We also should credit those who make our world a safer and better place. Doctors, nurses, medical researchers, police, firefighters, teachers and soldiers are among those who deserve our appreciation.

In that same vein, let's consider certain professionals and businesspeople whose jobs are essential, highly demanding-yet often thankless. They perform work that many couldn't handle, yet it doesn't always generate the gratitude it should. Here are a few examples.

Executive director

This top spot within chambers of commerce, economic development councils and various not-for-profits is challenging. Often these people must fight for funding from a limited pool of resources; grants can be tough to win, and in Southwest Florida there are oodles of carbon-copy events to compete with, from golf outings to art shows. Furthermore, executive directors must please constituents with competing agendas and interests or expect a fuss.

The Lee Island Coast Visitor and Convention Bureau, for example, recently changed its marketing tag from "Lee Island Coast" to the "Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel." Leaders in those places loved it, but others-in Cape Coral and Lehigh, to name a couple-didn't, and they made it known. Executive director D.T. Minich took the heat, confident that the new, well-researched plan made sense. But he'll likely endure criticism for some time. It's a scenario that's repeated often in our chamber of commerce-heavy area. The best executive directors persevere, or they do what others have done before them-enter the private sector and make more money.

City manager

When Cape Coral workers mistakenly connected home drinking-water plumbing to a less-sanitary water supply, city manager Terry Stewart had to offer the mea culpas, even though he had nothing to do with the mishap. Meanwhile the story hit national news wires, further embarrassing the administration. Municipal professionals everywhere face a high degree of scrutiny, not only from the public and media, but from the politically charged elected bodies the managers serve. City managers face political infighting that can delay important actions. They're also responsible for workers' actions and an array of emergencies, all while making sure the city runs smoothly and looks good.

School superintendent

The same day Lee County's school board named James Browder its superintendent, he became fodder for the media, as DJs on one local rock station lambasted the new official while admitting they knew little about him. Superintendents also answer to parents, teachers, staff and administrators who can be quick to criticize. And then there are the quarreling school boards of Southwest Florida that must be refereed. On top of it all, our rapidly growing districts are facing budget crunches. That leaves officials like Browder to seek unpopular tax increases because the legislature won't provide adequate funding. No matter how complex the causes, if the system is suffering, fingers point at the superintendent. No wonder this can be a revolving-door-type job.

There certainly are other difficult, often underappreciated jobs out there. When you think of one, go ahead and thank the people doing it. You don't have to wait until November.