Menard assistant warden Gary Conder retires

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[After 32 years of working for the Illinois Department of Corrections, Menard assistant warden Gary Conder is retiring. Conder's official last day will be Thursday, April 30.

Conder began his career with the Illinois Department of Corrections as a correctional officer on February 24, 1977. He was promoted to a corrections industries leadworker with corrections industries on July 16, 1984.?He was then promoted once again on March 16, 2002 to a corrections industries supervisor and continued his upward climb with another promotion on February 16, 2005 into his current title of assistant warden of programs (senior public service administrator.)

"Since the beginning of my employment in 1977, the two biggest changes I remember were: (1) the merger between Menard Correctional Center and Menard Psychiatric Center in December of 1994 and, (2) the closing of the Administration Building in May of 2007 and the relocation of offices due to this closing. Other big changes I have seen are implementation of computers/faster access to information; new buildings being constructed - Medium Security Unit after demolition of old MSU building, Telecom Building, new Gate 1 (Sally Port), Reception and Classification Unit, Multi-Purpose Building, Health Care Unit; Menard Farm Industries has transitioned from more traditional endeavors like raising livestock to producing bio-renewal fuels and providing recycling services to the Randolph County area. In general, I have been very fortunate to have been a member of the Menard Correctional Center staff for 32 years and have been lucky to have worked with such a great group of people. I am very thankful for their support and will miss the people very much, " said Conder. "I plan on staying in this area and enjoying time with family and friends. My future plans will also include consideration of continued public service within the community," he added.