The Education Foundation of Albert Lea, the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce and the Albert Lea Area Schools announced the 2009 Recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award. The awards are presented as part of the “Pathways to Success” program. The program itself is one of recognition and inspiration.

The awards of “recognition” are given annually to graduates of Albert Lea High School who have achieved success in one or more of the areas of Business and Economic Achievement, Humanitarian and Public Service Accomplishments, or Locally Achieved Success. In addition, awards will be given posthumously to candidates in any of the above categories. Winners of the awards will be recognized at the Albert Lea—Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting on Thursday, Oct. 22.

The following day, the inspiration portion takes place when the award winners will visit with students at Albert Lea High School.

This year’s award winners are as follows.

Business and Economic Achievement

Major Gen. Thomas Andersen, USAF (Class of 1976): Director of Requirements, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va. He is responsible for all functions relating to the acquisition of weapons systems for combat air forces, to include new systems and modifications to existing systems. The general directs a staff of 14 divisions, three special management offices, and four operating locations, and actively represents the warfighter in defining future requirements while supporting the acquisition of today’s combat systems.

The general is a master navigator with more than 3,500 hours in the B-52H, RC-135V/W, T-43, E-8C and EC-130 aircraft. As an electronic warfare officer, General Andersen flew in the RC-135V/W during Operation Desert Storm and logged more than 100 combat hours. His awards include: Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Achievement Medal.

Humanitarian and Public Service

Gayle Kvenvold (Class of 1969): The 2009 Dutch Kastenbaum Outstanding Gerontologist Award winner from the Minnesota Gerontological Society, Gayle Kvenvold is the president and CEO of Aging Services of Minnesota, formerly the Minnesota Health and Housing Alliance. She has had a long and effective career in the field of gerontology. Kvenvold’s career began when she was just a teenager as a nursing assistant in a nursing home. She went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in social work and then a master’s degree in social work. She assisted in opening Ebenezer Ridges Care Center in Burnsville. As a planner for the Minnesota Department of Health, she helped draft the State of Minnesota’s Long-Term Care Plan. In 1984 she was hired by what is now known as Aging Services of Minnesota as an executive vice president, and in 1989 was made its first President and CEO.

Locally Achieved Success

Richard Ackland (Class of 1959): After graduation in 1959 from Albert Lea High School, he attended Luther College for one year. He moved to Dunwoody Institute in the tool and die program. After graduating from Dunwoody, Richard worked at Queen Products and Streater as a tool maker. In 1965, his family moved to Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he was supervisor of the tool room at E and M Tool and Die.

In 1972, Lou-Rich was founded. Ackland and partner, Lou Larson, opened the doors in March of 1972 in Hayward. In 1988, they purchased the old Scotsman Ice Machine building on Front Street, having outgrown the building in Hayward. Lou-Rich now employs nearly 400 people.

During the past years, he has served as United Way chairman, member of the Naeve Hospital Board of Directors, St. John’s Board of Directors, and a volunteer fireman in Hayward. A Noon Kiwanis member and a Red Cross CPR instructor. He also was President of Oakland Lutheran Church, taught Sunday School, was Luther League adviser and sang in the church choir.

Posthumous Awards:

Howard Christensen (Class of 1941): He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1941 and attended Albert Lea Junior College. He enlisted in the Naval Aviation program in 1942 and received his wings and rank of Ensign in 1943 in Pensacola, Fla., and he flew PBY Catalinas and Mariners on submarine patrol bombing missions off the east and southern coasts of the United States. He was discharged in San Diego in 1945.

He began working for his father-in-law in the car business in 1946. In 1962, he purchased the Motor Inn Company and continued to run the business until his retirement in 1995. Under his leadership the dealership was moved to a new, more prominent, location and expanded its line of cars from Buick to include several other GM lines including Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, GMC trucks, and added the Honda line as well.

Howard was active in many community and business activities. He served as president of the Y’s Men’s Club, the YMCA board of directors, vice chairman of the YMCA Building Fund Drive in 1968, President of the Albert Lea Kiwanis Club, director of People’s Savings and Loan for 20 years, served as president of First Lutheran Church council, President of the Albert Lea Country Club, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce board, and also served as United Way Fund Drive chairman. Howard was a member of the American Legion and the Elks Club. He was elected president of the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association and as a director of the National Auto Dealers Retirement Trust where he served for 12 years.

Tom Nee (Class of 1938): Tom graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1938. He was active in the music program, and was selected by band director “Cap” Emmons to be his assistant director. Following high school he attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota. He served in the Merchant Marine during World War II. After his discharge, he returned to school and received his Masters Degree from Hamline University.

Tom then spent one year as a Fulbright Scholar in Vienna, where he studied conducting with Hans Swarowsky. Tom became music director of the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis (1953-67), director and co-founder of the Minnesota Opera (1963-67), and assistant conductor of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra under Antal Dorati (1959-60).

He was music director of the New Hampshire Music Festival from 1960 until 1992. During his tenure, the festival grew from a small program where performers received only room and board, to a nationally renowned, professional orchestra which won many national awards. He received the Granite State Award from Plymouth State College in 1980 for “Outstanding Public Service to the citizens of New Hampshire.”

He chaired the department of music at UCSD from 1971 to 1974, and conducted SONOR, a resident ensemble that performed experimental music by UCSD composers.

Nee retired from UCSD in 1991, but remained active until his death overseeing the Tom Nee Commission, awarded each year to a graduate-level composer whose new piece is performed each spring by La Jolla Symphony & Chorus, which Nee also guided.

Award winners will further be honored by having plaques placed alongside previous winners at Albert Lea High School.