The OAG was presented with a National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES) impact award for the performance audit of the Bureau of Correctional Industries, Department of Corrections (Project Number 471-0130-08), released in June 2009.

Congratulations to Laura Hirst, Audit Division Administrator; Mary Jo Koschay, Audit Manager; Elmer Hess, Audit Supervisor; and team members Dennis McMillan, Ryan Austin, and OAG retiree Hilary George.

The OAG was presented with a National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES) impact award for the performance audit of Prisoner Food Services, Department of Corrections (Project Number 471-0621-07L), released in June 2008.

Congratulations to Laura Hirst, Audit Division Administrator; Mary Jo Koschay, Audit Manager; Brian Kent, Audit Supervisor; and team members Ivy Jaroche, Silhouette Todd, Mike Foerster, and former employees Kelly Bernath and Frank Schmid.

The OAG was selected as the winner of a 2009 National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES) Impact Award for the performance audit of Child Development and Care Program Payments, Department of Human Services.

Congratulations to Mark Freeman, Audit Division Administrator; Melinda Hamilton, Audit Manager; Yvonne Benn, supervisor; and team members Dawn Anderson, Lori Beltran, Mark Lee, Thomas Ongstad, Sara Schondelmayer, Andy Mitchell, and former employee Renee Johnson-Maybee.

The OAG was presented with the National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES) Impact Award for the performance audit of High School Graduation and Dropout Rates, Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI), Department of Management and Budget, at the 2008 National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit, which was held July 22-26 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Congratulations to Laura Hirst, Audit Division Administrator; Mary Jo Koschay, Audit Manager; Mary Lowe and Karen Bosworth, supervisors; and team members Julius Hampton, Eileen Schneider, Sara Schondelmayer, and former employee Mary Makovic.

The OAG was selected as the winner of the 2007 National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES) Impact Award for the performance audit of Selected Medicaid Pharmaceutical Drug Transactions, Medical Services Administration, Department of Community Health.

Congratulations to Rick Stafford, Audit Division Administrator; Tom Beuerle, Audit Manager; Bryan Weiler, supervisor; and team members Patricia Chooi and former employee Tamara Torongo, with technical support provided by Andy Mitchell.

The OAG was selected as the winner of a 2006 National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES) Impact Award for the performance audit of the Office of Professional Preparation Services, Michigan Department of Education.

Congratulations to Mark Freeman and OAG retiree Joe Harrison, Audit Division Administrators; Gerry Schwandt and OAG retiree Jim Bellinger, Audit Managers; Susan Rosenbaum, supervisor; and team members Jill Gard, Andy Mitchell, Fran Thelen, and former employee Christine Covell.

The OAG was selected to receive two National State Auditors Association (NSAA) Excellence in Accountability Awards: one in the “2006 Performance Audit (large)” category for the Children’s Foster Care Program and the other in the “2006 Special Project” category for Auditing – The Game.

Congratulations to the Children’s Foster Care Program audit team members: Mark Freeman, Audit Division Administator; Gerry Schwandt, Audit Manager; Bryan Weiler, supervisor; and team members Angela Brown-Schafer, Patricia Chooi, Fran Thelen, and Andy Mitchell.



Congratulations also to Melissa Schuiling, Audit Manager; Shelly Fanson, supervisor; and staff auditor Allison Pierce who submitted the special project, Auditing – The Game.

The OAG was selected as the winner of a 2005 National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES) Impact Award for the performance audit of the Bureau of Local Government Services, Department of Treasury.

Congratulations to Mike Becker and Mark Freeman, Audit Division Administrators; Elden Lamb, Gerry Schwandt, and OAG retiree Ray Vernellis, Audit Managers; Beau Hill, supervisor; and team members Hilary Goerge, Julie Trierweiler, and former employee Stacie Sampson.

The OAG was selected as the winner of a 2004 National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES) Impact Award for the performance audit of Selected Probate Court Conservatorship Case.

Congratulations to Mike Becker, Audit Division Administrator; Elden Lamb and OAG retiree Ray Vernellis, Audit Managers; Lisa Pratt, supervisor; and team members Shawna Hessling and former employee Theresa Barsch.

Auditor General Thomas H. McTavish received the following letter from Martha Carter, Chair, National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES) Awards Committee:

Congratulations! I am pleased to inform you that your office will receive a Certificate of Recognition of Impact from the National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES) for your report titled Performance Audit of the Certificate of Need (CON) Program, Certificate of Need Commission, Department of Community Health.

We would like to present the certificate to you at the NLPES business meeting and luncheon, which will be held at noon on Thursday, July 24, in conjunction with the NCSL Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California.

On behalf of the NLPES Executive Committee, thank you for the contribution that your office makes to the field of legislative program evaluation.

The individuals who were responsible for the Certificate of Need Program audit included: Richard Stafford, Audit Division Administrator; Thomas Beuerle, Audit Manager; Bryan Weiler, supervisor; and team members Melanie Alvord and Mark Lee.

Auditor General Thomas H. McTavish received the following letter from Martha Carter, Chair, National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES) Awards Committee:

Congratulations! I am pleased to inform you that your office will receive a Certificate of Recognition of Impact from the National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES) for your report titled Michigan Educational Assessment Program, Department of Education and Department of Treasury. NLPES will present the certificate to your office during its annual business meeting and luncheon, which will be held at noon on Thursday, July 25, in conjunction with the National Conference of State Legislatures' Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado. We invite you or a representative of your office to attend the luncheon to receive your certificate. On behalf of the NLPES Executive Committee, thank you for the contributions that your office makes to the field of legislative program evaluation.

The individuals who were responsible for the Michigan Educational Assessment Program audit included: Joseph Harrison, Audit Division Administrator; James Bellinger, Audit Manager; Gerald Schwandt, supervisor; and team members Brian Kent and Michael Ventura, with technical assistance from Andrew Mitchell.