Just by going to work, Kevin Kramer helps the Metro get rich. As senior vice president and manager of metropolitan accounts, Kramer oversees the bank's business development as well as the customer relationship management department. He joined UMB in 1995 and was promoted in less than four years to this senior office. Pre-UMB, Kramer took in seven years of experience with Enterprise Leasing Co. as an account-, branch- and then area manager.

Kramer spreads his positive, sociable persona around the community. After three years on the Union Station Volunteer Council, president Sandy Johnson remembers, "When he joined our group he didn't know anyone well, but he jumped in, found a niche, and made himself a useful and committed volunteer." He is also vice president of the Variety Club of Kansas City, a children's charity group. Yet Kramer is quick to share his most significant accomplishment: "Convincing the former Pam Schaefer to become my wife." He says the decisions and affiliations he makes are a direct reflection of what's best for his family and the type of world in which he wants his two daughters to grow.

Lori Kravets's entrepreneurial spirit first surfaced at age five, when she rented out her mother's good silver to the neighborhood kids who dug for treasure in her Wichita backyard. The silver was returned, but Kravets's flare for backyard business developed: today she is an assistant professor of business administration at Ottawa University, operates a business consulting firm called Building Blocks, and leads as Client Services Manager for the Kansas Women's Business Center.

When she began teaching at OU, Kravets received a fellowship grant from Wal-Mart to create a Kansas University Associate Small Business Development Center in Ottawa. In this advisory role, she began developing computerized accounting systems. Underwood's Plumbing Supply, one of Kravets' Building Blocks clients, reeled her in as its CFO in 1995. Under her leadership, its revenues rose from $100,000 to $2 million and was sold per their strategic plan. She and her husband Michael reside in Lenexa. Excited to expand KWBC's programs to women entrepreneurs, Kravets believes "education and entrepreneurship" are what really make a community grow.

"The Dunn Family would not have turned over the finance department of their $1.7 billion company to a ‘kid' without a great mentor," explains Gordon Lansford. The 32-year-old CFO of J.E. Dunn Construction credits Bob Long, then Chairman of Dunn Industries, with passing along the finance executive know-how that landed Lansford his Senior Vice President status in just four years.

Lansford graduated Summa Cum Laude from Baker University with degrees in accounting and business. After spending three years with a "Big Four" accounting firm and earning his CPA license, Lansford signed on with J.E. Dunn as internal auditor.

He says he quickly learned from the Dunn family the importance of giving time back to the community, which is why he tends to the financial departments of the Boys & Girls Club of Kansas City and the Jim Eisenreich Foundation for children with Tourette Syndrome. He also keeps up with his brothers in Delta Tau Delta Fraternity as the House Corporation President. Lansford is constantly inspired by his wife Marti's positive spirit and energy as they raise three children.

Captain Rich Lockhart was hired on to KCMO Police Department in 1990, and hasn't used a sick day since. This flawless attendance record reflects a diligent work ethic that underscores all of his accomplishments. Lockhart created a new catalogue-based training program for metro area police departments, acquired two new command post busses, and made a promotional video to attract a national police convention to Kansas City. The latter supports Lockhart's placement as department spokesperson and commander of its Media Relations Office. He received the title of Captain in May of 2000. "My management philosophy is very simple: treat people fairly," he explains. This allows Lockhart to motivate those around him to perform their very best, and to enjoy what they are working toward.

"I also think education is very important," says Lockhart, the first member of his family to receive both a bachelor's and master's degree. He now teaches Juvenile Delinquency and Police Community Relations at Penn Valley Community College. Lockhart also coordinates education for all 250 members of the Liberty Church of Christ, to which he, wife Shirley, and their three sons belong.