Jack Thill of Tradexpos, whose agribusiness career spans more than 60 years, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce Wednesday.

Thill is the eighth member to receive the award, which is presented by the board of directors in recognition of outstanding business accomplishments and service to the community.

The chamber made the presentation at its fall meeting held at the Austin Country Club.

“I have enjoyed every minute of it,” Thill said about his career in an acceptance speech. “I am only 85, so I’ve still got a ways to go,” he added.

He has no plans to retire.

Thill grew up on a family farm near Rose Creek. He planned to enter law school, and was admitted, but fell in love and got married instead.

So, he joined the father’s small implement business. Eventually Jack took over Thill Implement, selling Minneapolis-Moline and Oliver Farm Equipment. He opened a second business, Thill Construction, to build Behlen grain bins.

Facing a high interest rate, Thill closed his business in 1980. Next, he took a trip to Illinois to set up a farm show. The rest is history.

Today, Thill’s Tradexpos organizes shows in Fort Wayne, Ind., Topeka, Kans., Wichita, Kans. and Minneapolis.

His community work includes serving three terms as Mayor of Rose Creek, and he has been a member of the Chamber and the Rotary in Austin for decades. His philanthropy work includes the Mower County Historical Society and the Hormel Foundation.

Thill offered many tips to young business people in the audience Wednesday.

“Be friendly. You are not going to like everyone you do business with … Enjoy people. Treat them like kings,” he said.

The Chamber also re-elected three members and elected five new members to its board of directors. They are Dick McIntosh, Arizona Cleaning Co.; Tom Sherman, Usem, Inc.; Gail Dennison, The Hormel Institute; Marlene Blaser, Quiznos; Mel Gilbertson, Quality Pork Processors; Sam Ewing, Astrup Drug; Kim Pelzel, LarsonAllen; and Barry Irish, Sterling State Bank.