Congratulations to RUO Steve Houck of the Carson City Correctional Facility! He is the 2007 MDOC Corrections Officer of the Year.

"It's a blessing from the Lord to be able to be a part of this," Houck said. "I am truly honored."

Houck has been with the department for 17 years, all of them at Carson City. Prior to that, he earned a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Northern Michigan University. He served as C/O until June of 1993, when he moved into his current position.

"RUO Houck's knowledge of policy and procedure is impeccable, resulting in a knack for training new staff. His professional demeanor, willingness to help and positive attitude contribute to positive staff morale and a more efficient operation," said Warden Thomas Bell.

Bell elaborated on how Houck offered innovative ideas toward improving the unit linen exchange system, and how he has been instrumental in improving the facility's count procedure by offering solutions that would minimize prisoner movement during the process. He also pointed out flaws in the store distribution system. His suggestions have resulted in a more accurate counting procedure, a more fluid store distribution process and a more cost effective and less time consuming means of distributing prisoner property.

Houck wears many hats, including working as an Emergency Response Team member, acting Hearings Investigator, Unit Fire/Sanitation Inspector, "Strategies for Thinking Positively" Instructor, Substance Abuse Instructor and Cell Extraction Trainer. He also serves as a varsity football coach, team mentor and power lifting coach who has led students to victory in national power lifting competitions held as far away as London. Many of the students he has mentored have gone on to become corrections officers, Michigan State Police troopers and military veterans. In addition Houck is a faithful and active member of his church, serving as a youth leader in local community churches for nearly seven years.

Recently Houck was especially touched by the fruit of his service to the community. One of his former football players had completed a second tour of duty in Iraq. The soldier approached Houck at a football game with a special presentation and said, "Two of the most important people in my life are you and my dad, and I wanted to give you our company flag."

"He holds a leadership role on whatever team he's a member of. He actively seeks opportunities to learn and experience personal growth, and regularly volunteers to take on additional tasks and train in different areas," Bell said. "As a result of his experiences, he is a well-rounded and educated resource that others may utilize."

That well-rounded persona includes quality time with his family. He is the proud husband to wife Amy and father to five sons, Tom, Caleb, Chris, Ryan and Evan. He is incredibly proud of his children's accomplishments and enjoys just being - as he put it - "a dad, chauffeur and my kids' biggest fan."

"My family means everything to me," Houck said. "I try to be someone they can be proud of."

"Steve believes in doing the right thing, regardless of personal pride or peer pressure," Bell said. "He sets a fine example for his fellow officers and represents the Michigan Department of Corrections in a positive light."

The State Standards Committee of the Michigan Correctional Officer's Training Council selected Houck from a pool of 46 nominees from across the state that are held in high regard by their colleagues. Each nominee was judged on their service to the department, MDOC policy compliance, professionalism, work ethic and communications skills.

"It's very humbling," Houck said. "The candidates themselves are a reflection of the kind of people it takes to make something like this possible."

The State Standards Committee of the Michigan Correctional Officer's Training Council consists of Luella Burke, retired warden; Timothy McCormick, director of Organizational Support, Office of Workforce Development and Retirement Administration for the Department of Management and Budget; Barry McLemore, deputy director of Risk Assessment Administration for the Department of Corrections; and Andrew Potter, C/O at Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility and vice president of the Michigan Corrections Organization.

Michigan Department of Corrections, FYI Newsletter 020807