Think MHK Podcast

We are excited to welcome Senator Jerry Moran to the ThinkMHK podcast this week. During this episode, our host Jason Smith dives into getting to know the senator from where he came from, where he grew up to how those experiences shaped who he is today. Senator Moran shares many great stories from his experiences working in the Kansas legislature to now in the U.S. Senate. He shares some of his mos...

Halfway through season three, and we continue to celebrate our inaugural 15 Under 40 recipients. This week we have Doug Barrett, Owner of 400 North Creative and Blade Mages, Owner of Middle with us. Doug shares his stories on why his efforts on improving the business climate in Manhattan are important to him as well as his experiences stationed at Fort Riley and why he chose to stay in Manhattan a...

This week we welcome back Matt Crocker, CEO of SPS Companies, Inc. During this year's Annual Meeting Matt was recognized as the C. Clyde Jones Volunteer of the Year. As one of just 4 Chamber awardees of the year, Matt shares how he felt receiving this honor during this episode. He also hits on the Chamber initiatives he is most proud to have assisted with and his work with many other community org...

This week we are back with two more 15 under 40 recipients. First we have, Ashley Urban. Ashley is the co-founder and principle at Cura Insurance, previously known as Alms Group Insurance. Ashley grew up in Topeka and came to K-State for college, where she met her husband. After graduation, she started working at Meadowlark before moving to insurance. Throughout the episode, Ashley shares why she...

This week we are featuring two more of our 15 Under 40 recipients, Jayme Minton and Summer Ott Dierks. The 15 Under 40 program selects 15 nominees each year to honor and recognize the accomplishments of outstanding young professionals who make a positive impact in the community and excel in their industry. Jayme is the Support Services Director at Meadowlark providing leadership to the service are...

This week we are joined by the 2022 Small Business of the Year award winners, Dan Knight and Tracy Anderson with Anderson Knight Architects. The Small Business of the Year award is awarded to a small business within the Manhattan community that exemplifies both business and civic leadership. Through years of involvement at the Chamber and throughout the community Anderson Knight Arc...

We are back with another 15 Under 40 segment! This week we are featuring Jeff Sackrider and Catherine McKinley. The 15 Under 40 program selects 15 nominees each year to honor and recognize the accomplishments of outstanding young professionals who make a positive impact in the community and excel in their industry. Jeff is the Customer Relations Manager for WTC. He shares his experiences moving fr...

For this week's episode, we have the 2022 Women/Minority Owned Business Award winner, Kasey Wilkinson with MHK Play Studio. Each year this award recognizes a diverse business leader who has a proven track record of excellence in advocating for others within their community and workplace. We were excited to sit down with Kasey to learn more about what MHK Play Studio is, her personal journey of ent...

For Season 3 Episode 3 we are featuring two of our 15 Under 40 recipients, Kate Ryan and Katie Seay. The 15 Under 40 program selects 15 nominees each year to honor and recognize the accomplishments of outstanding young professionals who make a positive impact in the community and excel in their industry. Kate Ryan is the Business Development Manager at McCownGordon. Katie Seay is the Chief Fiducia...

For the second episode of season 3, we are joined by Dennis Mullin, Chairmen of SPS Companies. SPS Companies was awarded the Cornerstone award at the Chamber's 2022 Business Awards Luncheon.  Would you believe us if we told you that SPS Companies ended up in Manhattan by accident thanks to a broken-down car? Or that SPS Companies keep their headquarters in Manhattan because of the people...

We are back with season 3 of the Think MHK Podcast! To kick off this season we are joined by the Director of the Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Karen Hibbard. Karen has worked for Manhattan's CVB since 1997, serving as the director for the last 18 years. At the end of February 2023, Karen plans to retire. During this episode, we highlight some of Karen's biggest accomplishments, her favorite mem...

Learn the facts about the Scorpion Biological Services project! To wrap up season two Jason Smith and Daryn Soldan take over the episode to share an update on the Scorpion Biological Services project. Jason and Daryn dive into the specifics of this project including size, scope, and the details of what exactly Scorpion Biological Services will do here in Manhattan, Kansas.

