John Akkanen Kinross Correctional Facility has awarded the Michigan Department of Corrections Citizenship Award to Lieutenant John Akkanen for his involvement in the community of Brimley. Lieutenant Akkanen has 24 years with the Michigan Department of Corrections and works at Kinross Correctional Facility.

His community involvement spans almost 20 years and covers a broad spectrum of community activities. He is active in the Lions club and drives Brimley school buses. Lieutenant Akkanen has coached the Brimley High School varsity basketball team for 19 years and, while he is no longer coaching, he remains active in mentoring community youth. He is involved with organizing a golf tournament established in memory of a corrections supervisor who died several years ago. Funds from the memorial golf tournament are used to help employees who have exceptional expenses due to family emergencies.