SANDRA MILBURN
Reno County Communications Specialist
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Youth Services Assistant Director Joe Hammeke has been chosen as the new Reno County Youth Services Director starting Saturday, December 23, 2023. Current Youth Services Director Shelly Bredemeier is retiring on December 22, 2023, after 35 years of public service to Reno County.
Hammeke began his career at Reno County Court Services in March 1996, as a juvenile probation officer. In 2010, he became the supervisor of the Juvenile Probation Department, a position he held until July 2018. Hammeke was then hired by Reno County Youth Services to become the supervisor of Intake and Assessment, as well as the Administrative Contact for the 27thJudicial District. In 2021, he was promoted to Assistant Director at Youth Services, his current position.
Hammeke attributes his success to having worked under great management since arriving in Hutchinson. “Every supervisor I have worked for has demonstrated a strong religious faith, which has guided me in strengthening mine as I continue facing the many challenges of working with numerous children and their families,” said Hammeke.
“God has blessed me in every aspect of my life. When you appreciate driving to work and look forward to returning to your family each day, you have so much to be thankful for. I was also blessed with wonderful parents and eight siblings, all of which have contributed tremendously to who I am today. God has enabled me to make a living at something I have truly loved doing for more than 26 years. Hopefully, he will grant me many more years as a member of Reno County Youth Services.”
Randy Partington, Reno County Administrator, said, “We are excited to promote Joe to Director of Youth Services. Joe is well suited for this position and cares deeply about the impact he can have with staff and the youth being served by the department.”
Hammeke said that he has been working with juveniles his entire adult life, dating back to working in an emergency shelter while attending school at Fort Hays State University. Hammeke has been married to his wife Stacy for 24 years, together raising four children in Hutchinson where he has forged many strong relationships with great friends and coworkers.
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