2018 40 Under 40 Yearbook: Sarah Kerner, 39

Then: Legal counsel for Springfield-Branson National Airport
Now: Director of economic development, City of Springfield

After a stint representing Springfield-Branson National Airport, Sarah Kerner climbed the municipal ladder – spanning Public Works, the Springfield-Green County Health Department and city Planning & Development – until reaching her current post as director of economic development in October 2015.

She cites two major highlights during the past nearly 10 years: Helping develop a more than $33 million local expansion of Kraft Heinz Co. and a nearly $40 million expansion of Springfield operations for 3M.

“They added 100 jobs and did major capital investments,” Kerner says. “That was really cool to be a part of.”

On the home front, two kiddos joined the Kerner family ranks – a pair of boys now age 4 and 7 years old.