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Business owner Dwight Hauff, 100, is America's oldest worker for 2005 ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Experience Works, the nation's largest provider of training and employment services for older workers, announced today that Dwight Hauff, 100, owner of Hauff Sporting Goods in Sioux City, Iowa, is America's Oldest Worker for 2005. For 73 years, Mr. Hauff has supplied schools, sporting leagues and corporate accounts with quality sports equipment and apparel, yet despite the growth of his business he has continued to provide a high level of customer service with a personal touch. Today, the 100-year-old businessman owns a chain of sporting goods stores that includes, Hauff Mid-America Sports, Dakota Sports, Inc., and Iowa Sports Supply Company. Mr. Hauff joins a group of seven other centenarians previously selected as America's Oldest Worker. Says Mr. Hauff, "I plan to go on living, and definitely keep working." Born January 23, 1905, Mr. Hauff graduated from Morningside College in 1926. He taught math and economics for three years and had planned to go into business with his father who owned a hardware store. But in 1929, the Stock Market crashed and instead he went to work for Spalding Sports Worldwide. When Spalding decided to close the Sioux City store, Mr. Hauff opened his first sporting goods store, and when Spaulding closed their store in Omaha, he expanded into Omaha. In 1940, Mr. Hauff incorporated Hauff sports with his partner Carl Haase and they continued to expand into Nebraska and South Dakota. Mr. Hauff believes in hard work. "I worked many more hours when I was younger. Often worked all week plus four nights during the war periods, when it was difficult to get help," said Mr. Hauff. "Football games, sporting events, they are all part of the business." The Experience Works(SM) Prime Time Awards Program is the only national program that, each year, honors the contribution of working seniors. Now in its eighth year, the Prime Time Awards Program seeks to remove barriers to employment and lessen negative stereotypes about older workers. Mr. Hauff, along with 52 outstanding older workers from every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, are being honored September 26-29 in Washington, D.C., as part of the Experience Works Prime Time Awards Program, the nation's premier older-worker recognition event. During Prime Time week, Experience Works also recognizes outstanding employers of older workers. Companies being honored this year include City of Hope in Hope, Ark.; Clearwater Suites Assisted Living Community of Alexandria, Minn.; Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company in Hershey, Pa.; and Hannaford Brothers Supermarket & Pharmacy in Greenwich, N.Y. Information about Experience Works can be found at http://www.experienceworks.org/.
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