Native American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month

National American Indian And Alaskan Native Heritage Month

May 8, 2008

On November 26, the Arizona Department of Corrections celebrated it’s Native American employees with a buffet luncheon at the Desert Garden Center in Phoenix. Sgt. Leticia Perez emceed the event and guest speakers included Policy Advisor for Tribal Affairs Marnie Hodahkwen and Arizona Representative Albert Tom.

Director Dora Schriro says the ADC is proud of its Native American staff and is pleased to honor their exceptional contributions to the department and the communities where they live. The following people have been nominated by their fellow employees for “Dudley Do-right” awards and are congratulated for being caught “Doing the right thing.”

National American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month has it’s roots in a 1915 Congress of American Indian Associations proclamation, which set aside one day a year as American Indian Day. In 1990, President George Bush approved a joint congressional resolution, designating November as "National American Indian Heritage Month."

(Click name to see bio)

COII Matthew Bailey, ASPC-Perryville/Santa Rosa Unit

CO II Matthew Bailey, a member of the Cherokee tribe, served in the United States Marine Corp for four years. He saw action in the Middle East as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation: Enduring Freedom. He finished his military tour of duty and returned to the states. In December 2004, he started his correctional career at the Brent Lumley Unit at Perryville, where he learned the challenges of managing higher level security female inmates including Death Row and Maximum and Medium custody populations. He exceeded as a Kitchen Security Officer, managing the challenges inherent in the position, balancing security with the need to feed in a timely manner.

In June 2006, Officer Bailey transferred to the Santa Rosa Unit at Perryville, where he met a new set of challenges working in a minimum-security unit, his first involvement with male inmates. Officer Bailey has shown himself to be quite adept in the preparation and execution of large-scale movement as Perryville prepares to change Santa Rosa from a male unit to a female unit. In his tenure with ADC, Officer Bailey has established himself as an invaluable member of the swing shift security staff, a mentor and capable model to newer staff.

In his spare time, Matthew enjoys restoring cars and serving as a training advisor for martial arts in the United States Marine Corps. He is married to Paulina and has 2 children, Mirka, age 7, and Izabella, age 2.

CO II Candace Bojorquez, ASPC-Florence/North Unit

Officer Candace Bojorquez joined ADC in February 2006. During her relatively short tenure she is already standing out as an outstanding officer.

Office Bojorquez has earned the respect of her peers, always at the ready to assist others complete their tasks, not letting her own assignments falter. She serves as lead officer in her assigned area and, at the same time runs the sanitation crew, with a sparkling yard to show for her team’s efforts. Officer Bojorquez completes all of her tasks with a positive attitude, adhering to a high standard of excellence.

When she is not at work, Officer Bojorquez volunteers her time as an assistant soccer coach. She enjoys working with children, and is a terrific model conveying a strong work ethic and positive attitude. As a coach, she believes it is more important to promote sportsmanship than winning.

Officer Bojorquez understands the need for preserving the environment by recycling paper products at home and at work. She even makes note pads out of outdated paperwork to ensure department resources are maximized.

Officer Bojorquez’ is married to Jose. They have two sons, Phoenix and Justice.

Officer Bojorquez is a member of the Zuni Pueblo tribe.

CO II Eugene Dillon, ASPC-Phoenix/Globe Unit

Officer Eugene Dillon, born and raised on the San Carlos Apache reservation, has been with the Arizona Department of Corrections since 1998. Eugene supervises the inmate work crew assigned to the city of Globe and is our public relations point person in the community. He also oversees Globe’s Habitat for Humanity project and on many occasions has driven a transportation bus during large inmate movements and special projects.

Eugene is a 17-year member of the Arizona National Guard … a Sergeant specializing in Transportation who served our country and state in Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. While there he was attached to the Marines and assisted in the rebuilding of the city of Fallujah. Following, his earlier tour of duty in Iraq Officer Dillon felt compelled there were things that still needed to be done. He returned for a third tour of duty in Iraq, just recently returned to his family in San Carlos.

Just weeks ago, Officer Dillon was selected by his supervisors to ride on the annual Veterans Day Parade float sponsored by the Arizona Department of Corrections.

Eugene enjoys hunting, fishing and gardening with his family of six children. Eugene Dillon is respected by all of his peers and those among the community for his many contributions to them and to our country.

COII Steven Garza, ASPC-Lewis/Morey Unit

Officer Steven Garza started with the Department in 1998 at ASPC-Florence South Unit, transferring to ASPC-Lewis Morey Unit in 2000.

