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louis williams Despite a gloomy economy, Louis Williams makes a positive impact on the viability of local businesses. He is the senior vice president at the Bank of Kansas City, a bank he helped to build from the ground up. “My primary focus is to help companies of all sizes minimize borrowing and maximize investments,” says 35-year-old Williams. “The need to effectively manage cash flow is always important, but in the current economy it can be critical to long-term stability.” Throughout the past year, Williams has shared his expertise with area companies, enabling them to become responsible stewards of finance. Williams shows companies how to be strong members of their industry and brings that same enthusiasm and willingness to work to his com-munity. This married father of three is on the board of directors for Ozanam, was on the parade committee for the America Royal and was a member of the board of directors for the Kansas City Club. “It is important to be involved in the community,” Williams says. “I seek opportunities to give time, talent and treasure. I guide employees to get involved in areas of the community that are important to them.” |
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james windmiller Taking one company to the top of the list of fastest growing businesses in the area is an achievement. James Windmiller has done it twice. Windmiller co-founded Human Resource, which was named in the No. 2 spot on Ingram’s Corporate Report 100 in 2002. Now, Windmiller is the president and CEO of NEXTAFF, a company that he launched in 2003. In 2007, it was named on Inc.’s 500 list of fastest growing companies and landed the No. 1 spot on Ingram’s Corporate Report 100. “As a serial entrepreneur, I have always felt the calling to control my own destiny,” says 38-year-old Windmiller, whose company now has 10 franchisees in seven states. Nextaff donates 10 percent of its franchise fee revenue to charity, but his community building does not end there. He is a judge for Stu-dents in Free Enterprise and supports the National Federation of Independent Businesses and the Will to Succeed Foundation. “I support programs that provide assistance and opportunity to underprivileged youth and seek opportunities to assist young entrepreneurs,” says the father of two. |
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mike yost Michael Yost has cultivated a satisfying, successful legal career without sacrificing his family life; a balance, he says, that’s not easily obtained in the legal profession. “I pursued a rewarding career working in public service as a prosecuting attorney,” says Yost, who earned his law degree at UMKC. Yost entered the private sector as the in-house counsel for Terracon Consultants in 2003. Now, the 39-year-old is the engineering firm’s vice president/general counsel and principal. The firm, Yost says, is a good fit for his professional and personal goals: It recognizes that life does not begin and end at the office. Yost co-founded the Cass County affiliate for Habit for Humanity in 1999 and served on its board of directors. He is the current chair for ASFE The Best People on Earth and is on the legal counsel’s forum of the Amer-ican Council of Engineering Companies. Yost is married with three child-ren, one with Down syndrome. “Raising a child with special needs is a remarkable experience, but it requires a significant emotional commitment,” says Yost, who is active in the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City. “My choices and experiences give me the confidence to pursue such a challenging task.” |
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