Craig Citron

Citron, 38, a Partner with BKD, LLP, is the chair of the firm’s not-for-profit committee in Kansas City and participates on the firm-wide committee. His role as chair is to lead the business development and strategic-growth planning for the group, one of the largest in the Kansas City area. He is an audit partner who serves primarily exempt organizations and not-for-profit clients. Citron also oversees the company’s employee benefit audit practice in Kansas City. Citron is a board member for Jewish Family and Children Services, and he is serving his second year as treasurer. He also serves on the endowment committee for Temple B’nai Jehudah and is a member of the Heart of America United Way Young Leaders Society. A new father within the past year, Citron believes that “family teaches us a valuable lesson about the integrity and gratitude that should be present in every aspect of our lives.” He and his wife, Eve, are enjoying seeing Alex (9 months) discover his new environment.

Joni Cobb

A lawyer by training, Cobb, 39, has been President of Cobb Communications for the last five years. Cobb Communications is focused on strategic communications and public affairs and serves clients on both sides of the state line. In this position, she has worked on a number of projects that blended public and private involvement, such as the Bioscience Initiative in Kansas—working with both KTEC and the Kansas Bioscience Authority, the Truman Presidential Museum & Library, Union Station, and The Eisenhower Foundation. KTEC President/CEO Tracy Taylor calls Cobb “a true professional. (Her company) is in the mix on high-profile work only.” She is a member of the Mission Woods Board of Zoning Appeals, the Northeast Johnson County Economic Development Commission and the Mission Woods Homes Association, where she serves as Vice President. She is a former United States District Court Judicial Clerk. She spends her free time with daughters Lily (10) and Natalie (7).

Rita Cortes

Cortes, 39, is President of Hoffman Cortes Contracting Company, a fourth-generation family business. Hoffman Cortes is a sole-source provider specializing in development or redevelopment projects for multiple-industry sectors including medical, retail, commercial office, light industrial, warehousing, renovations and historic restoration. It also operates a wholly owned masonry subsidiary, Hoffman Cortes Restoration, Inc. Cortes served as vice-president and chief financial officer prior to taking over the management of the company in 1999. She also directs the development and management of retail, office and commercial properties. In her spare time, Cortes serves as a Director and Board President for the Kansas City Free Health Clinic, a Director and Board officer for the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, an Associate Trustee for the Jewish Community Foundation, and a Director for the Congregation Beth Shalom and Notre Dame de Sion School, where she served as assistant girls basketball coach for the 2001 and 2002 Missouri Class 3A state champions.

Christopher Dickey

Dickey, 33, is the Director of Barkley Evergreen & Partners’ Customer Insight Management team (called Digital Evergreen). The goal of Digital Evergreen is to develop strategies in database development, data analysis, direct and e-mail marketing, and loyalty and frequency program development. In the first two years, Digital Evergreen was responsible for $10 million in billings. Prior to coming to BE&P, Dickey was the COO of DataPlus Millennium, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in turning customer data into actionable marketing and business strategy. He is the past President of the Kansas City Direct Marketing Association, the third largest in the country. Among his accomplishments for which he is most proud, is his role with Camps for Kids, a not-for-profit that raises funds to send 2,000 sick or needy children to camp each summer. He has been President of that organization for five years. Speaking of kids, he and his wife, Suzanne, are expecting their first child at the end of May.