ASIAN PACIFIC MONTH
June 11, 2008
The Arizona Department of Corrections honored our exceptional employees of Asian Pacific American heritage and their contributions to our flagship during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
Initially, a joint Congressional Resolution in 1978 established Asian Pacific American Heritage Week, which coincided with two important anniversaries - the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants on May 7, 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. In 1990, Congress expanded the observance as a month long celebration during the month of May.
During Asian Pacific Heritage Month, all of us who serve the state as members of the Arizona Department of Corrections had a special opportunity to learn more about one another, to share the spirit and richness of the Asian community and celebrate its culture whose cornerstones - family, faith and hard work - are characteristic of the considerable contributions to our community and our correctional system that our co-workers who are Asian Pacific Americans generously give.
Here, at ADC, correctional professionals who are Asian Pacific American ably represent us with excellence at every post and in nearly every position in our agency. In turn, this month is a special opportunity for us to honor them and their many contributions to our safety now, and later.
On May 23, the ADC hosted a special luncheon at the Carnegie Center in Phoenix. Christine Ong, an Arizona State University graduate and former anchor of the ASU Cronkite Newswatch emceed the event. Hula Hui O Le’a Le’a, who provided several examples of Pacific Island dancing, provided entertainment. The guest speaker was Leezie Kim, who is the General Counsel for Governor Janet Napolitano. Director Dora Schriro then presented “Dudley Do-Right” awards to 10 employees of Asian pacific heritage who had been nominated by their peers for being caught “doing the right thing.”
(Click name to see bio)
Officer Abad started his career with ADC in June 2005, and quickly distinguished himself at the Aspen Unit for exceptional work in every area in which he has served including mail and property and searches, and his willingness to take on special assignments.
Officer Abad also serves as a field training officer, mentoring newly graduated officers providing excellent advice and serving as an exceptional role model. He is a staff certified instructor and, just recently was selected as the complex’s Critical Incident Response Team leader. An avid student as well as an able instructor, he has completed the Professional Development Program and the Correctional Leadership Academy II and then last September, graduated from the Capitol Police Citizens’ Academy. CO Abad is currently is working on two undergraduate degrees, Psychology and Women’s Issues, at ASU West.
Officer Abad was one of many selfless staff who volunteered during the Hurricane Katrina Good Neighbor Operations at the Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum providing critical security services for evacuees. He has also served his community by participating in domestic violence and cancer fundraising events. Last year, Officer Abad ably represented ADC as a Torchbearer in the Law Enforcement Torch Run to raise money for Special Olympic athletes. He is a member of Knights of Columbus, a fraternal benefit society. He also serves as a chaplain for the Fraternal Order of Police.
Jun is of Filipino ancestry. He’s married with three children.
With two years experience as a security specialist in the United States Air Force, CO IV Debra Han joined the Department 11 years ago, starting her career as a correctional officer at ASPC-Yuma. As a correctional officer, she worked in nearly every position on the swing shift, in the Cheyenne Detention Unit and as inmate store officer. After gaining valuable experience as a CO II, she promoted to the position of Correctional Officer III in 2000. In this capacity she has carried a challenging caseload, and served as the WIPP and programs coordinator.
One of her many special assignments with exceptional results was the development of a computer based, pre-release reference guide for inmates. From the ground-up, our gal created a database from which inmates could obtain information about education and training, housing, support groups and employment plus the locations of public assistance, parole and social security offices. She also oversaw One Stop Presentations providing inmates with employment contacts in Yuma.
In October 2006, Debra transferred to ASPC-Tucson Santa Rita Unit. Just one month later she promoted to the unit’s CO IV. In April 2008, she transferred to Complex Programs now evaluating, tracking and interviewing DI 67 packets; overseeing the detention area’s operation; checking for compliance with DI 254 issues; and coordinating visitation activities.
CO IV Han is a self-starter and significant contributor in ADC as well as at her complex. Since its inception in May 2005, Debra has been an active member of the Labor Relations Advisory Council. She is also a subject matter expert in many areas including Classifications, Programs, Inmate Letters, Grievances, Inmate Legal Access and WIPP.
Ms. Han also participates in the CO III/CO IV Work Group which was formed to identify ways in which the two job classifications can work together to improve outcomes for inmates in each custody and supervision level. Ms. Han’s service to the community is also exemplary. She is a volunteer at the American Legion Post 109 and serves as a member of the “Lady Phantoms” Color Guard participating in funerals, retirement programs and parades, assisting families with their wedding preparations and most recently, participating in the ceremony unveiling a commemorative postage stamp in Arizona.
Currently, Debra is attending the University of Arizona pursuing her goal of earning a bachelors degree in criminal justice. She is married to George, a correctional officer assigned to ASPC-Tucson Complex Security and they have two sons. As a family, they enjoy going on walks with their dogs, hiking, taking in an occasional movie and shopping at the mall. Ms. Han’s background includes Hawaiian, Korean and Chinese ancestry.
Jowhar Karim began working for the Department four years ago as an Accounting Technician II in the ASPC-Perryville Business Office. Jowhar is involved in all areas of the business office including payroll, banking, travel reimbursement, purchasing and motor pool and warehouse transfers. These past two years he has been integral in the preparation of special reports/spreadsheets ensuring the complex remains within its allocated budget. His high level of productivity and exceptional work makes a really big difference in the overall operation of the business office and, his diligence contributed to Perryville’s year-end surplus.
