Originally from the United Kingdom, Anne grew up in inner-city London and obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Manchester. It was not until her mid-20s when she first set foot on American soil. She spent several years in Boston, Massachusetts, and graduated with a master’s degree in Historical Archaeology from the University of Massachusetts-Boston. There she met her now husband, David Ketz, who is the CFO & General Manager of 106 Group. Together, they moved to Minnesota, put down their roots, started a family, and created 106 Group in 1992.
Anne’s career in cultural resources management and planning extends over 35 years of work in the United States. Her dedication to her profession is valued and respected by 106 Group employees and clients as well as demonstrated through her close work with stakeholders and Native American leaders across the nation.
Congratulations, Anne! You have accomplished so much during your time in the States so far and we are excited to see what lies ahead for you.
Before heading off to take the Oath of Allegiance and obtain her American citizenship (while still retaining her British citizenship) she shared a few reminiscences of her 40-year journey in the United States:
- My first view of America, flying over New York City at night, was magical. This was closely followed by getting on the NYC subway from JFK to Harlem; it was terrifying. I wouldn’t sit on the train seats because I was certain the graffiti paint would spoil my clothes.
- Taking a Greyhound bus from Detroit to Colorado – my first experience of the prairies and the enormous expanse of the U.S. which is so hard for Europeans to grasp. I grew up on an island where you are never more than 60 miles from the sea.
- I couldn’t understand how housing developments can be built without sidewalks – didn’t get it then, and still don’t get it.
- Being told that public transport was communist! Growing up in London where that’s how we all got around – that was an odd one.
- My first day spent on an Indian reservation (Prairie Island) as a guest of two Elders. When I got home that night, the exhaustion and culture shock felt like I’d travelled to another country. But I was hooked.
- My first experience of real cold – hearing the sound of electricity passing through the cables above near my in-laws’ farm in Wisconsin.
- Having my bags almost packed to return to the UK after grad school and my first real archaeology job – the Big Dig in Boston – then David came along. As they say, the rest is history.
- David’s and my conversation and timing in setting up 106 Group in St Paul just when the city was rediscovering its place on the Mississippi River. Place, culture, and heritage all became part of the conversation, and we were blessed and honored to be part of so much of what you see today of a revitalized St. Paul riverfront such as Harriet Island, Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary/Wakan Tipi, the Science Museum, and more.
- My parents, Gordon and Vida Turner, who always inspired and encouraged me to grow wings and reach high. They mortgaged their retirement house to make it possible for me to come to grad school here. Thank you, Mum & Dad – I’m sure you’re smiling, looking down on me today.
