NCI honors '30 Leaders in Their 30s'
By Jan Pollack

More than 250 colleagues, friends and family were on hand Friday to congratulate the winners of North County Inc.'s "NCI Salutes 30 Leaders in their 30s" at Norwood Hills Country Club.

As part of its 30th anniversary celebration, NCI recognized North County's newest generation of community leaders. The nominees from across the entire North County region included young professionals, civic and charitable leaders, entrepreneurs and municipal leaders.

In partnership with the North County Suburban Journals and News 20, NCI presented the 30 young leaders with an award during the luncheon. Jazz pianist Tom George, chancellor of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Brain Owens, jazz vocalist and recent UM-St. Louis graduate, entertained the winners and their guests.

Portions of "NCI Salutes 30 Leaders in their 30s'' will be broadcast on News 20 four times a day at 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. today (Wednesday) through Tuesday.

"These young leaders are the future of North County," said Rance Thomas, president of North County Churches United for Racial Harmony and Justice, and NCI vice president. "They are in a position to make a difference to the area and to our quality of life."

Honorees were Kim Bakker, SSM DePaul Health Center; Brett Barger, Lindenwood University; Adrienne Bland, Ferguson-Florissant School District; Daniel Boyle, the Boyle Law Firm; Ian Buchanan, Normandy School District; Krysti Connelly, St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley; Tanya Earls, Allied College North Campus; Keith English, an electrician with I.B.E.W. Local No. 1 working for Bell Electric, and a Florissant councilman; Tasmyn Scarl Front, Challenger Learning Center-St. Louis; Randy Gardner, News 20; Mark Giannotti, Venmar Systems Inc.; Lisa Glarner, SSM DePaul Health Center; Brian Goldman, Fastsigns of Bridgeton; Diana Gulotta, Hazelwood School District; Brooke Sisco-Holcomb; St. Louis Airport Marriott; Shane Hopper, Ferguson-Florissant School District.

Shannon Howard, self-employed; Doug Littlefield, city of Hazelwood; Michele McKee, Christian Hospital; Delilah Morkisz, charity volunteer; William Rogers, University of Missouri-St. Louis; John Shaw, city of Ferguson; Shawn Short, city of St. Ann;

Kedra Tolson, University of Missouri-St. Louis; Ken Trzaska, St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, Jon Vogt, Catering to You; Jamie Welby, Christ Light of the Nations School; Nicole Whitesell, Ferguson-Florissant School District; Renee Thomas Woods, St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley; and Clint Zweifel, state representative.

Sponsors of the event were Christian Hospital, Ferguson-Florissant School District, University of Missouri-St. Louis, SSM DePaul Health Center, Hair Benders, Favazza & Associates, Trinity Catholic High School, Zykan Properties, Vantage Credit Union, Boyle Law Firm, Commerce Bank, St. Louis County and St. Louis County Economic Council.

"This is a validation of the things I care about," Thomas-Woods said of the award. "Even when you think that it doesn't matter, or that people don't notice what you do - they do."

Bland, principal at Combs Elementary School, agreed.

"My work is important to North County. I hope to continue that work for many years through my boys and girls at Combs Elementary," she said.

Reach Jan Pollack at jpollack@yourjournal.com.