Overachievers are those whose achievements exceed expectations—“expectations” being the operative word in the equation. On the whole these are people of whom great things have always been expected. It is highly likely that under the high school yearbook photos of many, perhaps most, of these young men and women is the inscription “Most Likely to Succeed.”
That’s precisely the point of Ingram’s 40 Under Forty recognition program—to identify the young people in our midst most likely to succeed and to lead, those with the potential to make this a better community in which to live and work.
Collectively, the forty Kansas Citians in this year’s 40 Under Forty class, and the 320 alumni of previous classes, are fulfilling their vast potential. They are making a real difference in this city. Included in their number are builders and financiers helping recreate and revitalize our downtown and communities throughout our region; entrepreneurs whose ingenuity and enterprise are creating new products and new jobs; educators equipping our children to face future challenges; physicians and public safety officials working to enhance our health and security; lawyers and legislators dedicating themselves to a more just society; and leaders of charities helping shape a more humane society.
Because they’re uniquely qualified to make such judgments, we asked our 40 Under Forty alumni for their analysis of Kansas City’s current business climate. Perhaps because we asked the question at a point in time when the signs generally look good, those responding to our question were unanimously optimistic about Kansas City’s business environment. Not blindly or naively so—there were caveats and qualifiers—but because they’re well positioned to validate their own optimism, we should all take heart and take heed when they predict good things to come.
Ten years from now there will be 760 people who have been recognized by Ingram’s 40 Under Forty. The oldest will be approaching their 60th birthdays, and maybe some of their children will be among the younger people recognized. If they have stayed true to the promise of their potential, and if they have passed on to those children their willingness to work hard and to lead, there will be reason—then, just as now—to be optimistic about Kansas City. Good things will come.
