Deb Minardi – 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award
Deb Minardi’s career in the probation field spans over 35 years, starting as a probation officer in 1980 to being named deputy probation administrator for the State of Nebraska, the title she holds today. She was integral in developing the Specialized Substance Abuse Program. This nationally-recognized, award-winning program serves as one of the probation department’s flagship prison alternative programs. She currently sits on the executive committee of the American Probation and Parole Board of Directors. Ms. Minardi has won numerous awards including the Supreme Court Employee Recognition Award—Outstanding Team (2012) and the American Probation and Parole Member of the Year (2014).
Bill Muldoon – 2015 Distinguished Service Award
Bill Muldoon is currently the director of the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Academy. He started his career in 1978 as police officer for the Omaha Police Department and went on to serve as chief of police for the Nebraska City Police Department from 2003 through 2006. He is active in the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training, having served as president in 2012-2013. Additional leadership roles he has held with the organization include vice president, chairman of the national decertification index and committee chair of strategic planning.
Gene Klein – 2015 Outstanding Community Service Award
Gene Klein is the executive director of Project Harmony, a position he has held since 2002. Under his leadership, Project Harmony has become a national model in responding to child maltreatment. He is a licensed social worker, having obtained his MSW from University of Nebraska Omaha in 1992. Mr. Klein is an active volunteer. He is a former chairman of the board of the National Children’s Alliance in Washington, D.C. and he serves on Governor Pete Rickett’s Commission for the Protection of Children. Additionally, he was appointed by the Nebraska Legislature to serve on the Children’s Commission.
Todd Schmaderer – 2015 Alumni Achievement Award
Todd Schmaderer is a dedicated police professional who joined the Omaha Police Department in 1996 as an officer. He excelled through the ranks and was named chief of police for the OPD in August of 2012. Chief Schmaderer leads the largest law enforcement agency in the State of Nebraska. He holds a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from the University of Nebraska Omaha and a master’s degree in the same discipline from the University of Cincinnati. Chief Schmaderer is very civic-minded and sits on the board of directors of many non-profit organizations, including Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands, National Health and Safety Council, and the Omaha Police Foundation. In 2012 he was appointed by Governor Heinemann to the Nebraska Crime Commission.
Tami Steensma – 2015 Rising Star Achievement Award
Tami Steensma holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Nebraska Omaha. She has been employed with the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Department since 1992, initially supervising at-risk youths. She has risen through the ranks and currently serves as the deputy director of juvenile service while overseeing a staff of 55 employees. Ms. Steensma has been the recipient of numerous awards including the National Juvenile Detention Association Employee of the Year Award and the Heartland Juvenile Detention Association Employee of the Year Award. She serves as a steering committee member for the Heartland Juvenile Services Association.