The Business Journal salutes "40 under 40"

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Who are Milwaukee's "up-and-comers" -- the people who are expected to have a significant say in the city's future? Many of them are among the Business Journal's "40 under 40."

Every year for the past 21 years, editors at the Business Journal names the 40 young professionals under the age of 40 in the Milwaukee area identified as being in the wave of influential future leaders. They are people who may not be well-known... yet.

"At the beginning we thought, 'Yeah, maybe three years we'll do this, maybe four years.' I'm not sure there's enough people here to do it. But every year it gets bigger and bigger," said Mark Kass, Business Journal editor.

The Business Journal got almost 300 nominations on its website for this year's selection. That was whittled down to the 40.

30-year-old Michael Kleber made the cut.

"I'm honored, ah, surprised a little bit and just happy that I am a part of this. This is an amazing publication," said Kleber.

Kleber is the leasing director for Zilber Property Group. He's facilitated the sell of the Wells building in downtown Milwaukee and part of the Pabst to Cardinal Stritch.

A couple of years ago, Kleber and a couple of friends started Young Milwaukee, a non-profit that caters to young professionals and helps children. Its holiday gala raises money and provides donated toys for the children of Milwaukee's Journey House.

"It's important to be successful at work. But for us, we also want to see how you're helping the community as a whole," said Kass.

Like Kleber, the other 39 juggle the two areas successfully. The list includes executives, artists, lawyers, doctors and people in areas including finance and sports.

The Business Journal's full-color profile publication of the "40 under 40" will be published on February 21st. Winners will be honored in a special awards event on February 24th.