Governor Matt Blunt Announces 2008 Older Worker of the Year Winner Jean Hines
ST LOUIS MO NEWS (stlouismo) – Governor Matt Blunt announced that Jean Hines, 83 of Sullivan, Missouri a lifelong machinist who makes precision aircraft parts, has won the coveted Missouri’s 2008 Older Worker of the Year Contest.
“I commend Jean Hines on being named Missouri’s 2008 Older Worker of the Year, Jean’s exceptional work ethic makes her a role model for all generations.” Governor Matt Blunt said friday.
Ms. Jean Hines began her full-time job with Carden Machine Shop, Inc., a Missouri manufacturer of aircraft parts for Boeing, Lockheed, Bell Helicopter and General Dynamics, after another company Jean worked for downsized and ended her 35-year career. “I was 76 years old, I didn’t think Carden would hire me because of my age. But I put in my application anyway.” Jean said"
Carden Machine Shop hired her on the spot, she has great experience. Before long, her devotion and energy on the new job spurred an affectionate nickname, “The Mean Jean Machine.” “Jean never declined a request to work overtime, and she kept her fellow employees and me in line.” said Alan Cox, her Carden supervisor, Her mantra is, “If you’re going to be paid for eight hours, then you should be productive for eight hours.”
Among other things, Jean Hines smoothes the hooks that are used in C-17 cargo plane ramps. “When the hooks come off the machine, they have bumps in them, like burs, and sharp edges,” Hines says. “I use a hand gun and attach different bur pads to get the burs and bumps off, so the hooks will be slick and pass quality control inspection.” In seven years of working for Carden, Ms. Jean Hines has never missed a day of work for the Sullivan company.
It is a difficult, strenuous job, according to Supervisor Alan Cox, it requires great vision, steady hand control and attention to detail. “As long as I can do an honest day’s work, I’ll continue,” Jean Hines says. “It’s my life.”
The 18th annual Older Worker of the Year contest 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; the Department of Economic Development/Division of Workforce Development; and the Department of Health and Senior Services/Division of Senior and Disability Services.
Other stories about Missouri seniors who are changing our perception of what it means to age appear on the Department of Health and Senior Services’ Web site throughout Older Americans Month this May, http://www.dhss.mo.gov/. To view the articles, click on the blue and orange Older Americans Month logo.