating Domestic Violence and Anger Management groups as well as substance abuse treatment. He has a positive attitude and always has a smile from the time he enters the door to the time he leaves. Claus always tries to see the best in his clients and uses a strengths-based approach which seems to come naturally to him. He is also passionate about his German heritage and his face really lights up when someone speaks German around him.

Joseph Murphy. Joe has proven his dedication to his position over this past year. He covers shifts in security as needed and does so with a positive attitude. Joe is funny and has a great sense of humor. He is a wonderful guy to work with and the residents are at ease with him. Joe deals with difficult residents and manages to calm them through his positive demeanor and ability to assist them in making better choices. Joe has become an asset to KPEP and is constantly helping his coworkers and residents and is an overall dependable employee.

Anne Paulson. “Passionate about helping people” is how Anne Paulson’s co-workers describe her. She started working at KPEP on September 6, 2013 as a therapist in the substance abuse department. Within a short period of time she was also approved to provide sex offender therapy and worked both with the RSOP clients as well as outpatient sex offenders. Her flexibility and knowledge of the different contractual requirements has helped immensely and she can be counted on to complete her paperwork thoroughly and in a timely manner. She is also active in seeking to learn more about the sex offender and substance abuse fields and shares what she has learned with other clinicians. Her clinical skills are excellent and she is able to establish a good rapport with all of her clients. Additionally, she has worked hard to establish and maintain a good relationship with both the state and federal referral sources. Anne (who likes to be called Annie) is a great asset for KPEP and particularly for the treatment team.

Rebecca Robinson. Rebecca first came to KPEP as a volunteer while attending Western Michigan University. She was hired as a Resident Coordinator in July 2010 and was promoted to the Berrien Employment Coordinator in November of 2012 at which time she immediately jumped in and got things organized. Rebecca is firm yet fair with the residents by holding them accountable and always offers to help fellow staff members when the need arises. She is the employee that goes that extra mile to ensure the job is not just done, but done well. Rebecca became a certified MRT facilitator in May 2013 and took over the cognitive behavioral program at the Berrien County jail. She is very knowledgeable regarding the CBT curriculum and assists with training other staff members. Rebecca is a constant in an ever changing environment and is dedicated to doing the best job possible.

John Shorey. John came to KPEP in 2005 and has worked a variety of positions including Resident Coordinator, Sex Offender and Substance Abuse Therapist and Case Manager. The diversity of his experience makes John an excellent candidate for the dual role of case manager/substance abuse therapist at the Olmstead facility. His exceptional organizational skills combined with his commitment to improving the lives of the offenders he works with has contributed to his reputation of being a “forward thinker.” This can be seen in his commitment to delivering the best services possible to those assigned to his caseload. John is always eager to fill in when the need arises, is willing to go the extra mile to meet the needs of residents assigned to him, and is committed to professionalism. His positive outlook, sense of humor, and pleasant demeanor make him a pleasure to work with.

Tim Thornton. The main reason that Tim Thornton is arguably the most decorated Resident Coordinator in KPEP history is his sterling work ethic. He takes his job seriously and goes above and beyond to ensure that not only the residents are taught and reminded the proper way to complete the program but also that they’re living in a facility that’s clean, organized and well supplied. Tim started with KPEP in September of 1999 when he helped get the building prepared for residents. Since then he’s been a Resident Coordinator Supervisor and is now the Lead Coordinator. Throughout these past 14 years Tim has been a role model for our residents, showing them a great work ethic and how to lead their lives in an honorable manner.

Kathy Zimmerle. Kathy truly cares about the residents she works with and it shows in her actions. Kathy treats everyone with respect and a smile. She is dependable and a joy to work with. Kathy has been instrumental in keeping the house jobs covered with such a diverse group of residents. She leads by example and the residents treat her with respect. Kathy is always willing to change shifts as needed and never complains. She is a team player.

Congratulations once again to everyone recognized this year. And thanks to all of the staff at KPEP for their dedication and excellent work in helping to change lives and better serve our communities.