May 08, 2023
Contact: Chris Gautz
(517) 256-3790
Lansing, Mich. - Resident Unit Manager (RUM) James King and Acting Assistant Deputy Warden Nicholas White at the Central Michigan Correctional Facility were selected as the 2023 Michigan Department of Corrections Director's Award winners for their efforts in assisting the facility with recruitment. The two planned and executed recruiting events in the community and hosted more than 200 interviews.
MDOC Director Heidi Washington presented RUM King and A/Assistant Deputy Warden White with the Director's Award at the Department's Employee Appreciation Banquet on Thursday, May 4, in Lansing.
The Director's Award is the highest honor awarded to employees of the MDOC. RUM King and A/ Assistant Deputy Warden White also received the Department's Professional Excellence Award for recognizing burnout among their colleagues due to working several hours of overtime each week and taking action to help relieve them. The two worked as a team, partnering with local agencies to bring awareness of careers at their facility and with the Department. They developed marketing material and organized volunteers for the events. They arranged for applicants to experience the whole interview process at their recruiting events, even making sure each applicant had access to computers to submit their applications on the spot.
"Resident Unit Manager King and Acting Assistant Deputy Warden White's innovation and willingness to step up and help their colleagues in a time of need is an excellent example of teamwork," said Director Washington. "RUM King and A/Assistant Deputy Warden White's leadership relieved their colleagues and boosted morale at their facility. It is an honor to have them as members of Team MDOC."
RUM King has worked for the Department for nearly 20 years, and A/Assistant Deputy Warden White has worked for the Department for 23 years.
"It's a great career," said RUM King. "You have the opportunity to work with great people and be a part of the team while keeping the public safe."
The pair's work has allowed their facility to drop its vacancy rate to only 5%, which has boosted morale in the facility.
"We can't do it all ourselves," explained RUM King. "We have a group of 12 that consistently volunteers to help us, and the support from the facilities administration has been a huge asset."
The Director's Award is traditionally awarded to a single person who displays excellent work ethic, leadership, and professionalism. This year is the first time the Director's Award has been awarded to two individuals.
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