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Missouri's annual Older Worker of the Year contest seeks to honor a Missouri resident who is 65 or older, employed at least 20 hours a week, and displays dependability and new skills on the job. The winner and regional finalists will be recognized at a two-day awards ceremony in September in Jefferson City.

"Older workers play an increasingly important role in our economy," said Margaret Donnelly, director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, which is helping to sponsor the contest. "They're rated highly on factors such as judgment, commitment to quality, attendance and punctuality. I urge Missouri's employers and employees to think about their older co-workers and nominate one of them for this award."

Last year's Older Worker of the Year was Richard Breidenbaugh, a commercial truck driver and former bulldozer operator who helped build Interstate 70.

Nomination forms for 2010's Older Worker of the Year are available on the Department of Health and Senior Services' Web site, http://www.dhss.mo.gov/OlderWorkerNominationForm.pdf. Completed nomination forms must be postmarked or faxed by August 13, 2010.

The completed entry forms can be faxed to (573) 522-3024. They also can be mailed to: Missouri Outstanding Older Worker Contest, Division of Senior and Disability Services, Bureau of Senior Programs, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570.

Nomination forms must include a narrative explaining why the nominee deserves to be selected Older Worker of the Year.

Now in its 20th year, the annual Older Worker of the Year recognition is sponsored by the Missouri Senior Employment Coordinating Committee, consisting of the AARP Foundation; 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.

For more information, call 573-526-4542.