Not surprisingly, he is also well known for sharing his expertise with others, earning the praise of staff well beyond the business office where his work is also recognized to always be of the highest quality. He is a willing volunteer for assignments that require exceptional detail and he always manages to complete them while maintaining a positive attitude. He recently made some cost saving suggestions, which were adopted by the Warden and are now paying dividends.
Our go-to guy is dedicated to his family and the sole caregiver for his mother and sister. He enjoys visiting his grandmother, and its other elderly residents, who live in a nursing home. For many years, he has also volunteered at an emergency shelter providing childcare for infants and young children.
To reach his goal of one day becoming a veterinarian, he is taking college courses. He also loves to breed and show Boxers at events in the United States and Europe where he has earned a world class reputation. Mr. Karim is of Fijian ancestry.
Brandon Keomaka started his career at ADC as a Corrections Officer at ASPC-Perryville in 1997, promoting to Sergeant in 2000 where he served as the training coordinator for his unit and then just two years later, transferred as a Special Investigator to the Security Threat Group. Before promoting to the Supervisor of the Central Office Communications Center (COCC) in 2005, Sam worked there as an Investigator III.
His co-workers all agree that Brandon is a real go-getter who approaches every task with enthusiasm and a strong work ethic, supporting the department’s three divisions and law enforcement agencies throughout Arizona with diligence. Everyone knows, he is also THE go-to guy when it comes to providing updated inmate mug shots and information on former inmates for DPS, MCSO and Phoenix PD, and for any number of operational issues at ADC.
The COCC receives a terrific number of telephone calls each day, all of which require immediate and individual attention. Brandon responds efficiently and appropriately to each one ensuring phone inquiries are resolved to each caller’s satisfaction and ensures the Executive gets timely and accurate notifications, day and night. As the supervisor of this busy unit, he leads the way with any number of best practices like recycling office supplies, purging files to create more space, and conserving energy whenever possible.
Just like his dad, Sam, he enjoys volunteering for staff appreciation events and State Employee Charitable Campaign functions. In his spare time, Brandon relishes the time spent with his wife, Nicki, and their two sons. He also volunteers at his church where he also helps troubled teens and youth.
Brandon looks forward to pursuing an academic degree as soon as time permits. He is of Hawaiian ancestry.
Mr. Sam Keomaka served with distinction for 24 years in the U.S. Army before retiring as a Master Sergeant. As a member of the military, he received several prestigious awards including a White House Service Certificate, three Army Meritorious Service Medals and an Army Recruiting Ring, the Army’s highest recruiting achievement award.
Since joining the Department in 1996 Sam has served in several capacities including recruitment manager for RUSH, a special investigation manager and a benefits supervisor. In February 2007, Sam transferred to the HR Operations Unit and we are all so much better for his participation. Here’s just one of many reasons. An employee was facing an overdue medical bill that insurance would not pay. His doctor no longer accepted state insurance yet his office continued to collect the employee’s co-pay and provide services. When the bill finally came in, the employee, quite frantic, contacted Sam for assistance. Sam’s intervention made the difference – the doctor waived the bill.
In every capacity in which Mr. Keomaka has served at ADC he’s been a key leader and role model for staff and an outstanding motivator, encouraging staff to do better in every facet of their lives, urging them to pursue academic degrees and lead healthier lifestyles by eating better and exercising more. Practicing what he preaches, Sam earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Occupational Education in Law Enforcement in 2002. He also lost 40 pounds. His staff following his lead has lost a collective 30 pounds.
Over the past four years, Sam has also been instrumental in coordinating the Department’s annual Golf Tournament to raise money for the 100 Club of Arizona. He relishes finding a location for the tournament each year, recruiting players, working at the registration table and then joining his son, Brandon, to golf in the tournament, often with very impressive results. This year, Sam led the Keomaka clan to a first place finish. Sam is also a community leader volunteering at his church, coaching Pop Warner Football, and serving as a Red Cross volunteer.
He is married to Elizabeth and has three children and the proud grandfather of two grandsons. Mr. Keomaka is of Hawaiian heritage. He and his wife maintain a house on one of the islands where they plans to retire one day – but no time soon.
Dr. Ronolfo Macabuhay or Doctor Mac as he is affectionately known is an exceptional practitioner who served in private practice for nearly four decades before joining ADC in 1998. As was the case in his previous practice, he’s the cornerstone of ASPC-Lewis’ Health Services, delivering quality medical care to 30 or more inmates a day plus emergency interventions, some of them saving his patients’ lives.
Dr. Mac is an outstanding member of the Medical Review and Continuous Quality Improvement Committees, processes designed to monitor and improve the daily health care of the population. He gives generously of his time and talent serving as the complex’s key contact physician. Despite the many hours he serves, he can always be counted upon for his outstanding interpersonal skills, great sense of humor, steadfast demeanor under extreme pressure and an superb work ethic – everything the doctor would order!
Dr. Mac also gives generously as a volunteer at his church and as a member of the Philippine Practicing Physicians in Arizona organization. He is a selfless supporter of the State Employees Charitable Campaign and other department-sponsored charitable efforts.
The healing profession runs deep in his family. His wife, Marylu, is a pediatrician, one son is an anesthesiologist and his other son, has a degree in medical technology. His place of origin is the Philippines.
