2014 State Employee Awards

Agency / Employee(s)	Awards and Honors
Department of Health	Lon Kightlinger, state epidemiologist, Pierre, received the Outstanding Contribution to Public Health Award in the 2014 Secretary’s Award Program. The award is presented annually to an employee who has made significant public health contributions over the course of a career. Dr. Kightlinger is the consummate public health professional, one who consistently champions the cause of public health and is a strong voice for data-drive and science-based approaches to health issues. She noted he is the "conscience of the department," the voice reminding us that we must follow the data wherever it leads and be committed to addressing the issues identified.
Department of Revenue	South Dakota Department of Revenue Senior Revenue Agent Bretta Bullion will be recognized on June 5 as the “SCORE Resource Partner of the Year” for 2014 as selected by SCORE. Senior Agent Bullion has helped SCORE accomplish its mission by attending the SCORE workshops conducted by the Sioux Falls Chapter and proving valuable tax information and licensing requirements to potential business owners. SCORE is a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration and is dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping amll businesses start, grow and succeed.
Department of Game, Fish & Parks	The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators has named Tony Stokely the 2014 Brook Brown Boating Officer of the Year. Stokely is a conservation officer for the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP); stationed in Elk Point. “Tony is highly experienced and knowledgeable in the field of boating enforcement and patrols one of the most unique and complex bodies of water in the state,” said Brandon Gust, GFP boating law administrator. “He patrols over 50 miles of river in the southeastern corner of the state and works in one of the only remaining stretches of water similar to what Lewis and Clark encountered on their historic expedition.” Gust acknowledged that Stokely is routinely faced with hazardous and unknown river conditions; yet has always excelled in his boating enforcement efforts. “Maintaining the safe use of our water resources is an important part of every conservation officer’s work; especially during the summer months,” Gust concluded. “Stokely continues to ensure boaters meet proper safety requirements and enforces state boating laws to preserve public safety.” About the Award: The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ (NASBLA) award is presented annually to the boating law enforcement officer who has made outstanding contributions to the field of boating law enforcement. The awards program consists of three levels: state, regional and national. State nominees are selected by the state boating law administrator. State nominees continue to regional competition, where they are reviewed, and one winner per region is selected by the three regional awards committees. Regional award winners are submitted to NASBLA’s Awards Committee for review and selection of the national award. The South Dakota award was renamed to honor a previous recipient and GFP conservation officer, Brook Brown. Brown lost his battle with cancer during the summer of 2012 and was well known for his contributions to the state’s boating enforcement and education efforts.
Department of Veterans Affairs	On the 15th of March 2014 the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home was awarded the Employer of the Year Award by the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce at their annual awards banquet. The Hot Springs Chamber selects winners from businesses that are nominated in various categories. This is the second time the State Veterans Home has been given this award. Tom & Laura Inman, Barb Beery, and Randy Meyer accepted the award on behalf of the State Veterans Home.