CO II Rey Holguin joined the Arizona Department of Corrections in September 1994, after having served in the United States Army for three years.  He began his ADC career at the Manzanita Unit when it was a female unit. He then transferred to Complex Security where he quickly distinguished himself as an exceptional employee and was recruited to be the transportation officer. Officer Holguin has earned the respect of his peers and supervisors by his competence, responsiveness and dedication to his job.  He was instrumental in developing and instructing a transportation class for staff during the recent measles outbreak. Officer Holguin worked different shifts, training staff who had already been vaccinated so that coverage would be there if needed. 

CO II Holguin joined the ASPC-Tucson Tactical Support Unit and has served in an exceptional manner by holding positions as team leader, assistant squad leader and sniper.   He is also actively involved in training classes and routinely evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of his team members to assist those who may need additional training.

CO II Rey Holguin currently coaches a little league team and in the past has assisted with cooking meals at a children’s shelter.

CO II Carlos Fernando La Madrid joined the Arizona Department of Corrections in September 2006, and is currently assigned to the ASPC-Douglas Papago Unit as a swingshift officer.  He is an asset to the Department and exemplifies the spirit and intent of this award. He is graduate of La Salle University at Cuidad Obregon in Sonora, Mexico, and is a licensed lawyer in Mexico.  While his primary job is with ADC, he still helps his family manage their business in Agua Prieta, Sonora.

Officer La Madrid’s co-workers have described him as the “Energizer Bunny” incarnate, full of boundless energy and enthusiasm!  He is sought out for advice by supervisors and peers alike for assistance with editing of reports and documents, as well as computer-related issues.  Officer La Madrd strives to help his co-workers in areas that are not part of his routine responsibilities.  He is a personable and positive figure in the unit and has already earned the respect of his colleagues through his strong work ethic and professional demeanor.

Officer La Madrid is truly an outstanding member of the community.  He is currently sponsoring a 13-year-old, cross country runner by outfitting him with sports attire and  providing financial support for trips to all his sporting events.  He also volunteers his time to serving the needs of elderly citizens by helping them with food, clothing and transportation needs.

Officer La Madrid recently married Veronica Ortiz, who is a also a licensed lawyer in Mexico.  They are planning on taking the necessary courses to pass the bar exam in the United States.

Ms. Maria Pena-Hughes has worked for the Arizona Department of Corrections for 22 years.  She started in January 1986, as a secretary for Complex Security at ASPC-Douglas.  Along the way, she has worked as an Administrative Secretary I, II and III at Mohave Programs, Gila Unit, Eggers Unit and most currently at Complex Administration.

Ms. Pena-Hughes is willing to pitch in where and whenever needed, helping to make things work for ASPC-Douglas.  She is an invaluable employee who is highly skilled and motivated and not afraid to extend herself in any capacity to assist her co-workers.  She has been a critical part of many ADC special projects including strategic rollouts, the Eggers Unit Anniversary celebration and the Grooming and Dress Policy Committee.

Ms. Pena-Hughes is very proactive in developing new work methods that reduce waste or stretch resources. She is a proponent of recycling paper whenever possible.   She has also been a leader in e-mailing completed electronic forms to reduce the amount of copier paper used.  Finally, Maria has been a leader in sharing office supplies complex-wide to cut back on expenditures.

Ms. Pena-Hughes works tirelessly in her position as secretary, handling an exceptionally busy work load efficiently and effectively, while also being extremely helpful to all other staff in the prison.  Her supervisors and co-workers have described her as a go-getter who approaches all projects with great enthusiasm.  She is fluent in Spanish and is always willing to assist with translation requests.

Maria has made a positive difference in the community by volunteering her time and energy to many community-related functions, including serving as club treasurer for her daughter’s swim team and being an all around dedicated soccer mom.

CO II Aaron Salcido began working for the Arizona Department of Corrections in June 1998, at the ASPC-Phoenix Globe Unit where he was assigned as the shift officer for two years.  During his career, he has successfully supervised inmates from varied posts, including housing management, work crews, tool control, perimeter security, and inmate transportation.  In June 2006, Officer Salcido was transferred to the Aspen Unit where he worked graveyard shift and then was transferred to operations as a visitation officer.  Most recently, he was assigned to Alhambra Unit where he works as a crew supervisor managing inmate paint and sanitation crews, as well as serving as the back-up officer for records, retention and work order processing.  He is also the staff instructor for self-defense classes.

Officer Salcido is hailed as a role model and mentor.  According to his supervisor, his organizational ability, attention to detail and tenacious attitude have served him well.  He is credited for working non-traditional hours to provide support in areas that may be understaffed.  He regularly assists with scanner details for yard traffic, as well as provides security in the dining area when staffing is at a minimum.  Once there is no further need for him in these areas, he returns to his assigned work task.

Officer Salcido also lends his support to complex functions by assisting yard maintenance with cleaning and mowing the kennel area.  By doing this, he frees up the complex work crew supervisors who are tasked with other transportation duties or are posted in other areas.  This is just one example of how he has become an asset to the complex  - - as a tried and true team player. 

