The Business Record’s sister publication, dsm magazine, is pleased to recognize the 2023 Sages Over 70. These seven Greater Des Moines leaders have made the city a better place to live through their civic and business leadership, mentorship endeavors and community advocacy. A reception will be held Nov. 7 at the FFA Enrichment Center (1055 S.W. Prairie Trail Pkwy. in Ankeny) to celebrate their achievements. Tickets and registration details will be announced soon.

Wayne Ford, retired state representative and former executive director of Urban Dreams. Ford served for 14 years as a state representative and as a longtime executive director of Urban Dreams, a nonprofit he founded in 1985 to support underserved members of the Des Moines community through education, workforce training, access to health services and more. He was also a community ambassador to Broadlawns Medical Center and co-founded its nationally recognized apprenticeship program to introduce at-risk youth and young adults to careers in health care.

Joe Gonzalez, retired lieutenant with the Des Moines Police Department, executive director of Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival. Gonzalez was among the first Latino officers of the Des Moines Police Department and helped establish its Hispanic neighborhood outreach program. He is the longtime executive director of the Latino Heritage Festival, an advocate for Lead DSM and a current or past board member for many community organizations, including Proteus, the Polk County Housing Trust Fund and the Chrysalis Foundation.

Tom Koehn, chairman of the board of the Waldinger Corp., and Linda Koehn, retired teacher and philanthropist. The Koehns have supported many of Central Iowa’s leading community and cultural organizations through service and philanthropy, notably the Des Moines Metro Opera, Des Moines Performing Arts and the Des Moines Symphony. After leading and expanding the Waldinger Corp. for many years, Tom now serves as the chairman of its board; Linda also serves on the board and was a teacher for 20 years before moving into community leadership.

Pat Schneider, vice president of Ferguson Commercial Real Estate Services. Schneider is the vice president of Ferguson Commercial Real Estate Services and a community volunteer who has lent her support to many local projects and organizations, including Drake University, the Des Moines Art Center, the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation, Junior League and Lead DSM, among many others.

Martha Willits, retired president and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Willits led the Greater Des Moines Partnership from 2004 through 2012, a time of hard-charging growth that helped the city attract national attention as a thriving place to live, work and visit. Her previous leadership roles included service as a Polk County Supervisor and president of the United Way of Central Iowa, where her record-breaking fundraising helped the nonprofit expand the range and reach of its services.

Doug West, retired financial consultant and branch manager for Wells Fargo Advisors. West pivoted from his early career in speech pathology and special education to become a savvy financial consultant for Wells Fargo Advisors. Before and after his retirement in 2017, he dedicated his expertise and resources to many local and state organizations, including the Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines Performing Arts, Iowa Public Radio and On With Life, which provides services for people coping with brain injuries and chronic diseases.