The following candidates are slated for the 2018 POPAI Fall Election:
President: Adam McQueen
Secretary: Cherie Wood
District 2:
- Cheryl Bartnick
- Ryan Hull
- Heather Malone
District 4: Lakisha Fisher
District 6: Andria Geigle
District 8: Mignon Ware
Article XII ELECTIONS
E. Voting
The President of the Association shall open the annual meeting of the Association for the election process. After the slate has been presented by the Election Committee, a vote by the voting membership of the Association shall be taken. Voting for Officers and District Representatives may be conducted by written ballot or by acclamation for uncontested elections.
Section 1. Request for Absentee Ballot. If a voting member cannot be present at the Annual Business Meeting, he/she may make a request to obtain an Absentee Ballot for the purpose of the election process by providing written notification to the Election Committee. Written notification to request an absentee ballot shall be received by the Election Committee no later than fifteen (15) business days prior to the annual meeting of the Association.
Section 2. Submitting Absentee Ballots. All Absentee Ballots must be submitted to the chair of the Election Committee by U.S. mail, via facsimile (fax), or via electronic mail at least three (3) business days prior to the first day of the annual meeting. Each ballot will be authenticated and tabulated in the manner provided by the Election Committee.
Election Chair: Melanie Pitstick – Melanie.Pitstick@indy.gov
200 E. Washington St. T-641 Indianapolis, IN 46204; Fax 317-327-4269
Election Committee: Bob Schuster, Sarah Lochner and Michael Coriell
We look forward to seeing you at the POPAI Fall Conference in French Lick!
Candidate Information
President: Adam McQueen (Uncontested)
Adam is currently the President of POPAI and has worked with Wayne County Probation for the past 12 years. In 2005, he graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and obtained his Master of Science in Management in 2013.
“In my last three years of involvement of POPAI leadership, my objectives have been to (1) purposefully seek out and promote progressive practices across the State of Indiana; (2) elevate POPAI’s influence through recruitment of new membership and cultivation of leadership; (3) acquire support of the Indiana General Assembly by engaging its members on the changing landscape of probation across the state.”
Secretary: Cherie Wood (Uncontested)
Cherie is currently the District 8 representative for POPAI and has been a Probation Officer for 18 years in Vanderburgh County. Cherie obtained her Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice from the University of Southern Indiana in 1994.
“I held the secretary position in the past and understand the importance of providing the accurate information to our members. Being on the POPAI Board enables me to stay connected with many officers around the State and remain updated on the continuous changes in our profession. My goal is to share that information with other officers, as well as be able to contribute meaningful insight to the other board members.”
District 2: (Contested) Cheryl Bartnick, Ryan Hull and Heather Gray Malone
Cheryl Bartnick
Cheryl has been an Indiana Probation Officer for the past 29 years and works with Allen County Juvenile Probation. She graduated from Ball State University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
Why do you wish to hold this position? “I think it is important to go above and beyond my “normal” duties of collaboration with professional organizations. During my 29 years as a probation officer, I have appreciated the opportunities to contribute both professionally and personally. I enjoy meeting fellow officers to support and promote the profession of Probation.”
What do you hope to accomplish as a POPAI Board Member? “While I was on the Judicial Advisory Board, I found it gratifying being on the education committee. Having the responsibility of providing important and interesting topics at conferences was challenging and rewarding. Having another opportunity to serve on a similar committee would be fulfilling. I hope to accomplish brining attention to Juvenile Probation Officers EBP programming that will offer alternative interventions to departments in dealing with at risk youth.”
Discuss the issues you view as most important to Probation in Indiana. “Officer safety is one of the most important issues. With the current climate of perpetrators ambushing police officers and the rise in police officers being killed, we need to make sure we don’t become complacent. We need to encourage/ensure every department has an Officer Safety and Procedure Manual that is enforced and relevant in today’s world. I would like to see more programming with juvenile probation departments instead of sourcing out the referrals. There is better control of quality insurance when the programming is provided by our officers.”
