The QBS Express: Recent Episodes
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ACEC Kansas visits some of the most interesting and influential leaders across the state of Kansas to discuss current events and learn more about their stories and lives!
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 transformed over the years
- Working in the private sector
- Running for office to fix the underfunded pensions
- Making systems like KPERS work for Kansans
- The criticality of staff to make the legislature work
- Partnering with Kathy Wolfe Moore to work on the pension system
- The breadth of responsibility at the treasurer's office
- Helping Kansans find unclaimed property
- Supporting education savings through the Kansas Learning Quest program
- The ABLE Savings Plan
Other Resources:
The Office of the Treasurer
Kansas Able Savings Plan
KPERS
Learn more about ACEC Kansas
This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. For more information visit ictpod.net
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
- Keeping the train on the tracks (figuratively speaking)
- Increasing college scholarships
- Bringing back the emerging leaders program
- The partnership with KSPE
- How to be involved with ACEC
Other Resources:
Learn more about ACEC Kansas
Brett Letkowski, TranSystems, ACEC Kansas President
Jeff McKerrow, Kimley-Horn, ACEC Kansas Past President
This podcast is brought to you by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Kansas.
This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. For more information visit ictpod.net
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 Senate President Ty Masterson to the show.
Join Scott Heidner and co-host Travis Grauerholz as they learn about Senator Masterson’s childhood on a farm in Butler County, his thirty-one cousins, his journey to the capital, and his experiences as a senator!
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 infrastructure!
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 business, the aerospace industry, scientific/academic fields of study, and much more.
Five time all-star. 1980 American League Championship Series MVP. World Series Champion. An incredible eight gold gloves. The ACEC Kansas QBS Express podcast series is delighted to bring you our interview with Jackson County Executive and former Kansas City Royal Frank White. We hope you enjoy listening at least a fraction as much as we enjoyed the conversation!
Join ACEC KS Executive Director Scott Heidner on this episode of the QBS Express as we visit with Gary Janzen, City Engineer/Assistant Director of Public Works for the City of Wichita. We convince Gary to tell us the full story of his journey into engineering and public works, what changes he has seen through his long career with the City of Wichita, what challenges and opportunities he sees ahead, and what he does on the odd chance he winds up with some free time!
ACEC Executive Director Scott Heidner joins the Deans of the three Kansas Engineering Colleges for a discussion on the University Engineering Initiatives Act (UEIA). Learn more about how this initiative was born, the substantial requirements placed on universities in order to be a beneficiary, and the incredible success metrics as we near the ten year mark of the program. Nobody knows more about it than the Deans!
The QBS Express welcomes Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to the show. Listen in as we discuss life in a military family, the many places she’s lived along the way, why playing for the Yankees was her first career choice, and some of the best opportunities that come with being the Governor of Kansas. We also discuss issues near and dear to ACEC and her support for several of those issues through the years.
The QBS Express welcomes Jerry Stump, President & CEO of Volkert Inc and a Past Chairman of ACEC National. Join us as we discuss the future opportunities and challenges of the industry, what traits are found in good leaders, the most important political issues to our businesses, and the joys of hearing Merle Haggard music on the radio as a child!
Join us as we visit with ACEC National President Linda Darr! We discuss the career steps that brought her to ACEC, current challenges to the consulting engineering industry, and how ACEC will play a vital role under her leadership in meeting these challenges.
The QBS Express welcomes KDOT Secretary Julie Lorenz. We discuss what it's like growing up in a newspaper family, the unpredictable ways she found herself in the engineering world, classic movies, and of course future plans for KDOT!
The QBS Express welcomes Tim Cowden, President & CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council. We discuss life as an Oklahoma Sooner, following your dreams even when they take a detour, and the contributions of the engineering community in helping market the Greater Kansas City Area.
The QBS Express welcomes Attorney General Derek Schmidt. Listen in as we explore life as a child in SE Kansas, best political/career advice, hidden gems of Kansas, and what it’s like to argue before the United States Supreme Court!
Kansas State Representative and Speaker of the House Ron Ryckman joins the ACEC Kansas podcast team for a good conversation about what it's like to be Speaker, interesting sports figures he's had the chance to befriend, country music, great experience working across the aisle with the other party on policy issues, and his support of QBS!
This episode of the QBS Express sits down with State Representative and Speaker Pro Ten Blaine Finch of Ottawa. We discuss meeting your heroes, historic candidates for President (and their downfall), the saddest country songs of all time, and what to choose for good sipping' whiskey with one of the more engaging personalities at the Kansas Capitol!