IPI Staff Honored at 2025 IDOC Employee Recognition Ceremony

Each year, the Iowa Department of Corrections hosts its annual Employee Recognition Ceremony to honor its employees who go above and beyond in and outside of their duties. This year, IPI had three outstanding staff members who were either nominated or honored with awards at the event.

Chad Bildstein (pictured center) received a nomination in the Special Recognition category for his unwavering dedication to Chelsey's Dream Foundation, created in memory of his sister Chelsey, who passed away from uterine and ovarian cancer in 2014. For nearly 11 years, Chad has played a vital role in the foundation's efforts—organizing and supporting fundraising events, adoption seminars, board meetings, and presenting financial assistance to families navigating the costly adoption process. To date, the foundation has helped 97 families adopt 134 children, with Chad's commitment being key to its continued growth and impact.

Chad also accepted an award on behalf of his fellow Anamosa staff member Terry Brownell, who was honored with the Meritorious Service Award. On January 26th, Jones County received about three inches of fresh snow—great news for snowmobilers. However, strong winds up to 45 mph quickly created extremely dangerous conditions. In response, the Jones County Sheriff's Department reached out to Terry, who is President of the Jones County Snow Chasers. Terry quickly alerted club members via Facebook to be on standby. By 6 p.m., Terry and Lindsay Brownell began receiving calls about stranded motorists on Highway 64. They rescued two adults and brought them to the Wyoming Ambulance Shed, followed by a second rescue involving a teenager and her 67-year-old grandmother. The grandmother gratefully said, "I've never been on one of these [snowmobile] before, but I'm sure glad they're around!"

Keith Paulson (pictured right) was honored with the Excellence in Safety award for his service as a volunteer IPI Safety Liaison, assisting with statewide safety audits across all nine IDOC facilities. He uses his growing expertise to improve safety in all of IPI's shops and ensure a secure environment for both staff and incarcerated individuals. Keith conducts monthly safety walk-throughs at the diverse ASP IPI Plant and is pursuing OSHA 10 Instructor certification to train incarcerated individuals across the state. His dedication and knowledge have greatly enhanced IDOC operations and workforce readiness.

Chad, Terry and Keith's efforts are a testament to the selflessness and dedication of IPI staff. Their actions, whether through community service or within our organization, highlight the profound impact that individuals can have both in and outside of their roles. We are incredibly proud to have them as part of our team and are inspired by their unwavering commitment to serving others.