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Col. Mike Pankau is second in command of the 139th Airlift Wing. He said his job comes with plenty of responsibility.

Comedian and social commentator Will Rogers once said that the best job in the United States is that of vice president — “All he has to do is get up every morning and say, ‘How is the president?’”

Regardless, it’s at this point in a presidential election year that bets are placed on everyone’s favorite possible “No. 2.” Will John McCain choose Mitt Romney? Is Hillary Clinton going to be Barack Obama’s right-hand woman?

Landing the No. 2 spot comes with the potential to be No. 1. Theodore Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, Harry Truman, Lyndon Johnson and Gerald Ford were No. 2s of the 20th century who became No. 1 after the death or resignation of the presidents before them.

In most races, coming in second means you were the first to lose. But in business, it means added responsibilities in the shadow of the No. 1 who most often gets all the attention.

And sometimes, there is so much to do at No. 2, like in the case of the Midland Empire chapter of the American Red Cross, they have three people who fill the role. The St. Joseph Police Department also has three No. 2s.

Check out some of St. Joseph’s number twos.

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Vice Wing Commander Mike Pankau | 139th Airlift Wing

Mr. Pankau claims to have the best job on base. When asked if he’s serious, he confirms.

“I love it.”

He started his career as a navigator with the Airlift Wing 24 years ago. Today he’s tasked with administrative duties on the ground and about a week out of the month, he’s the top dog while the commander is tending to other duties off base.

“I support the commander’s intent,” he said.

But as second in command, Mr. Pankau is in charge of the self-inspection program, manages the expeditionary force program, is the liason with the family outreach program and chairs the strategic planning processes and the steering committee for the next base inspection.

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Missouri Western State University | Dr. Joseph Bragin, provost

Perhaps it’s got something to do with the estimated $140 million economic impact that Western has on St. Joseph and surrounding communities that keeps Western’s leader in the limelight. The president of the university, figurehead of 5,000-plus students, rubs shoulders with every top administrator in the city and politician in the state. They get a lot of credit for the progress on campus, but as former president Dr. Jim Scanlon used to say, “It’s not me. It’s we.”

An important part of that “we” is the provost, a title given to a highly positioned university administrator who more often than not is the second in command.

Dr. Joe Bragin has filled the provost position for two years at Western. When the president is away, he’ll chair the cabinet meetings attended by other administrators, academic deans and director-level positions. Otherwise, he is in charge of academic programs and provides a leadership role to about 13 administrators and deans.

If the president doesn’t have an answer for the Board of Governors during a monthly meeting, it’s generally Dr. Bragin who fields it.

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St. Joseph Police Department | Cmdrs. Jim Connors, Larry Smith and Charles Robison

With a force of roughly 118 officers, there are three men who oversee three departments that make up the force commanded by Chief Chris Connally.

Two of the men are in plain clothes or business casual attire while the third is in uniform. But they are all commanders and just a step below Mr. Connally.

“We’ve all served in each other’s division so we’re familiar with each other’s operation,” said Cmdr. Larry Smith, who is in charge of the support services division.

Cmdr. Jim Connors, the one in uniform, commands the patrol division, also known as the “backbone of the department.” He commands uniformed officers who travel in marked cars and answer calls and control traffic. Mr. Connors is one of the more familiar faces of the force, as he’s often the media contact.

Cmdr. Charles Robison is head of the detectives division, which conducts investigations within the city limits. Mr. Smith’s division covers a wide spectrum of areas, including the communications center, records unit, department training, crime analysis, crime prevention and booking desk.

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St. Joseph Museums | Sarah Elder, Susan Noland, Kathy Reno

As director of St. Joseph Museums Inc., Jackie Lewin prefers a team approach to management. Her choice of second in command would probably span the list of her staff. But three of the top positions are the curator of collections, assistant director of administration and director of marketing and public relations.

Kathy Reno, director of marketing and public relations, is the one most likely to hop on a tour bus and show tourists the historic aspects of the town. She also plans the museum’s calender of events, field trips, publications, and, believe it or not, fields the odd paranormal research requests.

Sarah Elder’s position as curator of collections puts her in charge of handling artifacts, collection records, and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act duties.

Susan Noland is at every board meeting, keeping track of the minutes. She’s also in charge of bookkeeping, payroll, and “anything that has to do with finance,” Ms. Reno said.

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St. Joseph School District | Cheri Patterson

As the St. Joseph School District’s No. 1, Superintendent Melody Smith got to pick the No. 2.

She named Cheri Patterson — director of curriculum, instruction and assessment — the district’s associate superintendent.

Two factors influenced Dr. Smith’s decision.

Ms. Patterson oversees what Dr. Smith sees as the district’s top priority.

“The theme of her job is teaching and learning, and that is our job No. 1 as district,” Dr. Smith said. “The other piece in naming her No. 2 is that Cheri and I are very compatible. There is a huge relational trust there.”

Before Dr. Smith took the superintendent job two years ago, former Superintendent Dan Colgan’s associate superintendent (No. 2) was Mark Hargens, who was the personnel director.

Ms. Patterson rattled off all her duties. She supervises school principals and oversees curriculum, professional development and school improvement plans. She makes sure the district is compliant with No Child Left Behind and deals with student discipline and parent concerns. There’s more. Basically, name something related to what goes on in a classroom, and she’s in charge.

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Original Pizza | Derek DeAngelis

Original Pizza owners Rosario, known as “Lino,” and Teresa Ingargiola never get too far from their family business.

But when they step away for a few hours, they put their trust in one employee: Derek DeAngelis, an 18-year-old with an easy smile and brown, wavy hair.

Mr. DeAngelis has worked at the pizza shop for two years and now often opens or closes or runs the place when the Ingargiolas take a break. Either Mr. or Mrs. Ingargiola is at the shop at some point every day.

“He’s a hard-working kid. He’s like part of our family, like one of my own kids,” Mr. Ingargiola said.

“Many places would call him the manager or general manager. I don’t work like that. I don’t say, ‘OK, you’re the manger.’ I just give them a responsibility,’” said Italian native Mr. Ingargiola, who’s owned the shop for 10 years.

Mr. DeAngelis, who works at least 40 hours a week, doesn’t mind not having an official title. Mr. Ingargiola gives him a bigger honor.

With a big smile, Mr. DeAngelis said, “He thinks of me like a son.”

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Jimmy Myers can be reached at jimmym@npgco.com, and Nancy Hull can be reached at nancyhull@npgco.com.