By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Monday introduced a New Year. On Tuesday morning, the Barton County Commission was introduced to the new director at Central Kansas Community Corrections. Brooke Haulmark was one of four final candidates for the position. County Administrator Matt Patzner said the hire will be a great addition to the area.
"Brooke brings a strong background to corrections, and as a community corrections board member, she's familiar with our program," he said. "In her interview, she expressed a number of ideas to bring to our county. We're really excited for the future."
Haulmark moved from the Kansas City area with her husband, Steve, who is the chief of the Great Bend Police Department. She spent time as a sheriff's deputy for Wyandotte County before going back to school to earn an MBA. She returned to criminal justice with community corrections in Wyandotte County, then also worked for the department of corrections in staff development. She has served on the CKCC advisory board for approximately one year.
"I am very excited for this opportunity," Haulmark told commissioners. "I've been in the criminal justice system for a couple of decades. Just the ability to help our community to be safe, to work with the team at community corrections and ensure they have the tools they need to be successful."
Commissioners Tricia Schlessiger and Donna Zimmerman participated in the interview process. Tuesday marked Haulmark's first official day as the new director.