2009 12 People You Need to Know: Editor's Note

The best things come by the dozen.

OK, so they say it's the cheap things that do, along with doughnuts, eggs, flowers - and possibly government bailouts at our current rate.

But at Springfield Business Journal, we've got a new turn of phrase birthed from a special publication, available on newsstands and sbj.net today.

As promised exactly a year ago while launching a new product called 12 People You Need To Know, I introduce you to a second dozen individuals affecting our community in unique and big ways.

SBJ's editorial team in December 2007 brought to life a vision to get up close and personal with personalities shaping the city. Beginning with a booklet published in the year-end double issue and followed by monthly breakfast events throughout 2008, 12 People You Need To Know hit its goals and returns for Year 2.

Our editors and reporters sought people with fascinating careers, unique lives and special stories and applied the same criteria in making the 2009 selections. In this bunch, you'll find up-and-coming professionals, newcomers just building their southwest Missouri résumés and influential yet behind-the-scenes personnel.

These 12 People are not a dime a dozen.

Those profiled here are typical of sources you'll find in SBJ news each week. They're dynamic, decision-making, data-driven, product-producing, community-caring, influential individuals. And because we're fortunate enough to encounter these types daily in our reporting, we felt it necessary to bring these stories to a higher awareness.

I think you'll agree we're smarter by the dozen, too. Throughout 2008, the live interviews during the 12 People breakfast events became an educational experience that exceeded my personal intended purposes.

Series sponsor Arvest Bank is back for another year. Many thanks to Arvest officials for believing in this product and partnering for the breakfast events.

I also am grateful to the first 12 People, who will be forever etched in our minds: Steve Childers, Hal Donaldson, Von Ebron, Jerry Henry, Sarah Kerner, Karen Kramer, Mark McFatridge, Kevin McGowan, Josh Nixon, Dianna Parker, Scott Tarwater and Mark Weisz.

I leave you with a few riddles cooked up by SBJ's marketing department. See if you can match the clue with one of the 12 featured people.

• He's next up in the "queue."

• He hopes new ties to the Peach State take flight.

• From a dark world, she speaks of a better life that could be in clear view for all.

• His designs even make Mother Nature green with envy.

• He's conducted life on both sides of the equator, at last in Springfield he finds no harmony greater.