The Kansas City Star Editorial Board names the Reader Advisory Panelists annually from the community. The panel, which serves from July-June, meets with the editorial board twice monthly to discuss ideas for editorials, and emails ideas more frequently.
Danette Gamble
Residence: Shawnee, Kan
Work experience: I’ve written three books; unfortunately, I’m still waiting for a good publisher. At present, I am an assistant at a bio-tech company.
Interests: I am a news junkie. However, if a good hockey game is on, I switch the channel from political skirmishing to a more civilized form of combat.
Political leanings: I tend to be more conservative in most areas. I lean a bit to the right on some issues and a bit to the left on others. I see myself as someone who stands straight and strong on what I believe to be true and just.
Dean Hubbard
Residence: Kansas City
Work experience: Pastor, linguist (in Asia while living in Korea) and educator. Retired in July after 25 years as president of Northwest Missouri State University. President before that at Union College, Lincoln, Neb.
Interests: Politics, education, foreign affairs, woodworking, music, theatre, art.
Political leanings: I used to pride myself on being bipartisan — economically conservative and socially liberal. What we’ve seen in the last few years has driven me away from the conservative label although I still enjoy reading social moderates such as David Brooks.
Larry Jackson
Residence: Kansas City, Kan.
Work experience: Widely varied — comedy writer for Redd Foxx, screenplay writer, freelance music critic, educator and law school. Now a legal researcher and writing analyst.
Interests: Spirituality; stemming the tide of violence among young black men; watching college and professional basketball; exercising; great friends and times to remember.
Political leanings: A progressive on the wild side of conservatism.
Maggie Jackson
Residence: Northland
Work experience: Environmental trainer in a program called Leave No Trace. I hold a degree in education. I use my experiences to home-school my children.
Interests: This summer I took a solo Katy Trail cycling trip across Missouri. I’m a living-history volunteer, and involved in scouting, traveling, research, my children and spending quality time with my husband.
Political leanings: I am a registered Independent, but lean toward Libertarian views.
Tom Nelson
Residence: Brookside
Work experience: Founding partner of BNIM Architects. Now officially retired and enjoying it.
Interests: Reading (history, politics), traveling (about anywhere), fly fishing (which proves that you can love something you’re not very good at).
Political leanings: Unreconstructed (but mellowed) old Kennedy liberal. I actually believe there are some things government can do well.
Tom Ryan
Residence: Crossroads
Work experience: Freelance writer, pub owner in England, consultant in Nigeria, security trainer, software design writer, teacher and soldier.
Interests: Film, travel and books: I read entirely too much. Golf: Been playing since I was seven and still haven’t figured it out.
Political leanings: A William F. Buckley Jr.-bred conservative beginning in 1969. Presently believe David Brooks of the New York Times has inherited Buckley’s wisdom. I am probably labeled a moderate conservative.