12-18-2006, 06:10 PM
North Dakota Game and Fish Department Director Terry Steinwand recently honored a number of employees with performance-based awards. Steinwand presented the following awards at the department's annual staff meeting Dec. 7. (Editor's note: photos available of award winners by emailing gfreeman@nd.gov)
· Bill Haase, Bismarck, received the Special Projects award, given to an individual or group of individuals who either successfully completed a project of short duration, or implemented a new project that is on its way toward being highly successful. Haase was recognized for his work with the North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton. "Bill merged an ongoing need for boat docks with the local expertise of faculty and students," Steinwand said. "As part of their welding and building curriculum, Bill provides oversight as students build and retrofit fishing docks to the highest standards."
· Greg Freeman, Bruce Kreft and Jeb Williams, all of Bismarck, also received the Special Projects award for their work in hosting the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies winter and summer meetings. "Their tireless, dedicated efforts went well above and beyond the standard of excellence," Steinwand said. "It is a difficult, time consuming and labor intensive effort to pull off two prestigious meetings such as these, and by most accounts, this was one of the most successful series of meetings the association has had. They set the standard to be matched by others."
· Casey Anderson, Bismarck, was presented with the Innovations award, which recognizes staff for implementing a process to improve department goals and objectives. Anderson was noted for his work on a waterfowl rest area PLOTS access program on areas around existing and new WRAs. "Casey's thoughtful and positive approach, along with his special skills in working with landowners and other staff, has resulted in a positive outcome for waterfowl hunters, landowners and the department," Steinwand said. "All told, the department has enrolled approximately 30,000 acres, which has provided quality waterfowl hunting opportunities in areas where such opportunities are becoming less available."
· Lisa Tofte, Devils Lake, received the Solid Foundation award, presented to an employee or group of individuals who demonstrate exemplary work in the administrative, technical or support field. According to Steinwand, Tofte is consistently competent, knowledgeable, proficient and courteous. "She possesses strong organizational skills that allow her to handle multiple tasks from all department divisions in a short timeframe," Steinwand said. "She is always ready and willing to help when new projects arise, and is the epitome of a Solid Foundation award recipient."
· Brett Wiedmann, Dickinson, received the Public Outreach award, presented to an employee for showing a significant effort, ability, or accomplishment in interacting with the public while promoting the department's programs. Wiedmann is the biologist primarily responsible for the management of bighorn sheep in North Dakota. "Brett is a tireless advocate and promoter of this special and unique wildlife resource," Steinwand said. "He has taken it upon himself to inform and educate the public about bighorn sheep habitat and management. He is an energetic and entertaining public speaker and manages to impress even the most cynical of audiences."
Brent Schwan, district game warden, Watford City, received the 2006 National Association of State Boating Law Administrators Officer of the Year award for North Dakota. Each state in NASBLA selects a person for a national award. Among the criteria for receiving the award is boating activity in regards to law enforcement, education, search and rescue, outreach and training. Schwan was recognized for his excellence in enforcing boat safety laws in North Dakota, according to Nancy Boldt, boat and water safety coordinator. "Officer Schwan is responsible for boat safety enforcement activities on more than 130 miles of Lake Sakakawea, as well as numerous smaller lakes in his district," Boldt said. "He especially excels at in the apprehension of boaters operating under the influence of alcohol. He also assists other officers, especially younger less experienced officers, in making BUI arrests, enforcing other boating laws and investigating boating accidents."
· Bill Haase, Bismarck, received the Special Projects award, given to an individual or group of individuals who either successfully completed a project of short duration, or implemented a new project that is on its way toward being highly successful. Haase was recognized for his work with the North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton. "Bill merged an ongoing need for boat docks with the local expertise of faculty and students," Steinwand said. "As part of their welding and building curriculum, Bill provides oversight as students build and retrofit fishing docks to the highest standards."
· Greg Freeman, Bruce Kreft and Jeb Williams, all of Bismarck, also received the Special Projects award for their work in hosting the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies winter and summer meetings. "Their tireless, dedicated efforts went well above and beyond the standard of excellence," Steinwand said. "It is a difficult, time consuming and labor intensive effort to pull off two prestigious meetings such as these, and by most accounts, this was one of the most successful series of meetings the association has had. They set the standard to be matched by others."
· Casey Anderson, Bismarck, was presented with the Innovations award, which recognizes staff for implementing a process to improve department goals and objectives. Anderson was noted for his work on a waterfowl rest area PLOTS access program on areas around existing and new WRAs. "Casey's thoughtful and positive approach, along with his special skills in working with landowners and other staff, has resulted in a positive outcome for waterfowl hunters, landowners and the department," Steinwand said. "All told, the department has enrolled approximately 30,000 acres, which has provided quality waterfowl hunting opportunities in areas where such opportunities are becoming less available."
· Lisa Tofte, Devils Lake, received the Solid Foundation award, presented to an employee or group of individuals who demonstrate exemplary work in the administrative, technical or support field. According to Steinwand, Tofte is consistently competent, knowledgeable, proficient and courteous. "She possesses strong organizational skills that allow her to handle multiple tasks from all department divisions in a short timeframe," Steinwand said. "She is always ready and willing to help when new projects arise, and is the epitome of a Solid Foundation award recipient."
· Brett Wiedmann, Dickinson, received the Public Outreach award, presented to an employee for showing a significant effort, ability, or accomplishment in interacting with the public while promoting the department's programs. Wiedmann is the biologist primarily responsible for the management of bighorn sheep in North Dakota. "Brett is a tireless advocate and promoter of this special and unique wildlife resource," Steinwand said. "He has taken it upon himself to inform and educate the public about bighorn sheep habitat and management. He is an energetic and entertaining public speaker and manages to impress even the most cynical of audiences."
Brent Schwan, district game warden, Watford City, received the 2006 National Association of State Boating Law Administrators Officer of the Year award for North Dakota. Each state in NASBLA selects a person for a national award. Among the criteria for receiving the award is boating activity in regards to law enforcement, education, search and rescue, outreach and training. Schwan was recognized for his excellence in enforcing boat safety laws in North Dakota, according to Nancy Boldt, boat and water safety coordinator. "Officer Schwan is responsible for boat safety enforcement activities on more than 130 miles of Lake Sakakawea, as well as numerous smaller lakes in his district," Boldt said. "He especially excels at in the apprehension of boaters operating under the influence of alcohol. He also assists other officers, especially younger less experienced officers, in making BUI arrests, enforcing other boating laws and investigating boating accidents."