Nominations sought for oldest senior worker

For the past two years, New Madrid County produced regional winners in the annual Missouri Outstanding Older Worker of the Year Contest, which recognizes the vale older workers bring to today's workplace. Will New Madrid County "three-peat" in 2015?

The contest is now open and seeking candidates.

In 2013 Patsy Tisher of New Madrid was a regional winner. She was and continues to be an employee of the Bank of New Madrid. Last year it was 80-year-old Tommie Fountain of Howardville, who continues to drive a van for Southeast Missouri Transportation System. He was recognized for his work transporting disadvantaged people to non-emergency medical appointments.

Nominees must be Missouri residents who are age 60 or older, employed at least 20 hours a week in a Missouri job site, and demonstrated success in learning new skills and job training. Regional winners will be selected from across the state and honored in September during a two-day awards ceremony in Jefferson City.

"On average, older workers represent 15.5 percent of Missouri's workforce," says Diane Chambers, Missouri director for Experience Works, a nonprofit organization operating the Senior Community Service EMployment Program in 104 Missouri counties and one of this year's organizers. "Their work ethic, experience and dedication greatly impacts the way Missouri does business and this is a way to celebrate that."

The contest is sponsored by Missouri Senior Employment Coordinating Committee, including AARP Missouri, Experience Works, Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph, MERS/Missouri Goodwill Industries, Missouri Department of Economic Development/Division of Workforce Development, and the Department of Health and Senior Services/Division of Senior and Disability Services.

The nomination deadline is July 4. Request a nomination form by calling 1-877-872-4740, or email Katie.Rowland@health.mo.gov.