Ten Midwest Voices contributors are selected annually to write opinion columns that appear on Saturdays. Writers are invited to apply at the end of each year to serve the following year, January-December.



Doug Allen

Doug Allen

Residence: Shawnee.

Work experience: 30 years in the technology industry. I’ve been in computer retail, banking and higher education — always trying to find the best way for technology to improve the business.

Interests: The future, classical music, education and community theater.




Emily Allen

Emily Allen

Residence: Kearney, Mo.

Work experience: Freelance writer, former editor of The Kearney Courier, and now communications specialist at the International Association of Administrative Professionals and editor of the association’s magazine, OfficePro.

Interests: Women’s rights, sci-fi, Abyssinians, books, swimming, cooking, music, writing and definitely pedicures.




Kerry Hubbard

Kerry Hubbard

Residence: Overland Park.

Work experience: Stay-at-home mom for 17 years.

Interests: I like writing, volunteering with Boys Hope, good food and wine, local opinions on national politics, talk radio and pretty much anything at Home Depot.




Denzyl Janneker

Denzyl Janneker

Residence: Durban, South Africa, but living in Kansas City.

Work experience: Journalist in newspaper, radio and TV news, on sabbatical to complete journalism master’s at KU.

Interests: Current affairs, wildlife, off-the-beaten-track travel and mindless action flicks.




Larry Marsh

Larry Marsh

Residence: Kansas City.

Work experience: Economics professor at University of Notre Dame for 30 years. Vietnam veteran.

Interests: Econometrics (fun with numbers) and economics (fun with other people’s money).




Grant Martin

Grant Martin

Residence: Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

Work experience: Army officer going on 11 years. All of my comments are my own and do not represent the views of any U.S. government department or agency.

Interests: Economics, soccer, unconventional warfare and Book TV on C-Span.




Arturo Mora

Arturo Mora

Residence: Overland Park.

Work experience: 22 years in printing, publishing or advertising-marketing, the last six months at trade publisher Penton Media after moving from my lifelong home of Chicago (in the Land of Lincoln and the comedy team of Blago and Burris).

Interests: Writing, politics, spirituality, baseball (still a Cubs fan, sorry Royals), biking, the great outdoors and sleeping.




Tina Morrison

Tina Morrison

Residence: Lee’s Summit.

Work experience: Performer and owner of two local comedy troupes.

Interests: Theater, board games, TiVo, healthy debates and procrastination with the help of Facebook.




Heidi Moyer

Heidi Moyer

Residence: Kansas City.

Work experience: Former trial lawyer, looking for an exciting new career.

Interests: Politics, women’s issues, books, history and gardening.




Justin Sorg

Justin Sorg

Residence: Lenexa.

Work experience: Four years as a Navy surface warfare officer.

Interests: Political theory, guitar, fishing, writing, darts, various intellectual pursuits and attempts at other smart-people stuff.