Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke presented Judicial Branch Recognition Awards to individuals and team members on October 20, 2026, during the Nebraska Judicial Branch’s 18th annual recognition event.

The Employee Recognition Committee selected 13 individuals and one team from the nominations submitted. Candidates for the awards were chosen and nominated by their supervisors and colleagues in their courts and probation offices. The program aims to recognize the ongoing dedication by court and probation employees, acknowledge exemplary contributions, and encourage employee commitment.

In opening the ceremony, Chief Justice Funke noted, “Often the general public thinks of government as a machine made up of cogs, and of the judicial branch as a collection of detached decisionmakers somewhere far away. But in reality, government is made of regular people who have committed their lives to serving others, too often those people are overlooked for the vital work of this exceptional institution. Good government and good decisions require the work of good people.”

Employees were honored by members of the Nebraska Supreme Court, along with State Court Administrator Corey Steel, and State Probation Administrator Gene Cotter outlining the individual contributions of each award recipient. The awards are the highest honor given by the Nebraska Supreme Court, recognizing meritorious performance by court and probation employees in the Nebraska Judicial System. There are over 1,800 employees in the judicial system in court and probation offices statewide.

Award Recipients for 2026 include:

Employee of the Year

• Sherri Dennis, Deputy Chief Information Officer

Outstanding Probation Office Support Staff (the Jean Miller Memorial Award)

• Katie Birdwell, District 3A

Outstanding County Court Staff

• Janet Spencer, Adams County

Outstanding Probation Officer (the LaDonna Snell Probation Officer Award)

• Zachary Peet, District 3J

Outstanding County Court Supervisor

• Teresa Andersen, Douglas County

Outstanding Probation Supervisor (the Bob Keller Memorial Award)

• Sarah Ryba, District 5

Outstanding County Clerk Magistrate/Judicial Administrator

• Pam Cardenas, Douglas County
• Melissa Ireland, Lancaster County

Outstanding Clerk of the District Court (the Marjorie Schaffer Memorial Award)

• Tiffany Burton, Furnas County

Outstanding Customer Service

• Kathy Lewis, Operations

Excellence in Judicial Branch Leadership

• Josh McDougall, First Judicial District
• Mandy Klipp, First Judicial District

Outstanding Team

• Emerging Adult Case Management Training Team

Outstanding Administrative Employee

• Tara Bos, Programs and Services Specialist

Top Photo: Nebraska Supreme Court Justices and Judicial Branch Recognition Award Recipients

Right Photo: Nebraska State Court Administrator Corey Steel speaks during ceremony