40 Under 40 judges rise to challenge

The judges for the 2002 40 Under 40 met with SBJ staff at The Tower Club in February to begin the judging process. It was a daunting task, with 112 qualified applicants to choose from. This year's judges (top left) are Troy Kennedy, Springfield Trust Company; Brad Bodenhausen, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce; Michelle E. Baltz, The Copy Shoppe Printing & Graphics; Amy Ruggeri, City Utilities; and Steve Warlick, Bates & Associates, pictured here with SBJ Publisher Dianne Elizabeth. Each of the judges is a former 40 Under 40 honoree. Above, SBJ Managing Editor Clarissa French explains the judge information sheet to Warlick while SBJ Advertising Manager Steve Blalock looks on. At lower left, SBJ Special Products Coordinator Debra Fickbohm discusses the judging process with Ruggeri and Baltz. This year's 40 Under 40 event will be held at the American National Fish and Wildlife Museum at 6 p.m. April 25. Tickets are $12.50, and reservations can be made by contacting Fickbohm at 417-831-3238 or by e-mail at dfickbohm@sbj.net.