St. Louis, Missouri (January 18, 2002) - More than 200 individuals were nominated for the St. Louis Business Journal's eighth annual 40 Under 40. The difficult task of winnowing these 200-plus nominations down to 40 winners, all of whom were under 40 years of age as of Jan. 18, fell to a committee of 40 Under 40 alumni. A key criteria this committee considered while making their choices was: Who are the leaders we will be seeing on the front page of the Business Journal in the next 10 years?

Our search for the headline-makers of the next decade included considering professional achievements and community involvement as well as looking for people who have the energy and courage to initiate change. One of our committee members continually challenged us to consider: Is this person making a difference or do they just have a really good job?

As our reporters and free-lance writers interviewed this year's honorees, they asked them what they thought their headlines would say when they made the Business Journal's front page. Some of the winners had ambitious goals: Julie Ledbetter envisioned Castle Construction acquiring Alberici, and Wendy Monso hoped to open Edward Jones headquarters buildings on five continents. Other suggested headlines revealed hopes for drastic career changes: Jesse David Mass, business manager for the St. Lunatics rap group, hoped to open a school; Andrew Baur, senior vice president of Southwest Bank, admitted to a dream to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Several past 40 Under 40 winners have already made front page news.

A special thanks goes to this year's 40 Under 40 sponsors, Whitfield School and the Missouri Saving for Tuition Program.

RELEASE: ©2002 St. Louis Business Journal By: Angela Mueller. All rights reserved.