In Episode three, Jason and Daryn sit down with Aaron McKee, founder of Purple Wave. Aaron discusses his journey from Spearville, KS to Manhattan, where he started various businesses, including Purple Wave Auction. Initially, operated out of a building in Manhattan, selling surplus goods and liquidated assets. Over the years, Purple Wave expanded to multiple locations and now has over 400 employees globally, with nearly 200 in Manhattan. They focus on construction, ag, and fleet equipment, and have recently partnered with Copart to enhance their marketplace and logistics. McKee emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship and mentorship in business success.

In this episode, Jason is joined by Jeff Wick, CEO of 2024 Business of the Year award, WTC Fiber. Jeff discusses his background, including his time in Hays, KS, with NextTech and his role in revitalizing downtown through a community-funded brewery. Wick shares WTC’s history, from its establishment in 1912, to expanding its network to 750 square miles of fiber, covering rural areas and small towns. WTC’s initial focus entering the Manhattan community in 2016 was to provide service to local businesses, then expanded to apartments and in 2024, announced a $50 million residential build. Wick attributes WTC’s success to its customer-centric focus, community involvement, and motivated employees.

The Think MHK Podcast is back with season five! We open up our season by sitting down Dr. Richard Linton, the 15th president of Kansas State University. President Linton discusses his career path, including his roles at Virginia Tech, Purdue University, Ohio State University, and North Carolina State University. He highlights his family's involvement at K-State, the university's strategic Next Gen K-State Plan, and the $500 million in new construction projects, including the $230 million Ag Innovation Project. Linton emphasizes the importance of research, private-public partnerships, and athletics, and notes the $2.3 billion economic impact of K-State. He also shared personal anecdotes about his family and interests.