On the 20th episode of the ThinkMHK podcast, we are joined by Fort Riley Garrison Commander Colonel Michael J. Foote. COL Foote shares his past experiences with the Army. Jason and COL Foote discuss what the community and region can do to best support the soldiers and families stationed at Fort Riley. They discuss opportunities regarding spouse employment, childcare, schooling and engaging soldier...

This week we are joined by one of the Chamber's newest staff members, Mike Matson, Director of External Affairs. Mike joined the Chamber team on August 1 in this newly created position. Our leadership created this position to improve how we engage with our policymakers. Throughout this episode, Mike and Jason discuss their goals and objectives for this position as well as what makes Mike a gr...

This week Kansas State University's Vice President of Research, Dr. David Rosowsky joins us on the ThinkMHK Podcast. Dr. Rosowsky, Jason Smith and Daryn Soldan cover a wide range of topics from his career journey, what attracted him to Manhattan and K-State to why economic development is important to our community. They cover the unique town and gown relationship we have here in Manhattan and the...

In 2022 Board Chair Summer Dierks highlighted Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as a main priority of her chairmanship. As a result, the Chamber created its own DEI task force beginning in January of 2022. During this episode, we are joined by Summer Dierks, Lisa Sisley, chair of the DEI task force, and Doug Barrett, Chamber Board Member and VP of the Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills. During t...

Did you know 86% of all Manhattan Area Technical College graduates stay in the Manhattan Service Area? Jim Genandt, President of the Manhattan Area Technical College, joins us on episode 16 of the ThinkMHK podcast. Throughout this episode, we discuss all things MATC like their largest programs, partnerships with USD 383 and K-State, new lab editions, their facility strategies and much more. J...

Learn more about our local Kansas Senator Tom Hawk on this episode of the ThinkMHK Podcast. Senator Hawk represents District 22 for the Kansas Senate which includes Clay, Riley, and parts of Geary counties. Throughout this episode he shares his work with many great accomplishments including the State Highway Plan, establishing the 988 hotline and many more. He discusses how politics have changed s...

Jack Allston, Director of the Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation joins season 2 episode 14 of the ThinkMHK podcast. Jack shares his experience in the economic development industry from his first job to his future plans. Plus they discuss the history of the Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation, the importance of the Greater Manhattan Economic Partnership, and much...

This week on the ThinkMHK podcast we are talking about Classroom to Career, one of our region's economic development programs. We are joined by Kiley Moody and Jayme Minton, co-chairs of the classroom to career program. Classroom to Career was formed as a part of the workforce development initiative and efforts to reinvest in our community schools. Throughout this episode, they share the ins and o...

This week's episode is all the Hype ! We are joined by Hype Chair, Stephanie Pierce, and Hype's Chamber staff liaison, Amber Wilhelm. Throughout this episode, these ladies share what Hype, Manhattan's Young Professional Organization, is all about. From their mission and events, to why Hype is critical to the long-term economic success of Manhattan.

On episode 11 we are joined by the Director of the Aggieville Business Association, Dennis Cook. Prior to his position with the ABA, he worked as sales manager for Flint Hills Beverage and served on the ABA board for over 20 years. Dennis shares his experiences while being on the Aggieville Board and how it compares to his experience as the director. Throughout the episode, he also shares how you...

For our 10th episode of season 2 we are joined by Stacy Kohlmeier, Senior Director Customer Experience for Florence Corporation. Throughout this episode Stacy shares her career experiences including her past stent as the Chamber's Economic Development director when she helped recruit Florence to Manhattan. Stacy also shares the positive elements and challenges of being in Manhattan that she has no...

This week are joined by Nadia Arbelo, Business Advisor for the Kansas Small Business Development Center’s Manhattan District. Nadia is located at the (SBDC) office in the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. Thought this episode our hosts and Nadia discuss the many free resources the SBDC provides entrepreneurs in our region including resources on education, business planning, financial forecasting, all...

This week we are joined by Jill Sherman. Jill is the Office Manager at McCownGordon. Jill is currently on our Membership Committee and has volunteered with the Chamber on several different committees. Throughout this episode, Jill shares her experiences with the Chamber through serving with the Diplomats committee, Chamber Champions, Young Professionals and the Membership committee. She shares how...