Growing up, Heather Feagans loved science and the outdoors. "Looking back, I can see my interests have shaped my career and life," she says. After receiving a master's degree in exercise physiology from KU, the Fairway native found her way into the bio-pharmaceutical industry. Eager to make the transition from scientist to salesperson, Feagans now has the chance to consult in the everyday improvement of patients' lives in Kansas City. She currently works as Central Nervous System Specialist and area sales trainer for Pennsylvania-based Cephalon.

Equally noteworthy are the strides Feagans has made in a philanthropic career devoted to the service of seemingly all things living. She implemented outdoor activities and education with the Kansas Wildlife Foundation, for which her father served as chairman decades ago. She's the outgoing president of SAFARIZ, a Friends of the Zoo group. Donating time to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as well, Feagans was a three-year committee member for the Late Night Walk.

Colleagues praise her enthusiastic involvement in civic organizations and her charitable nature. Feagans believes that her family shapes her values, and relishes in "being a wife today and a mother someday!"

At a recent practice for the Heart of America Chorus' Barbershop Harmony Show, a member of the group read aloud the letter congratulating tenor Mark Fortino on being named a Forty Under Forty honoree. The group erupted in cheers of support. Bank of Blue Valley's senior vice president and Chief Financial Officer has been singing all the way to the bank (for lack of a more accurate phrase) for five years. During his term as a senior officer, Bank of Blue Valley raised its total assets from approximately $250 million to $600 million, and has grown from 70 to 300 employees. Fortino brought ten years of public accounting experience to his latest job.

"A left brain accountant? A musician? I think it makes perfect sense!" asserts Fortino. He delights in the reaction from fellow bank directors when they see him on stage at the Music Hall with 12th Street Rag, his barbershop quartet. Fortino extends his gift of song to the Cure of Ars Catholic Church Choir, and serves in a more pecuniary way as treasurer for the Girl Scouts of Mid Continent Council. Sarah, his wife of fifteen years and their three children "make me who I am," he says.

Mark Garrett is deeply grateful for the support and encouragement family members and friends have given his quick rise toward a career goal. "I share my successes with them," he says. Garrett was promoted to Lawrence Production Center Manager for Hallmark, Inc. three years ago. Under his leadership, Lawrence Hallmarkers have increased the plant's overall effectiveness, resulting in savings of more than $5 million since 2000. He is duly proud of the strides his team took in workplace safety, reducing injuries by 25-percent using new technologies and improving employee work methods.

Garrett's strong faith drives him to honor God by serving both church and community. As a member of the finance committee at Holmes- wood Baptist Church, Garrett offers his number-crunching expertise. Within the Douglas County area, Garrett's presence is apprec- iated as vice president of the Lawrence Art Center, board member of the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association, and President of the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County. Each week, he keeps company with a seventh grader during homework-time as a part of the Bigs in School project.

Baby of the Forty Under Forty class at age 28, Kara Hendon has taken a bright-eyed trip from intern at Fleishman-Hillard to one of the international communication firm's vice presidents--inside four years. Hendon feels fortunate that her daily work allows her to field a cause she's passionate about in the fight against cancer. As VP of Fleishman-Hillard's Healthcare/Biotechnology group, Hendon works with clients like Genetech to ensure patients and oncologists are aware of novel cancer therapies. Hendon serves as a board member for the Mid-America Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, putting her energy and hope into searching for a cure. She also flashed her public relations muscle by making a success out of "Covering All the Bases," an ALS Association (dedicated to fighting Lou Gehrig's Disease) baseball fundraiser.

A baby of her own is due to Hendon and husband Robert next month--their first. Hendon has been inspired to volunteer for the Maternal and Child Health Coalition, as "improving the health of children and mothers in the Kansas City area" grew increasingly relevant to her these past nine months.