Officer Garza is usually the first on the scene to any incident that may arise, ready to assist the shift commanders. For example, on October 27 of this year, Officer Garza was called to work and assist with investigations of a disturbance that took place earlier in the evening at Morey Unit. Due to Officer Garza's knowledge of the inmate population, SSU staff was able to determine that it was an isolated incident instigated by a practical joke that was played on an inmate. Thanks to the diligence of Officer Garza and his fellow staff members, the inmates involved in the incident were quickly isolated from the inmate population to prevent retaliation or any further incidents.

Officer Steven Garza has been married to Kimm Garza for 10 years. Steve and Kimm have two wonderful children, their daughter Stephanie, age 9 and their son Alex, age 5. He is a proud member of the Tohono O’odham Nation.

Administrative Secretary Terri Little, ASPC-Winslow/Administration

Terri Little has been employed at Arizona State Prison Complex – Winslow one year. In that year she is already distinguishing herself as an exemplary employee. Terri exudes a high level of professionalism in her appearance and demeanor. Among her many responsibilities, Terri proofreads and reviews all “Use of Force” reports submitted by the units, ensuring the reports are accurate and timely. She is conscientious about reviewing calendars for activities of the following day and sending out reminders to ensure staff participation and timelines are met. Terri adjusts her own personal schedule so that she is available to take minutes at meetings or provide administrative support.

Terri is an active member of the Winslow community supporting many charitable efforts, demonstrating her athletic abilities teaching aerobics each week at the Winslow Indian Health Center. On Fridays between the hours of midnight and 4 a.m., when most of us are sound asleep, Terri volunteers her time at a local homeless shelter providing services to those in need.

Terri and her husband, BJ, are proud parents to Timothy and Brianna. She is a dedicated wife and mother ensuring that her children are involved in T-Ball, soccer, church functions and traditional Native American celebrations.

Terri is a member of the Navajo tribe.

CO III Travis Pinney, ASPC-Eyman/Meadows Unit

CO III Travis Pinney has been with the Department since 1997 serving as a correctional officer at the Rynning, SMU II and Meadows Units. In 2005, after accepting a promotion to CO III, he transferred to SMUI and then Meadows Unit. His assignment to inmate recreation programs has allowed him to develop a variety of plans and programs. Through his initiative, he developed a user-friendly computer program for organizing and tracking recreation information. COIII Pinney regularly adjusts his work hours making it possible to hold inmate functions in the evening such as game tournaments, bingo and movie night. COIII Pinney is eager for implementation of the Earned Incentive Program, as he has already begun developing plans to make recreation opportunities available in all three phases.

CO III Pinney is a strong advocate of recreational programs for inmates. He believes it fosters individual self worth and fosters acceptance of cultural diversity. It is a time when inmates regardless of their race or ethnicity come together and learn positive interpersonal skills. According to COIII Pinney, participation in recreational activities is something inmates do for themselves and in doing so adopts valuable life lessons.

CO III Pinney enjoys sporting activities and spending time with his two beautiful daughters. He is a member of the Seminole Tribe.

CO III Sheryl Bowman Rigby, ASPC-Tucson/Catalina Unit

She began her career as a Correctional Officer at Tucson’s Cimarron Unit ten years ago and now, Sheryl Bowman Rigby is a CO III at Rincon. Her reputation as a professional and her skills as a WIPP Officer caught the attention of her supervisors who recruited her to work at Catalina Unit.

As the unit’s WIPP Coordinator, she was tasked with developing job assignments for 300 inmates when Unit Management Teams were implemented in June 2006. COIII Rigby assists in coordinating job interviews with Complex staff and IGA work crew supervisors. She is a supporter of direct supervision and continues to be an active participant in unit management. She helps mentor new staff, not only for programs but also security personnel. She is always willing to assist staff and the public and frequently receives compliments on her phone demeanor.

In addition to her regular duties, she has been appointed as EEO liaison for Catalina Unit, and is on the Catalina Unit’s Victim Rights Committee. As a member of unit’s conservation committee, she has provided the unit with many cost saving measures in the area of WIPP such as ensuring gate logs are electronically sent to the inmate work crew supervisors so that no inmate gets paid more than the hours worked.

Sheryl Rigby is also an exceptional single mom, supporting her two children, Tyler and Andrea, setting a standard for her children, she earned her ACA certification as a Correctional Supervisor in 2005.

She is a member of the Creek Tribe.

CO II Georgina Shriber, ASPC-Lewis/Rast Unit

Officer Georgina Shriber began her career with the department in 1999 serving at the ASPC-Winslow, Kaibab Unit. Following her initial assignment at the Winslow Complex, she relocated to the Phoenix area and began working at the Lewis Complex, Morey Unit where she remained until 2001. After leaving the department for a short time, Officer Shriber reinstated in March 2004. She completed the regional academy at Perryville and was then assigned to the Rast Unit at the Lewis Complex.

