DAVID ALLEN DARR

From an Ohio farm to Kansas City’s largest privately held company, measured by revenues, David Darr has advanced through the ranks at Dairy Farmers of America, where he is vice president of sustainability and public affairs. “I developed a passion for agriculture, a passion to support the viability of farmers,” he says. He has channeled that passion into action—leading the development of farm services that support dairy farmers’ viability. In addition to working with sustainability, he plays a key role in the design, construction and implementation of DFA’s interactions with its members and the organization’s operations.

One of his most notable achievements was the development and implementation of the Gold Standard Dairy Program, which addressed concerns of consumers, retailers and processors about food production and processing. The program assesses animal care and wellness, environmental stewardship, employee training and milk safety and quality. In addition, Darr worked with multiple manufacturing facilities to begin measuring the use of natural resources. The results of that work are used as a reference point for use-reduction efforts.

Outside the office, Darr is a board member of the DFACares Foundation, which supports the community through disaster relief and scholarships. He is also a board member and former committee chair of the National Dairy Shrine and sits on the Professional Science Master’s Advisory committee for Missouri State University.

COURTNEY GODDARD

Across the country and in offices Courtney Goddard will never see, hundreds of Park University employees at 41 campus centers in 21 states nationwide can thank her in large part for the quality of their working conditions. She’s associate vice president and general counsel for the Parkville-based college, where she works with third parties to negotiate, review and draft contracts, and assists with the collective-bargaining agreement between Park and its full-time faculty. Before joining Park in 2006, Goddard represented more than 20 colleges and universities in private practice, and her extensive knowledge of higher education and employment law has earned her national speaking engagements. Her courtroom composure, says, Eric Packel, shareholder for Polsinelli Shughart is “a model of the highest ethics and integrity.” Goddard, 36, is a three-time featured presenter at the National Association of College and University Attorneys’ Education Employment Law Conference, and she was a 2008 pick as an “Up and Coming Lawyer” by Missouri Lawyers Weekly. She showcases her leadership in multiple venues, including the Harvest Ball Society, Legal Committee of the Carriage Club, St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School Parent’s Guild and she chaired Hope House’s annual “Spring Fling.” She says she is “most gratified each day that I am able to continually advance my professional career while raising my young family and actively engaging in philanthropic endeavors without sacrificing anything.”

JEFF GEHEB

He’s the youngest member of VML’s executive leadership team, but Jeff Geheb leads like a seasoned pro. He sets his goals to “do great work for VML’s clients by cultivating a culture of innovation that provides jobs for some of the smartest technical minds in the world.” And his role of chief technology officer places him at the forefront of VML’s software development and delivery, where he leads over 250 technologists.

Colleagues say Geheb possesses an “amazing ability to bring simplicity to our clients each and every day in a very complex digital world,” and they credit his work ethic and knowledge for a great deal of VML’s client success. His efforts to adopt new Internet technologies and to deliver multiple customer relationship management platforms and technologies have increased growth and productivity—over the course of just two years, he has grown VML’s technology practice by 100 percent. Under his watch, VML now has technology practices and teams operating in New York, Seattle and London.

Yet he still finds time to work with faculty and students at Northwest Missouri State University on their career development, as a member of the advisory board. Geheb is also involved with the VML Foundation and is an active member of Saint Francis Xavier Church in St. Joseph. Jeff and his wife Jenny enjoy staying involved in the communities of Kansas City and St. Joseph with their two children, Graham and Evelyn.

CAMERON GARRISON

You might say Cameron Garrison works in the infant and toddler care industry, but not like you’d think: He’s an intellectual property attorney for Lathrop & Gage LLP, leading national litigation efforts in that sector against clients represented by America’s top law firms. He has also worked on patent, copyright and trademark litigation for well-known companies like Pandora, Inc. and Payless ShoeSource. Having already racked up a long list of accomplishments, he values his selection into Kansas City Tomorrow the most.

According to Garrison, 38, the most important thing he can do is exceed the expectations of his clients by getting them the most favorable results possible. He has led prosecution of trademark-infringement and dilution claims involving 14 federal trademark registrations and defended high-stakes patent infringement claims, all of which resulted in extremely favorable settlements and rights for his clients.

His work on the board for Saint Luke’s Hospital’s Children’s SPOT, he says, has been the source of his biggest contributions to the community. SPOT helps children with conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism and developmental delays. He was also on the board of directors for Lawyers Association of Kansas City’s Young Lawyers Section, Kansas City Young Audiences and his law school alma mater, Washington & Lee’s alumni association. Garrison and his wife Lora reside in Prairie Village with their two children.