Think MHK Podcast

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 can join the Aggieville Board, the challenges and benefits of working for a membership organization, and why Aggieville so important to Manhattan. You’ll also hear some of the latest redevelopment updates for the district. Plus listen until the end to hear what near-death experience confirmed Dennis shouldn't pursue a career in farming.

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 noticed for a corporation like Florence. While also sharing her advice for a young professional getting started, why she joined the Chamber's Executive Committee and more.

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 the way to business succession plans. They also discuss the important partnerships between the Manhattan Chamber, Junction City Chamber, and Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation that work to keep an SBDC office in our region.

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 starting with her early involvement with Young Professionals the Chamber has helped her make lasting relationships and how she and McCownGordon continue to grow through the many connections that have been built because of Chamber opportunities. 

Tori Berard, bank manager at ESB Financial, joins Jason and Sharla on Episode 7. Tori shares her experiences with Leadership Manhattan from when she was in the program herself to being board chair in 2021. They also discuss how by getting more involved with the Chamber of Commerce her perceptions and understanding of what the Chamber has to offer have substantially changed. Tori continues to stay involved with the Chamber and is currently serving on our Membership committee.

This week's episode is packed full of K-State history, entertaining stories, great advice and even 100th birthday party plans! In episode 6 we are joined by special guest C. Clyde Jones.

C. Clyde Jones came to Manhattan in 1960 where he began working for K-State and quickly became the first Dean for K-State's College of Business Administration. Throughout this episode, C. Clyde shares stories of his proudest accomplishments including how he carried out the charge of moving from a departmental status to a school of business in just two years. Even how with some quick thinking and bartering he helped established the location of what is now Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

Within 5 years of being in Manhattan, he was named president of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce which was the title for lead volunteer at the time. C. Clyde shares his passion for leadership and volunteering in our community. Jason and C. Clyde also discuss why he finds the Chamber to be a great asset to the Manhattan Community.

On April 18, Governor Laura Kelly and several other partners announced that Scorpion Biological Services, a biological manufacturing company, will be expanding into Pottawatomie County. They will have operations from drug discovery to manufacturing and plan to construct a new 500,000 square foot manufacturing facility that could ultimately employ up to 500 people making a $75,000 average salary.

In this week's episode, we invited Rebecca Robinson, Chief Corporate Engagement and Economic Development Officer at K-State Innovation Partners and Daryn Soldan, Director of Economic Development at the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce to share some of the behind the scene details on the process of obtaining this project for our region.

In this episode, we are joined by Brian Rempe, CEO of CivicPlus. Throughout this episode Brian shares more about what CivicPlus does and his leadership journey. Brian also shares how close ties to K-State, the Chamber, and the City have made Manhattan a great home for CivicPlus. Jason and Brian also discuss the importance of creating an entrepreneurship ecosystem in Manhattan.

On this episode of the ThinkMHK Podcast, we are joined by the current Economic Development Committee Chair and Executive Vice President at KS StateBank Lowell Kohlmeier. During this episode, Lowell dives into the purpose of the Chamber's ED committee, their current top priorities and some of Manhattan's greatest challenges and opportunities.

We are also joined by Steve Altobello CFO of Shilling Construction and current Leadership Manhattan Board Chair. Steve discusses why Shilling Construction has been involved with the Chamber for decades and how Leadership Manhattan helped him gain a deeper perspective of what the Chamber does. Steve, Jason and Sharla also discuss all the positive impacts Leadership Manhattan has on those who have participated in the program.