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 most proud accomplishments, what inspires him the most, and even some intriguing travel stories. Learn more about your U.S. Senator, Jerry Moran, and listen to this week's episode!

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 after his service.

Blade shares his experiences with the launch of Hype, Manhattan's young professional program, his work with the Chamber's recruitment campaign called Made for Manhattan and his newest venture of renovating the Wareham Opera House.

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 organizations.  

Listen to Matt's first episode, Season 1 Episode 4, where he discusses his previous role as Economic Development chair. Plus learn more about SPS Companies, Inc. in Season 3 episode 2 from chairmen Dennis Mullin.

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 decided to start her own insurance company as well as her experiences being involved in the Manhattan community through many different organizations. 

 Then we have Rebecca Robinson, the newly appointed CEO of Kansas State University Innovation Partners. Rebecca shares her background and how she ended up at K-State, as well as the evolution and mission of K-State Innovation Partners. She also talks about her role as CEO and the importance of economic development and corporate engagement for the university and the region. Finally, Rebecca shares her thoughts on being named one of the top young professionals in the region and the importance of recognizing the contributions of young professionals to the community.

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 area of sales, resident services, food and beverage, Home Health Services, and much more. She also has been an essential partner in the Chamber's Classroom to Career program. Summer is the past chair of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce and owns her own law firm, Dierks Law Firm. Listen in to hear more about their experiences building their career and families in Manhattan.

Want to hear more from Jayme and Summer? Check out their previous ThinkMHK episodes from season 2, episodes 13 and 17!

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 Architects was more than worthy of this award. Listen in as Dan and Tracy share more about projects AKA is working on, how their business came about, their entrepreneurship advice and so much more.

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 from Washington D.C. to Manhattan, how he brought murals and air guitar to Manhattan and how he has found this to be his perfect home.

Catherine is an Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Would you believe us if we told you she could recite all the US English prepositions in alphabetical order? That's just one of the things we learn about Catherine on top of the extensive list of organizations she's involved with and why she believes Manhattan is one of the best places to grow your career and start a family.

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 entrepreneurship, the Chamber's Childcare task force and more!

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 Fiduciary Officer at The Trust Company. Listen in as they share their professional accomplishments in Manhattan, why they have stayed in the area and what makes Manhattan such a great place to live, work and play. They also share some noteworthy advice for other young professionals moving forward in their careers.

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 in this vibrant community. Jason and Dennis discuss all of this and more throughout this episode!