Local man named region's older worker of year

Longtime Lowe's employee Kermit Klatt smiles as his coworker, delivery manager Jenny Luebbert snaps a photo during an awards ceremony on Tuesday held in his honor after he was named the Region 5 winner in the 2014 Missouri Outstanding Older Worker Contest.
Longtime Lowe's employee Kermit Klatt smiles as his coworker, delivery manager Jenny Luebbert snaps a photo during an awards ceremony on Tuesday held in his honor after he was named the Region 5 winner in the 2014 Missouri Outstanding Older Worker Contest.

A 77-year-old employee at Lowe's in Jefferson City was honored Tuesday as Missouri's Region 5 winner in the 24th annual "Outstanding Older Workers of the Year" contest.

As the Region 5 winner, Kermit Klatt received recognition and several mementos at a ceremony at Lowe's where his family was in attendance, along with his fellow attendees who stopped by for cake and punch.

"Kermit is like the mailman. He comes to work no matter what the weather: rain or snow, hail or sleet and dark of night," said Rhonda Bashore, Lowe's human resources manager. "He's worked full time at Lowe's for 14 years and has been married for 59 years and raised a family."

Known by the public as the "cart man," he uses a shopping cart to get around the store throughout his day. Since he started at Lowe's in May 2000, he has worked in both outside and inside lawn and garden departments and been promoted many times. Currently, he's the plumbing pro, where he's an expert in rough plumbing for the store's walk-in customers. He sells water pipes and related fittings, water heaters, water softeners, drains and gutters, and sump pumps.

"He has never been late and called in sick only one day in 14 years and has trained several employees through the years because he is our go-to guy," Bashore added. "He always has a twinkle in his eye, a smile on his face, and he's good and wise with personal advice. And he has a soft spot for employees in financial need and has helped a few along the way."

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

Missouri is divided into 10 regions for the contest, and Region 5 includes Boone, Callaway, Cooper, Gasconade, Howard, Maries, Miller, Moniteau, Osage, Phelps, Saline and Cole counties.

According to Experience Works, a national nonprofit organization operating the Senior Community Service Employment Program in 104 Missouri counties, older workers represent 14.2 percent of Missouri's workforce. This contest is a way to recognize them for their accomplishments and value they bring to the workplace.

The 10 regional winners will participate in a two-day event, including luncheons, tours and a banquet held in Jefferson City in September (date to be determined).

Janet Vaughn, executive director for the Central Region Workforce Investment Board, was on hand for the event, along with Shari Wooldridge, an employment and training coordinator for Experience Works, based in Columbia.

"In a recent article in AARP Magazine, a study showed older workers tend to be more reliable, loyal, punctual, dependable, great problem solvers, and are more motivated by causes like community, mission and a chance to make the world a better place," Wooldridge said.

"That describes Kermit and his desire to serve his community through his work at Lowe's and his desire to help others," she said.

Nominees had to be at least 60 years of age and gainfully employed at a Missouri job site for an average of 20 or more hours a week.