Growing up on a family farm in the outskirts of Independence, Mo., Lenexa Assistant City Attorney Steven Shrout learned how to care for animals, work with his hands and find solutions to problems.

A puzzle master at heart, Katie approaches emergencies the same way she tackles 1,000-piece puzzles — through strategy and perseverance. At work, that means routinely inspecting the fire truck at the start of her 24-hour shift.

Laura Ehrlich is a familiar face and voice for Lenexa Parks & Recreation. For 15 years, she’s been a customer service representative but her real joy at work comes from interacting with seniors.

For Bobby Lyon, being a facilities maintenance technician is more than keeping things in working order. It’s about helping others, learning new skills, and seeing his handiwork across the city.

Watching the 9/11 terrorist attacks unfold on national television was the moment Hunter Tschippert decided he wanted to become a police officer. He was five years old.

A professionally trained flute player and a dedicated employee, Jennifer Martin joined the City of Lenexa in 2000 as a customer service representative in the Community Development Department, knowing very little about government or construction.