Bobbie Shafer of the Sherburne County Probation Dept. is the recipient of the first annual Minnesota Association of Community Corrections Act Counties (MACCAC)  Outstanding Supervisor Award.

 

She was presented the award by Sherburne County Probation Director J Hancuch during the luncheon at the MACCAC conference in Bloomington in front of more than 225 people in the corrections community.

 

“She’s been instrumental in all the changes that have taken place in our department,” says Hancuch.

 

Hancuch wrote a letter nominating Shafer, who was in the running for the award with a few hundred probation supervisors from 34 other counties.

 

“Bobbie is unequivocally a most deserving recipient of the MACCAC Outstanding Supervisor Award. Bobbie continually demonstrates outstanding leadership skills in the supervision of both the Sherburne County Community Corrections Juvenile and Adult Pre-trial Units, as well as remarkable commitment to the development of staff competency in evidenced-based practices,” he wrote, “…Bobbie leads by example; she is very knowledgeable in all areas of the department, she is a visionary, innovative and is constantly looking for creative ways to improve supervision of offenders and the department’s delivery of services. Bobbie has integrity and is a true confidant to the director and an asset to the entire management team.”

 

Shafer graduated from Mankato State University in 1995. After serving as an intern and case aid in Rice County, she was hired by Sherburne County in 1996. She was promoted to supervisor in 2009 and celebrated her 20th anniversary with the county last July. 

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be nominated and selected,” she says. “I was completely blown away.”

 

Shafer is one of three probation officers in the department. She credits the people around her for her success.

 

“I am fortunate to be surrounded by hard working and dedicated staff and also have the support and comradery of the other supervisors, Corey Mabis and Nicole Brummer, who are equally deserving. 

 

J (Hancuch) has been a great mentor and constant support. I have also made a lot of good connections across the state over the years and have truly valued those relationships,” she says. “I am continually learning. 

 

“Sherburne County has been a great place to work and has been very good to me. The cooperation and collaboration that I have experienced working with the other county departments has been great; in the end we are all working toward a common goal. All these things together have made my time in Sherburne County rewarding and my job a lot easier.”