2011 Awards
2011 Awards
Agency/Employee(s) |
Awards and Honors |
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Department of Game, Fish, and Parks | Game, Fish, and Parks Division of Wildlife Aquatics Staff Recognized at Dakota Chapter AFS Annual Meeting Four members of the Division’s Aquatic Section were recognized on February 22 for their outstanding contributions to the fisheries profession and three others were elected as officers at the annual meeting of the Dakota Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) in Bismarck North Dakota. Mike Barnes, Hatchery Manager at McNenny State Fish Hatchery near Spearfish, was presented with the Chapters Past-Presidents award in appreciation and recognition of personal contributions to the advancement and improvement of fisheries science in the professional and public interest by serving as President of the Dakota Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Jerry Wilhite, Fisheries Biologist in Rapid City and Matt Ward, Fisheries Biologist at Blue Dog Fish Hatchery were presented with the Chapter’s Outstanding Young Professional Award. This honor is reserved for professional level staff in the first five years of their careers who have made significant contributions to fisheries science, conservation and who have been a positive influence on the fisheries profession, the Dakota Chapter and their co-workers. Dr. Brian Blackwell, Fisheries Biologist stationed in Webster, was presented the Chapter’s most prestigious award, The Robert L. Hanten Distinguished Professional Service Award, which is presented annually to a fisheries professional from North or South Dakota who over their career has furthered the mission of the American Fisheries Society. The Award is named for the long time South Dakota Fisheries Chief whose vision largely shaped the fisheries of the Missouri River system in South Dakota and the careers of many present and past fisheries professionals in our state. Three Aquatics Section staff members from Chamberlain were elected to the lead the Dakota Chapter for the term of September 2011 until August 2012. Chris Longhenry will serve as Chapter President, Jason Sorenson will be the Vice-President and Gary Knecht will perform the duties of Secretary-Treasurer. The 2012 annual meeting of the Dakota Chapter is tentatively schedule to be held in Chamberlain next February. |
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Department of Revenue and Regulation | On March 24, Commission on Gaming Executive Secretary Larry Eliason was presented an award for "exemplary service to the cause of racing integrity" by the President of the Association of Racing Commissioners International. Larry received this award for his efforts on behalf of the development of model rules for horse racing. | |
Department of Revenue and Regulation | Colleen Skinner, Property Tax Specialist, with the Department of Revenue was awarded the 2011 Excellent Service to South Dakota County Officials. | |
Department of Game, Fish, and Parks | The website for the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department has received national recognition among similar game and fish agencies around the United States. The Association for Conservation Information, with membership including over 40 state game and fish agencies, awarded the GFP website – www.gfp.sd.gov – third place honors as part of the group’s annual awards competition. “This is high praise for our agency and the work we have done to update our website over the past year,” Scott Simpson, Chief of Administrative Services for the Division of Wildlife, said. “The award is significant because it compares our website to agencies with similar goals and responsibilities. To be mentioned at the same level with states like Missouri, Alabama and Texas is a great honor.” From July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011 the GFP website had 2.2 million visitors and 12.8 million page views. The GFP website contains information on hunting, fishing and state parks. One of the primary uses of the website is for individuals wishing to use the state park reservation system, purchase general hunting and fishing licenses, and apply for limited lottery big game licenses. |
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Department of Game, Fish, and Parks | Custer State Park Employee Honored by National Guard |
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Department of Corrections | Kristi Bunkers, Director of Classification and Community Services for Juvenile Community Corrections, received the Satnan-Canary Award from the South Dakota Corrections Association. The award is named for Clarence Satnan and Art Canary, leaders in the probation and parole systems in South Dakota and is given in recognition for those who have made a significant lifetime contribution to the corrections field in South Dakota. |
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Department of Corrections | Ken Cummings, Spearfish Parole Agent, was named the 2011 Parole Services Employee of the Year. |
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Department of Corrections | South Dakota State Penitentiary staff members Al Cramer, Matthew Freeburg and Jodi Hall were named Officers of the Year by the Sioux Falls Optimist Club. |
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Department of Corrections | Tonya Wright-Cook, STAR Academy Quality Assurance Director, was given a State Coordinator Achievement Award from the Performance-based Standards (PbS) project. |
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Department of Corrections | STAR Academy was presented with a Decade of Excellence plaque from the Performance-based Standards (PbS) project. |
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Department of Game, Fish, and Parks |
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Department of Labor and Regulation |
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