Think MHK Podcast Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce

In episode five, Jason sits down with Jurdene Coleman and Bailey Hinkle, two nominees of the 15 Under 40 program. Jurdene discusses her experiences and passions for community involvement, highlighting the importance of bridging the gap between physical and mental health. Later, Jason and Bailey share their experiences and insights on personal and professional growth, emphasizing the importance of taking risks, stepping out of one's comfort zone, and making an impact. The guests also highlight the significance of perseverance, hard work, creating connections and resilience in achieving success.

In the fourth episode of season four on the ThinkMHK podcast, Arthur-Green, LLP Partner Attorney Bill Bahr discusses the firm's receipt of the Small Business of the Year award at the 2023 Business Awards, highlighting its significance and commitment to the Manhattan community since 1950. Bill emphasizes the importance of adapting business practices to stay relevant and shares insights into the firm's efforts to recruit and retain young professionals. Additionally, Bahr reflects on personal aspects of life, including his ideal blog or book topic and sources of inspiration.

In episode three, Jason sits down with Lowell Kohlmeier, Executive Vice President for KS State Bank. KS State Bank received the Cornerstone Award at the 2023 Business Awards, which honors a business that exemplifies what being a “solid pillar of the community” is all about.
Lowell discusses the importance of partnerships and sponsorships in fostering entrepreneurial ventures in the community. Kohlmeier also shares life lessons and reflections, highlighting the importance of enjoying life and people. Lowell also talks about his grandfather's life and the lessons he learned from him. Additionally, Lowell discusses his preference for working remotely or in the office, and provides advice he’d give to his 19-year-old self.

In this episode, Jason sits down with the Vice President of Pepsi Cola of Manhattan and the 2024 chairman of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors, Jake Wassenberg. Jake discusses his experience managing a family-owned Pepsi distributorship and provides insight on maintaining independence in a corporate-dominated industry. He shares the techniques for stress management he applies while serving in his many leadership roles and emphasizes the importance of gratitude and saying yes to everything. Jake highlights Manhattan's favorable business climate and also discusses the challenges of creating affordable housing and addressing workforce issues. Jake also reveals what one question he wishes people would ask him less?

The Think MHK Podcast is back with season four! We are opening up our season by sitting down with City Manager, Ron Fehr, who is wrapping up two-plus decades of service to the City of Manhattan. In the episode, Fehr discusses how he got into city management, after starting with the parks and recreation department in 1982. He highlights how partnerships with the chamber, university, and business community were key to the city's success during his tenure and reflects on the challenges. Fehr also reveals a hidden talent that you do not want to miss!

For the final episode of season 3, we welcome Brian Peete, Director of the Riley County Police Department. In this episode, Brian shares his story from growing up with two parents in the Chicago Police Department to his time in the Air Force and his past Chief of Police experiences all the way to what attracted him to come to Manhattan. Brian also shares what he views RCPD's role in the community is and what surprised him most about Manhattan.