In addition to his self-starter initiative to accomplish what needs to be done, the quality of his work is outstanding. Officer Salcido is proactive in trying to reduce costs through judicious ordering of equipment and making the best use of salvaged equipment to keep tools operational.  He has also presented a cost saving proposal for the use of electric razor usage for the transitory inmate population.  This proposal is currently under review.

Officer Salcido is actively involved in the Department’s annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Campaign, which benefits Special Olympics.  He also makes a difference in the community by volunteering as a wrestling couch for junior high and high school teams.

Ms. Maggie Urena began her career with the ADC in 1994 as a Correctional Officer.  During the two years she was an officer, her supervisors applauded her for having a positive attitude, readily taking on additional responsibilities and completing her assignments on time and with an exacting attention to detail.  She has been described as someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty and for being a role model for the spirit of continuous improvement. In addition, her mastery of the Spanish language came in handy when managing the inmate population.

Ms. Urena had a brief break in service and was rehired in November 1998 as a Correctional Records Clerk II.  Since then, she has steadily promoted through the ranks attaining her current position of Time Comp Manager in 2002.  She oversees the Offender Information/Inmate Records Units by providing thorough and consistent support to staff and to outside customers.  Her unit regularly receives compliments from law enforcement agencies across the state. Ms. Urena is thorough in her work, as she routinely notes changes in an inmate’s status and will make numerous follow-up calls to advise the units of detainers and other issues that may impact a custody level.

She consistently meets work production requirements and deadline expectations even without having four critical positions staffed in her unit.  Ms. Urena guarantees workloads are adjusted to gain maximum efficiency and she keeps abreast of OIU policies and procedures ensuring her staff are up to date on any changes. She has also taken the initiative to move the Department forward by providing release-planning training for our CO IIIs to ensure consistency in their procedures for inmates transitioning back to the community.

Maggie has been actively involved through the years with the State Employees Charitable Campaign, the Law Enforcement Torch Run Campaign for Special Olympics and Yuma’s Employee Fund.  She is also a peer assessment audits subject matter expert, and for her skills in this area, she was recognized as the ASPC-Yuma Supervisor of the Month.

In her off duty time, Maggie enjoys dancing, outdoor activities, especially boating and motorcycle riding, and is a member of the Law Dogs (law enforcement) Motorcycle Club.  She is also the mother of three adult children.  Her oldest son is a sergeant in the United States Army currently stationed at Ft. Hauchuca where he will begin airborne training for eventual deployment to Iraq.  Maggie is also the grandparent of five granddaughters and beams with pride when speaking about them.  She is also the owner of “Gunner” a Jack Russell terrier who is in training to go “tubing” with the family behind their boat and maybe even motorcycle riding!.

Ms. Crystal Renee Vasquez joined the Department in 2006, as an Administrative Secretary II in Operations at ASPC-Douglas.  In March 2007, she promoted to her current position of Information Technology Specialist II. 

Ms. Vasquez is the ACJIS Operator for the Douglas Complex and in this capacity she has managed to exceed the number of background checks run each month as compared to previous months.  In addition to being the ACJIS Operator, she is also the AIMS Coordinator for the complex.  Ms. Vasquez uses her technological and organizational skills to address immediate problems and concerns staff may have with their computers.  She has extensive knowledge of the computer network, peripherals, and front end user support.  She also supports the inmate phone system by assisting with customers and the help desk when needed.

She has voluntarily taken on the role of military support liaison for the Douglas Complex.  Since assuming her new responsibility, she was instrumental in coordinating the first ever ADC Veterans Fair.  It was acknowledged to be a great success and one that other prisons could emulate.  To assist her in her new role as military support liaison, she has completed CIRT, Vicarious Trauma and Advanced CIRT classes.  Her exemplary efforts as ASPC-Douglas’ military support liaison have not gone unnoticed, as she has been recognized by the Director’s Office for her work in supporting our military personnel.  Also, the Douglas Complex Military Support Team has been named the “pilot complex” to initiate new changes that will be made statewide.

Ms. Vasquez has proudly served her country as an active duty member and reservist of the United State Air Force.  She was deployed as part of military operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch.  Currently, she is a member of a Combat Search and Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.  Ms. Vasquez regularly volunteers her time to the Family Readiness Support Team, providing assistance to families and loved ones of military staff who are serving their country.

CO III Francisco J. Vasquez began his career with the Arizona Department of Corrections in 1998, as a Correctional Officer.  After several years of working as a Correctional Officer, Mr. Vasquez promoted to Sergeant charged with supervising eight staff at the Papago Unit.  Just three years later, Sergeant Vasquez promoted to his current position of Correctional Officer III at the Gila Unit.

As a CO III, Mr. Vasquez is a quick study and excellent problem solver when it comes to managing a caseload of approximately 120 inmates with ever changing needs and challenges.  He also volunteered to serve as the recreation officer overseeing all the inmates’ activities. As the recreational officer, he has already made a noticeable improvement by converting monthly reports to an Excel format making inventory tracking much easier.  He also began attending A & R meetings where his input as been helpful in managing the Gila Unit’s property. 

Just this last April, CO III Vasquez transferred to the position of Programs Coordinator. In this assignment, he has mastered the lesson plans for four ADC core programs so he can provide knowledgeable facilitation and guidance in this area.  CO III Vasquez once again used his Excel programming skills to reconstruct the selection, attendance and reporting of program participation.