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.
George Harris
Residence: Kansas City
Work experience: Currently in private practice of psychology. Formerly professor of criminal justice at Washburn University.
Interests: Cognitive psychology (how people reach conclusions); people with disabilities; tennis.
Political leanings: I try not to lean. Mom said not to slouch either. I have no idea what people mean anymore when they say someone is liberal or conservative. I think there is only one party in America today: The Corporate Party. But government should regulate.
Annie Morrison
Residence: Kansas City
Work experience: I am a second-year law student at UMKC. During the summer, I have been a law intern. Experiences include research for the U.S. Department of Education and pulling pints at The George Pub, London.
Interests: Humor, political discourse and public education. In my free time, I love to cook, read and travel.
Political leanings: While I am a dedicated Democrat, I see many merits in political beliefs outside my own. In the 2008 election, however, I think the Democratic Party is right on all the big issues.
Andrew O'Hara
Residence: Kansas City, Kan.
Work experience: I am an equity trader at an algorithmic trading firm. My experience includes time at a Wall Street investment bank, a small manufacturing business and a regional bank.
Interests: The three Rs: reading, running and the Royals.
Political leanings: I would describe myself as conservative; my friends would describe me as very conservative. I’m only 29 and yet I’m basically a grumpy old man who thinks everything was better before the hippies took over.
Matthew J. Palcher
Residence: Strawberry Hill area, Kansas City, Kan.
Work experience: Licensed insurance sub-agent for Mike Burns State Farm Insurance Agency and owner of Palcher Properties LLC, a real estate investment company specializing in urban renewal.
Interests: Community boards, church, Cardinals baseball games.
Political leanings: I am a pertinacious conservative who is not afraid to think outside the box. I believe in free-market capitalism, tempered with limited government intervention.
Bill Ramsey
Residence: Leawood
Work experience: Vice president, Bucher, Willis and Ratliff, Consulting Engineers, Planners and Architects. Retired public works director and city manager (30 Years). Retired colonel, U.S. Army Reserve, Vietnam vet.
Interests: Reading all types of material, particularly current events, horseback riding, snow skiing, all water sports and anything with a Jayhawk on it.
Political leanings: Dole Republican (fiscal conservative, social moderate). Probably more of an independent these days.
Kim Riley
Residence: Kansas City
Work experience: Marketing and community relations coordinator for Metropolitan Community Colleges -- Penn Valley.
Interests: Writing, traveling and changing the world so that everyone everywhere is given an opportunity.
Political leanings: I typically vote Democratic, but raising my son has forced me to carefully scrutinize issues instead of blindly supporting party agendas. Kendall has autism and is often shortchanged in a society that doesn’t value people with different abilities.