For the past 20 years, the Business Record has celebrated Forty Under 40. The honor has long recognized up-and-coming business leaders and the powerful impact young professionals make in Greater Des Moines.

Jay Byers, Class of 2006
CEO, Greater Des Moines Partnership

What’s one issue you’re very passionate about?

The Central Iowa Water Trails plan is the most transformational quality of life project of our generation in our region. Activating 150 miles of waterways and creating a best-in-class quality of life amenity will play a pivotal role in attracting and retaining top talent, driving economic development, growing tourism and ultimately helping clean up our water. Through public, private and nonprofit partnerships, this exciting project has already racked up some big early wins and continues to gain strong momentum. Let’s get it done!

What’s one of your everyday habits that helps you be successful?

I love to read. Warren Buffett estimates he spends up to 80% of every working day reading and credits much of his success to his reading habit. While I definitely don’t read that much, I read multiple newspapers every day, multiple trade publications on a regular basis, and on average at least two books every month. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

What advice would you give to young people who want to make an impact?

Pick one or two organizations or projects that you are passionate about and get involved at a deeper level. Demonstrate to other community leaders that you have good ideas and vision, are willing to work hard, collaborate effectively with others, can lead a project to completion and are able to achieve positive results. Make it a practice to under-promise and over-deliver. Don’t overextend yourself and get involved in too many things just to build your resume.

Class of 2006

• Paul Bishop
• Brian Bocken
• Brennan Buckley
• Christopher Burch
• Jay Byers
• Michelle Casper Barker
• Mary Charlton
• Megan Claypool
• Marianne Coppock
• Maria Davis
• Jacqueline DiGiacinto
• Monica Friedman
• Joe Garcia
• Terry Gebard
• Brian Green
• Chaden Halfhill
• Seth Hall
• Chris Haviland
• Lance Henning
• Mashal Husain
• Joel Jackman
• Sheila Kinman
• Robert Knudsen
• Matt McGarvey
• Thomas Moreland
• Rush Nigut
• Benjamin Renzo
• Nannette Rodriquez
• Paul Rupprecht
• Jeff Russell
• Keith Snow
• Kevin Snyder
• Behnaz Soulati
• Krista Tanner
• Gregory Weber
• Andrea Westmeyer
• Mara White
• Eric Wilson
• Brock Wolff
• Bill Wright