The QBS Express

What does it look like when a lifetime of unlikely adventures—escorting the Secretary of Defense on a Turkish ferry, commanding a geotechnical lab full of PhDs, playing cello to reset your soul—actually teaches you how to lead? Colonel Fred Reynolds is back for Part 2, and this time we get to the heart of it: the leadership maxims he's earned the hard way. Highlights Col. Reynolds escorted a sitti...

How can life take you from a small farming town in Ohio, with no money for college, to two combat tours in Vietnam, intelligence work across the Middle East, and a career that spans three decades of distinguished military service? That's the question at the heart of this conversation with retired Colonel Fred Reynolds — a West Point graduate, Army Ranger, combat engineer, and military intelligence...

The QBS Express was joined recently by ACEC KS President Brian Armstrong and Past President Agnes Otto. Take a listen as we look back at 2025 and look ahead to 2026. It’s not only a great review of ACEC Kansas activity, but also a chance to learn much more about our fearless leaders as they share their experiences and some nuggets of wisdom! Episode #35 of the QBS Express is available now! Highlig...

What does it take to attract and inspire the next generation of engineers? Hear directly from two standout scholarship winners, Matthew Young and Isaiah Choma, as they share their journeys, motivations, and what they’re really looking for in an employer. From switching majors and navigating internships to the importance of work-life balance and company culture, this conversation is packed with hon...

The QBS Express podcast welcomes House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard to the show.  Join us as we discuss his journey from childhood through the world of volunteering with the campaigns of others, and finally to his election to the Kansas Legislature and quick rise to be House Minority Leader.  Along the way we’ll discuss people, hobbies, and experiences which shaped his life and commitment to pu...

The QBS Express is delighted to welcome Kansas Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi to the show.  Join us as we go from an idyllic childhood in Colwich, KS to working on multiple campaigns, being a legislative staffer, running for the Senate and eventually attaining the role of Senate Majority Leader.  Along the way we learn about Senator Blasi’s inspirations, philanthropic work, and some of his fav...

The QBS Express was joined by ACEC KS President Agnes Otto and Past President Cameron McGown.  Take a listen as we look back at 2024 and look ahead to 2025.  It’s not only a great review of ACEC Kansas activity, but also a chance to learn much more about our fearless leaders as they share their experiences and some nuggets of wisdom! We will take a deeper look at their unique career journeys, the...

ACEC KS members are making a difference in the world with the work they do every day, but they also make amazing contributions outside of their “day job”.  Join us as we visit with Mark Williams, Curt Mader, and Jerry Johnson to learn more about the incredible amount that is given back to communities of need, and the impact it makes on the lives of both those who give and those who receive. From l...

The ACEC Kansas podcast sits down with Matt Volz, head of the Kansas Infrastructure Hub.  Tune in to learn more about what “The Hub” means for Kansas communities, economic development, public safety, and of course, ACEC KS member firms! In this episode of the QBS Express, the ACEC Kansas podcast, host Scott Heidner, Executive Director of ACEC Kansas, sits down with Matt Volz to discuss the Kansas...

The QBS Express, the ACEC KS podcast, sat down with key KDOT leaders to discuss alternative delivery and progress on specific projects using alternative delivery processes.  Join us as we discuss the history of state legislation opening up alternative delivery, lessons learned, and more. 00:30 Introducing Today's Guests 01:33 Unveiling Today's Discussion: Alternative Delivery in Kansas 01:59 Guest...

Join the QBS Express as we visit with Grace Lipford, a recent winner of both state and national ACEC Kansas scholarship awards.  Listen in as we visit with Grace about how the scholarship award process provided not just funds but contacts and experience.  We also visit with Grace about what she and graduating colleagues are looking for in an employer, the best ways to grab their attention, and how...

On this episode of the QBS Express, host Scott Heidner engages in a conversation with Brett Letkowski, the past-president and Cameron McGown, the current president of ACEC Kansas. Rightly entailing reflections on their journeys on the board, they discuss the organization's key events in 2023, the year's initiatives, legislative sessions, funding for water and vertical infrastructures, among other...

