Though his job with Ford Motor Company shuffles him about the country, Orta has gotten comfortable in North Kansas City for the past two years, finding a sense of fulfillment in what he can offer the community personally and professionally. Orta is Ford's Southwest Regional Government Affairs Director responsible for lobbying state legislatures and local governments on manufacturing and business- related issues in an eleven-state region. Prior to that Orta worked as Ford's Contribution Programs Manager, where he handled a $6.5 million budget and 200 programs and initiatives in civic affairs and public policy. Born in Cuba and raised in Miami, Florida, Orta's enthusiasm for Latino advancement has remained high throughout his career with Ford and with the Miami-Dade County Government before that. In Kansas City, he has been involved with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Kansas City. Orta was instrumental in starting the Latino Big Brother initiative in the area.

When asked for his most significant achievement, Orta responds, "I hope most of them are still to come."

So you wanna get elected? Here's the man who will do it for you. But you'd better be really sure, because with Jeff Roe's track record, you're liable to be holding a government post before you can say which way to the Capital.

Well, maybe not if you're just anybody. "I am proud of my role in helping to elect honest, dedicated public servants to office," says Roe. "The taxpayers have a greater level of protection when good people serve." He has been campaign manager or consultant for 25 different races. Currently Congressman Sam Graves's Chief of Staff, Roe joined his campaign for State Senate in 1994 and ran his re-election campaign in 1998. Roe went on to simultaneously run Sam Congressional campaign and his brother Todd Graves's campaign for State Treasurer in 2000. Roe must draw inspiration from his favorite book, Sun Tzu's The Art of War.

The native Missourian sees transportation and education as the foundation on which to advance the state's success. He believes the people need a leader committed to both. "Working within the government to promote those goals is a privilege," says Roe.

Chris Sally was given his post as Downtown Development Manager because he understands the need to go far beyond new investment to better the quality of its surroundings--what's exciting is that Sally has formulated a plan of action to get the job done. Working at the Economic Development Corp. for the past three years allowed Sally to cultivate relationships with the people behind the revitalization of projects, and to study local and federal incentives programs. As COO of the Greater Downtown Development Authority (GDDA), Sally believes "We have the potential to become the most important board and statutory agency in Kansas City." Sally has a hand in the Downtown Housing Initiative, the South Loop Area Improvement Plan for the performing arts district and the Downtown Parking Study to plan proactive place development in areas that have excessive parking.

Highlighting his past as a real estate analyst, Sally assembled warehouses in the Freight House District and sought creative financing for their historic renovations. Now he focuses on the future. Mayor Kay Barnes gives her approval: "Chris is an intelligent, articulate and committed individual who works hard each day to make Kansas City a better place."

Though many have the goodwill and desire to fight child abuse, Brenda Sharpe has the strategic planning, resources and media relations background to make a difference. President and CEO of Sunflower House since 1994, Sharpe guided the agency through major growth as it merged with the Child Abuse Prevention Coalition. She launched a $4.2 million capital fundraising campaign that was secured in 24 months. Sunflower House currently serves Johnson and Wyandotte counties as a child- friendly advocacy center and was named "Outstanding Victim's Rights Organization" by Attorney General Stovall.

With a master's in Student Counseling and Personnel Services from Kansas State, Sharpe has been in the victim's service profession since 1990. She began hands-on at The Crisis Center, Inc. and Pawnee Mental Health Services in Manhattan. Over the years she's held the role of spokesperson, volunteer coordinator and researcher for abused children's service centers in five communities in Kansas. Her greatest motivation for protecting youth comes from "a desire to create a safer community and family for my own two children," says Sharpe. She and husband Mike raise a son and a daughter.