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.
C.E. Austin
Residence: Fort Leavenworth area.
Work Experience: U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot for 12 years. Seven deployments: Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, Korea, Italy, Africa. Now humbly serving our country at the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies at Fort Leavenworth.
Interests: Pretty much anything that involves thinking or moving, preferably both, and preferably fast.
Jeff Banister
Residence: Kansas City
Work Experience: 27 years in the commercial construction industry, which has provided a variety of opportunities and challenges along the way.
Interests: Travel with my wife, collecting wine (Is there anything better than a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir?), appreciating the joy of my chocolate lab, Godiva, and her yellow brother, Cooper, and bad horror movies.
Matthew P. Clune
Residence: Kansas City
Work Experience: I started as a sacker at Hy-Vee when I was 15 (I was very good) and now I'm a business litigation attorney at a small firm off the Plaza, Spradley & Riesmeyer PC (Incidentally, the views expressed in my writing are my own, and not those of my firm.) After sacking and before lawyering (and in no particular order), I worked as a legislative assistant/driver to a U.S. senator in D.C., a bartender, a laborer on a home construction crew, a law clerk/bailiff for a trial judge in downtown Kansas City, and a painter.
Interests: Still wish I was a pro ballplayer, so I play softball instead. I enjoy golf when I've got some patience and good company. I also like politics, books and movies.
Glen Enloe
Residence: Independence
Work Experience: Former advertising writer for United Country Real Estate for nearly 25 years. Also former graphic artist and direct mail appeal writer.
Interests: Poetry, leather carving, the Old West, collectable items, micro brews and the not-so-fine whine of politics.
M. Theresa Hupp
Residence: Kansas City
Work Experience: I am a retired attorney and human resources executive. I am currently self-employed as a free-lance writer and editor, mediator and human resources consultant.
Interests: I enjoy reading and writing, but only tolerate arithmetic. I have volunteered for Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Junior Achievement and a variety of political, church and educational organizations over the years.
Nancy Keller Kincaid
Residence: Kansas City, North
Work Experience: Professional substitute educator (middle and high school), motivational speaker and writer of slightly amusing essays.
Interests: I love doing the New York Times crossword puzzles Monday through Thursday, crocheting anything and everything, singing and being sung to, and being around people of all ages.
Lori Plank
Residence: Overland Park
Work Experience: Over 15 years experience as a mother, 10 years in the airline industry, five years as a political staffer/fundraiser/consultant and currently working as a voiceover professional.
Interests: Music, baseball, kids' activities, running, learning new things, writing, biking, travel and the future.
Angela Rouse
Residence: Kansas City
Work Experience: I am a former high school English teacher and technical writer, followed by a promotion to “Household Engineer,” which encompasses the disciplines of amateur early childhood psychotherapy and laundry and food services.
Interests: Reading, writing, cooking and golf.
Curtis Weber
Residence: Raymore
Work Experience: Registered nurse at Children's Mercy Hospital for the last 13 years.
Interests: Humor, cookies, theater, candy, photography, chocolate, travel, sweets, old movies and more cookies.
Kathleen McKenzie Winn
Residence: Prairie Village
Work Experience: I was employed for many years as a paralegal in the subprime mortgage industry. My responsibilities included tracking and facilitating the foreclosure of properties throughout the U.S. I lost my enthusiasm for that work long before the industry imploded and devastated the housing market. I left a local subprime lender about five years ago to focus exclusively on a freelance writing career. I have never once regretted that decision.
Interests: My husband and I own property in Cass County that includes a small native prairie remnant. I am very involved in prairie restoration and preservation efforts on our land and as a member of the Missouri Native Plant Society and other environmental organizations. I also love music, talking politics, riding my horse, camping and reading.