In his own words, he is just plain Chet, a farm boy and small-town carpenter who saw the need for a publication to bring together other isolated coin collectors and created a family of hobby products that put his home town of Iola, Wisconsin, on the world publishing map. In 1952 Chet produced a single-page, introductory issue of Numismatic News on the dining room table of his parents' home. That was also the year he joined the ANA.

In the ensuing decades, his modest start prospered into an internationally respected publishing firm as his influence grew within and outside of the hobby's institutions.

    His efforts on behalf of numismatics and the ANA have been recognized with virtually every honor the Association can bestow, including the Medal of Merit, Glenn Smedley Memorial Award, Exemplary Service Award, Numismatist of the Year, induction to the ANA Hall of Fame, the Lifetime Achievement Award and the ANA's highest honor, the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award for Distinguished Service.

    In 1987 he reorganized his company into an employee stock ownership plan and retired to a second career in community service. He has been a major supporter in his home county of the Rawhide Boys Ranch for troubled youth and of the Max McGee Fund at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin to find a cure for juvenile diabetes. He is an emeritus member of the National Advisory Council of the Marshfield Clinic, and an honorary board member of the Fields of Honor Veterans Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He is honorary chairman of the Wisconsin Lions Pride Campaign.

    Chet was elected to the ANA Board of Governors in a membership mandate to restore the organization to its federally chartered purpose of advancing numismatics by maximizing service to its members. During his first term, much was accomplished to right the ANA's fiscal ship and reorganize the professional and support staff. Much remains to be done in the face of an increasingly challenging financial scene. Chet believes his combined hobby and business background can be effective in helping the ANA meet those challenges. He can be reached at 715-445-4908, e-mail ckrause@athenet.net.