Ryan Hull
Ryan has been a Probation Officer for 11 years and currently is the Assistant Chief Probation Officer in DeKalb County. In 2007, he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Ball State University and his Master of Public Affairs from IUPUI-FW in 2015.
Why do you wish to hold this position? “I am a dedicated servant for striving for the consistent improvement of probation in Indiana. I hold a desire to keep POPAI relevant with probation officers in District 2 which will be achieved through strengthening contact and communication with the District 2 departments.
What do you hope to accomplish as a POPAI Board Member? “With the continued influx of probation, rather than going to jail or prisons, probation has become overloaded. As the District 2 Representative, I would assist in strengthening the momentum that has already been set in motion for funding probation programs, which have proven to work. Furthermore, I will be a strong voice for probation departments in District 2.”
Discuss the issues you view as most important to Probation in Indiana. “An issue that is important is to reexamine the caseload study that was completed several years ago and find ways to complete another study. As probation departments are following the dosage time as set forth by community corrections funds, probation officers are having to spend more overall time with an offender than in the past, therefore, it is important to achieve appropriate caseloads measures. This is an issue that has been on the table for a few years and would be very beneficial for all stakeholders.”
Heather Gray Malone
Heather has been a Probation Officer for 13 years and is the Chief Probation Officer for Huntington County. In 1993, Heather obtained her BA in Anthropology from Indiana University.
Why do you wish to hold this position? “I have always been involved in various boards throughout my career as a probation officer. I enjoy being a part of a board with like-minded people working towards a common goal. I also enjoy working with probation officers from other counties, being a part of the P.O.P.A.I. board would be an opportunity to get to know and work with different probation officers across the state.”
What do you hope to accomplish as a POPAI Board Member? “As a board member I would hope to contribute my knowledge from my years in probation and serving on various boards in Huntington County to help execute necessary and wanted changes in probation.”
Discuss the issues you view as most important to Probation in Indiana. “I am finding that caseloads for probation officers can vary significantly from county to county and that is something that needs to be addressed. I think continuing to work towards standards for the entire state of Indiana is important. I also see a lot of burn out from officers in my office who have been doing this job for a number of years, I would like to see some possible/training support on mental health for probation officers being offered.
District 4: Lakisha Fisher (Uncontested)
Lakisha has been a probation officer for 18 years and is the Pretrial Release Coordinator for Grant County. In 1997, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Central State University. She received her Master of Science in Public Administration/Criminal Justice from Ball State University in 2004.
“I would like to hold the position for District 4 POPAI Representative to bring new ideas on developing and maintaining public safety through supervision standards in conjunction with the Indiana Judicial Center. Also provide sounds knowledge in standardizing Probation Officer training and the delivery of probation services throughout the state. I would like to accomplish research and developing alternatives for incarceration while also providing protection for the public. Furthermore, identify and implement intermediate incentives/sanctions programs statewide.”
District 6: Andria Geigle (Uncontested)
Andria is the Chief Probation Officer in Montgomery County and has been a Probation Officer for 18 years. She obtained her Bachelor of Science from Indiana State University in 1998.
“I have learned so much the past two years as a District Representative and firmly believe that being a member of POPAI provides the opportunity for continued growth. I hope to be a support and voice for my District and surrounding counties.”
District 8: Mignon Ware (Uncontested)
Mignon is the Supervisor of the Alcohol and Drug Program in Vanderburgh County and has been a Probation Officer for 18 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Development and Social Relations from Earlham College which she obtained in 1996.
“I wish to stay connected and informed on issues of relevance to and for Indiana Probation Officers. While serving as a POPAI Board Member, I hope to be an effective liaison between the members of District 8, the POPAI Board, and the staff at the Office of Court Services. I understand that there are expectations attached to holding this position and I plan to carry out those duties to the best of my ability.”