ADAM LABODA

Adam LaBoda has no shortage of accomplishments at the law firm of Spencer Fane Britt & Browne in Kansas City. But the most rewarding use of his legal skills, he says, flowed from a passion for economic justice. “The payday lending industry is the scourge of low-income neighborhoods,” says LaBoda, 32. “With exorbitant interest rates, borrowers are caught in a trap where they are forced to repay their original loans many times over.” Working with a team of similarly motivated volunteers, social service agencies, faith groups and foundations, LaBoda helped form Fair Community Credit, an organization that provides small loans at rates fractional to those offered at payday loan companies. “Loan recipients have the opportunity for financial education to allow them to gain access to even low interest-rate loans in the future,” says LaBoda, who was recently elected to the organization’s board of directors.

The FCC vision fits neatly into LaBoda’s own view of what’s needed to strengthen the local community. “I believe that communities are judge by their ability to assist those living at the margins,” he says. “Fair Community Credit is already garnering national attention as other communities look to model this innovative approach and create similar programs.

A better community is paramount for another reason: He and wife, Sarah, are expecting their first child. The growing family is at home in Parkville.

JOSEPH LANGLE

From designing spacecraft instrumentation to the first anatomically correct robotic human, Joseph Langle has had a hand in some of the most innovative engineering in the nation. He leads the engineering section of MRIGlobal, where he manages and advises an engineering and technical staff of 44. With disciplines ranging from electrical, mechanical, chemical, and computer and software engineering, his section supports global solutions for government and industrial clientele. Through his leadership, MRIGlobal has grown a $20 million line of project revenue.

Langle, 38, previously worked for Southwest Research Institute’s Space Systems Section, where he was the lead engineer for projects that contributed to the Rosetta spacecraft, IMAGE spacecraft and the New Horizons mission to Pluto. Today, he specializes in the design for several of MRIGlobal’s engineering and design projects.

To make this planet a better place for his two children, Haley and Ethan, he has recently become involved with Académie Lafayette, serving as a volunteer committee chairman responsible for the expansion and renovation of one of the campuses. He’s committed himself to improving children’s educational opportunities, dedication fueled by his belief that “children’s education is one of the most important issues of our day, and I believe change can be made by small numbers of dedicated and motivated individuals.”

CHARLIE KOCH

Maybe some day, people who meet a similarly-named billionaire in Wichita will ask him in awe: Are you related to the Charlie Koch, from Bank Midwest? The younger Koch—no relation, and different phonetics—is the 37-year-old manager of treasury services for the Kansas City bank, and he’s played a key role in stabilizing the organization since it was sold by Dickinson Financial Corp. in 2010. Koch, say his colleagues, has helped re-energize the new entity with a blend of skill, effort and determination.

And another quality needed to succeed in modern banking circles: Competitive fire. That stems from his days on both the basketball and tennis teams at Baker University in Baldwin City, experiences that still provide guidance today. “Just like sports, the fine line between aggression and staying in control is what business is all about,” says Koch. “At Bank Midwest, I have been successful while experiencing the highs and lows of the banking business.”

He has played a strategic role in providing treasury management products and services for commercial customers of the bank, which is in the middle of executing an initial public offering of stock and has been on an acquisition tear for the past year. In addition, he’s a father of three, sharing those duties with wife Pam, and actively involved in causes to promote sports and fitness. That includes serving as chairman of the board for the Jim Stevick Memorial Scholarship Fund, named for the late Liberty High teacher and coach.

JON POTEET

Jon Poteet lives beer. Not “loves”—we’re not talking consumption here, although there are unconfirmed reports that he enjoys one occasionally—we’re talking about living it. He’s director of marketing for Central States Beverage Co., where every hour of every work day involves beer. Working with brands like Boulevard, Samuel Adams, Miller Lite, Coors Light and Pabst, the 37-year-old has quite likely touched most beer-drinkers in Kansas City with his market-building projects. Poteet has created the Miller Lite Fan Fest during the Big XII championships, free concerts at the Power & Light District through the Miller Lite Hot Country Nights and the Chiefs’ Playoff Pep Rally, to name a few.

His passion is being able to integrate and build brands within the local community. He lives it by creating unique opportunities to position brands in the market where customers are celebrating their favorite things. Whether it’s through ticket upgrades, sponsorships or partnerships, he makes brands part of local opportunities, or local opportunities for the brands. His work has created opportunities to serve the community in other ways. He’s been involved with Big Brothers & Big Sisters, United Cerebral Palsy and the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault. Community, he says, is what makes a company: “The community is what supports the business, so we’re obligated to give support, help others and give back to the people and organizations that support us.”