Austin’s very own Chuck Keller has been selected Minnesota’s Outstanding Older Worker for 2000.

Wednesday, August 16, 2000

Austin’s very own Chuck Keller has been selected Minnesota’s Outstanding Older Worker for 2000.

Formerly the assistant administrator at Austin Medical Center and then a volunteer for several years, Keller has been with the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau since 1995, when she started as a group tour volunteer.

"Overwhelmed and surprised," was Keller’s reaction to the news this morning.

"Proud," was CVB Director Jeanne Sheehan’s reaction. "Minnesota could not have picked a better ambassador for our state."

Earlier this year, Sheehan credited Keller, who is now the CVB’s group tour administrator, with an increase in the number of tour groups coming to Austin.

"Chuck really worked on nurturing group tours and we were more pro-active than ever before," Sheehan said.

For Keller, work at the CVB is fun and fulfilling and not anything to do with keeping busy in old age or anything remotely like that.

"I never think of age," she said. "That word is not in my vocabulary. My job isn’t for everyone, but for me it’s a fulfilling thing to do. I enjoy what I do and as long as I do it well, that’s what pleases me."

Obviously, what she does pleased the contest organizers as well as Sheehan, who nominated Keller for the award. Sheehan also described Keller as "significantly involved in the community," participating in church duties as well as the Austin Floral Club.

The contest was conducted by Green Thumb Inc. of Minnesota, in conjunction with the state Department of Economic Security and Cenex Harvest States Corp. Green Thumb is the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit provider of employment and training services for older workers.

Nominees had to be 65 or older and a description of the person’s contributions to business as well as new skills acquired was a part of the nomination form.

While Green Thumb will be holding a celebration to recognize Keller and the runner-ups on Sept. 26, Austin Mayor Bonnie Rietz and the CVB will be holding their own recognition party at 4 p.m. Monday in Council Chambers. Members of the public are invited.