On May 20, 2019, Governor Tom Wolf honored Department of Corrections (DOC) Bureau of Operations Director Norman Klinikowski with the Governor's Awards for Excellence. Klinikowski is leading several complex and multi-faceted projects for the department.
The awards recognize commonwealth employees for exemplary job performance or service that reflects initiative, leadership, innovation and increased efficiency. Klinikowski is one of 49 state employees from eight agencies to be honored by Governor Tom Wolf at today's awards presentation.
Pictured, from left to right, are: DOC Deputy Secretary for Administration Christopher Oppman, DOC Bureau of Operations Director Norman Klinikowski and Gov. Tom Wolf.
"Norm's integrity and management of the department's assets, innovative partnerships, repurposing and salvaging and responsiveness to critical situations has resulted in major cost savings and improved infrastructure," said DOC Secretary John Wetzel.
Klinikowski was nominated for the award by his supervisor, Deputy Secretary for Administration Christopher Oppman, who described Klinikowski as "an extremely innovative person whose approach and project management style allow him to make fiscally responsible decisions."
Klinikowski has led several successful projects, including the closing of the former State Correctional Institution (SCI) Pittsburgh, saving the department millions of dollars. Furthermore, Klinikowski oversaw the maintenance teams and general contractors working to complete construction of SCI Phoenix, which is a replacement facility for SCI Graterford in Montgomery County. The opening of SCI Phoenix entailed organizing resources, engaging contractors and implementation of more than $2 million in projects within a compressed period.
In addition, Klinikowski helped to develop and implement the Guaranteed Energy Savings Agreements (GESA) program, in coordination with the Department of General Services, to reduce energy costs and improve reliability of critical infrastructure. This anticipated savings is more than $2 million a year at SCI Dallas. He also continues to partner with Penn State Facilities Engineering Institute to support diagnostics, training and technical support in the development of projects and GESA.
"Both of these major projects included complex infrastructure, multi-department collaboration and strategic leadership; all of which Norm superseded," Oppman said.