In this engaging conversation on the QBS Express, host Scott Heidner is joined by Calvin Reed, Kansas Secretary of Transportation and Director of the Kansas Turnpike Authority, and Greg Shieber, the Deputy Secretary and State Transportation Engineer for the state of Kansas. Both guests share a glimpse of their personal backgrounds, their journeys into the realm of civil engineering, and their expe...

Kansas State Treasurer Steven Johnson might very well have the most important job that no one ever really thinks about.  He shares with host Scott Heidner how he got to his current position and how the work of the treasury has an impact on the lives of every Kansan.  On this episode we discuss: A family heritage of farming since 1868 Growing up on the farm and the influence of 4H How farming has t...

Being involved in politics wasn’t even on Blake Carpenter’s radar until a class project at Wichita State led him to an interview with Representative Jim Howell that changed everything.  He shares with host Scott Heidner how that journey has led him to his current role as the House Speaker Pro Tem.  On this episode we discuss: Growing up in Halstead Being ranked a top tier gamer at Call of Duty (wh...

Host Scott Heidner is joined by Kansas State Representative and House Minority Leader Vic Miller.  They examine his life from the one room schoolhouse to his love for fantasy sports, as well as his involvement in politics beginning with his time at Emporia State as student body president.  On this episode we discuss: Growing up in a one room schoolhouse The impact of his father’s involvement The r...

Host Scott Heidner is joined by Kansas State Representative and House Majority Leader Chris Croft.  They talk about his life and military career that eventually brought him to Kansas and led him to taking on his current role in state government.  On this episode we discuss: The role his mother played in his life and finding role models for him Growing up outside Joining the Army and seeing the wor...

Host Scott Heidner meets with the previous and current ACEC presidents in Jeff McKerrow and Brett Letkowski to discuss the latest developments and the opportunity that lies ahead for the organization.  On this episode we discuss: Transportation funding situation Stopping some legislation is just as important Moving back to in-person meetings Legislative leadership and the upcoming governor race Ke...

The latest episode of The QBS Express features co-host Sara Clark with TranSystems and guest Chris Gutierrez, President of KC SmartPort.  Listen in as we get an in-depth account of how SmartPort came to be, who it serves, what part of the market occupies its time and resources, and how Chris's interest in this industry was sparked by collecting beer cans at a young age!

The latest episode of The QBS Express features co-host Jeff Keller with Burns and McDonnell and KDHE Director of the Bureau of Water Tom Stiles. Listen in as we learn about his interest in water quality from a young age, how he found his way to the engineering field, the services he provides to members, and the interaction that involves with ACEC member firms.

The QBS Express is happy to welcome co-host Shawn Turner with Transystems and Representative Richard Proehl to the show! Tune in as we learn about Representative Proehl's interest in veterinary science and agriculture, his time in the 101st Airborne Division, working as a rodeo clown and bull rider, and most importantly the importance of good infrastructure investment!

The QBS Express welcomes Chad Bristow, Director of Facilities for the Kansas Board of Regents, to the show!  Join us as we discover how a farm kid from Leavenworth County found his way from art to the world of facilities and design, the many ways Chad and the Board of Regents team partner with ACEC member firms, and some very interesting recent developments regarding the funding of university infr...

Join us as we visit with Keith Browning, the Local Road Engineer for the Kansas Association of Counties!  Listen in as we discuss how he found his way to the engineering field, the services he provides to members, and the interaction that involves with ACEC member firms.  Stay with us to the end and you may find out something you didn’t know about what Keith does in his free time!

The QBS Express visits with Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) CEO Steve Hewitt.  Join as we learn about the KTA’s mission, the customers it serves, partnerships with other states, aligned certain services with KDOT, and how technology is driving change.  And if you stay with us to the end, you may or may not learn about Mr. Hewitt being part of a dynamic 80s/90s grunge cover band…..

The QBS Express visits with KDOT Secretary Julie Lorenz and KDOT Director of Aviation Bob Brock to discuss the recently announced Kansas Supersonic Flight Corridor!  Learn the exciting story of how KDOT and partners all around the state proactively created and pitched this program, the opportunities and challenges that were met along the way, and what the future of this project means to Kansas bus...