Officer Shriber is recognized by her peers for her leadership and commitment to service. She is an individual who is quietly competent and has been a source of stability and positive energy at the Rast Unit. She has worked both the yard and the Rast Detention Unit.

She is counted upon by her colleagues for her common sense tactics and controlled response to the many situations that arise while working a close custody unit. She is a great representative of the complex and she is regularly willing to go the “extra mile” and make the “extra effort” to accommodate all requests.

Officer Shriber was recognized as the Rast Unit Uniformed Officer of the Month in June 2006.

Georgina Shriber is a member of the Navajo Tribe. Her parents still live on the Big Reservation in Northern Arizona. This past year, CO II Shriber gave birth to her third child, Kaya, a beautiful baby girl. She is married to Anthony and they are also the proud parents of sons, Joshua and Brandon. She is diligent about her children maintaining contact with their relatives, learning traditional Navajo customs and practices.

CO II Elverez Titla, ASPC-Safford/Graham Unit

CO II Elverez Titla joined ADC one year ago. He is currently assigned to the Graham Kitchen where he has reduced expenditures by closely monitoring diet compliance and reduced theft through employing best security practices. He has also elevated the sanitation and cleanliness standards of the kitchen by ensuring all inmates regardless of their job title takes ownership and pride in what they do.

Officer Titla is the unit’s subject matter expert when it comes to Native American culture and is frequently depended upon to address questions and concerns regarding sacred Native American items.

In addition to his regular job, CO II Titla has been going to school and is near completion of a criminal justice degree. He is supported by his spouse Jillian and his three children, Cambria, Candace and Ethan in his endeavors. He is also an avid hunter and possesses a great sense of humor. CO II Titla is a proud member of the Apache Indian Tribe.

Staff Manager Delbert Tso, Support Services Division/Human Services Bureau

Delbert Tso is currently the Staffing Manager in the Human Services Bureau, appointed to this position in October 2007. Just before, Delbert was the Manager of the Selection and Testing Unit for almost 6 years during which time Delbert conducted a full assessment of the CPR process and improved business processes. He also led the promotional process improvement team, a Blue Ribbon Panel recommendation. This team recommended a number of changes to the promotional process including time in service changes, stronger testing standards, and additional tests in some cases. Although these recommendations meant significant additional duties and responsibilities, he greeted the changes with an open mind. With little assistance from others, Delbert built entirely new exams for each of the CPR classifications. He also created in-basket exercises for the Captain and CO IV promotional exams. These new exams required gathering volunteer SMEs from around the state and cultivating their ideas and experiences to build the test processes. The transition to the new changes went smoothly because of Delbert’s customer service skills and positive “can do” attitude.

Delbert continues to display his loyalty to the agency on a daily basis. He stops in every day to check on the new CPR Manager and offers training and/or assistance to ensure continued success of the unit.

Delbert was born and raised on the Navajo reservation in northern Arizona. He attended boarding school and public high school in Tuba City, Arizona. Delbert often travels back to see his mother and other family members in the tiny community of Cameron, just north of Flagstaff.

Delbert keeps busy with his family, wife Beth and two boys, Andrew and Ethan, and with his community in north Phoenix. For the past three years, Delbert has volunteered on behalf of the Desert Mission Food Bank food drives, helping to raise over 1,500 pounds of donated can food items. For the past few years, Delbert has also kept busy with the Phoenix Bahai Faith community, where he has served on several committees including teaching, race unity, and other standing committees.

CO III Oscar Yonnie, ASPC-Winslow/ Kaibab Unit

CO III Oscar Yonnie began his career with the Arizona Department of Corrections in June 1986 as a Correctional Service Officer I. Just two years later he promoted to Correctional Programs Officer I, and then in 1989 to Correctional Programs Officer II, now the Correctional Officer III series.

Correctional Officer III Yonnie is a highly dedicated employee who is keenly aware of the importance of security. He conducts himself in a professional manner and treats everyone with respect and fairness. He is a self-motivated individual who possesses an in-depth knowledge of programs and security. With the new Inmate Corrections Plan that has recently been implemented, he is ensuring inmates have the necessary skills to succeed upon release.

CO III Yonnie’s positive influence and gentle leadership make him an excellent mentor for new staff. He is knowledgeable about the grievance process and always goes the extra mile to resolve issues at the lowest possible level.

CO III Yonnie is a single parent raising three boys, Christian, William, and Faustino. He is hoping that through his positive influence his three sons will excel, maybe follow in his footsteps.

CO III Yonnie also served for four years in the U.S. Army as an E5 – Sergeant.

He is a proud member of the Navajo Tribe.

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