There are two kinds of community leaders. The first is obvious: mayors, county judge executives and the heads of companies, civic groups and non-profits. Then there are the "connectors."

Connectors are people who bring others together for the common good but often don't attract much public attention. They are grass-roots dreamers and organizers who know how to engage the right people, gather the right information, connect the dots — and get things done.
Tom Eblen
Herald Leader Columnist