PODCAST · business
The QBS Express
by ACEC of Kansas
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!
Episodes
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The Engineer in Congress: Rep. Ron Estes on Tax Policy and QBS
In this special episode of the QBS Express, recorded in Washington, D.C., we partner with ACEC National’s Engineering Influence and sit down with U.S. Representative Ron Estes of Kansas for a conversation on tax policy, infrastructure, and regulatory reform. About the Guest: Representative Ron...
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Congressman Derek Schmidt Talks Infrastructure, QBS, and the Road to D.C.
In this special episode of the QBS Express — recorded in Washington, D.C. — host Scott Heidner (Executive Director, ACEC Kansas) and co-host Rob Krewson (President, ACEC Kansas) sit down with U.S. Representative Derek Schmidt of Kansas for a wide-ranging conversation on infrastructure, policy…
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Collaborative Success | De Soto's Blueprint for Economic Expansion
What happens when a city of 6,000 people lands the largest economic development project in the history of its state? That's exactly what De Soto, Kansas is navigating right now — and the story behind how they got there is one worth telling. I sat down in De Soto with City Administrator Mike...
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Leadership and Legacy: A Conversation with Col. Fred Reynolds (Part 2)
What does it look like when a lifetime of unlikely adventures—escorting the Secretary of Defense on a Turkish ferry, commanding a geotechnical lab full of PhDs, playing cello to reset your soul—actually teaches you how to lead? Colonel Fred Reynolds is back for Part 2, and this time we get to the...
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Leadership and Legacy: A Conversation with Col. Fred Reynolds (Part 1)
How can life take you from a small farming town in Ohio, with no money for college, to two combat tours in Vietnam, intelligence work across the Middle East, and a career that spans three decades of distinguished military service? That's the question at the heart of this conversation with retired...
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In the Room Where It Happens: ACEC Kansas Past and Present Presidents Share Their Stories
The QBS Express was joined recently by ACEC KS President Brian Armstrong and Past President Agnes Otto. Take a listen as we look back at 2025 and look ahead to 2026. It’s not only a great review of ACEC Kansas activity, but also a chance to learn much more about our fearless leaders as they share...
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Engineering the Future: What Tomorrow's Engineers want in a Career
What does it take to attract and inspire the next generation of engineers? Hear directly from two standout scholarship winners, Matthew Young and Isaiah Choma, as they share their journeys, motivations, and what they’re really looking for in an employer. From switching majors and navigating...
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From Pool Shark to Public Servant: The Journey of House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard
The QBS Express podcast welcomes House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard to the show. Join us as we discuss his journey from childhood through the world of volunteering with the campaigns of others, and finally to his election to the Kansas Legislature and quick rise to be House Minority Leader....
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From Small Town Roots to State Leadership: Get to Know Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi
The QBS Express is delighted to welcome Kansas Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi to the show. Join us as we go from an idyllic childhood in Colwich, KS to working on multiple campaigns, being a legislative staffer, running for the Senate and eventually attaining the role of Senate Majority…
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Leadership Journeys and Industry Insights: Our Annual Conversation with the Past and Current ACEC Presidents
The QBS Express was joined by ACEC KS President Agnes Otto and Past President Cameron McGown. Take a listen as we look back at 2024 and look ahead to 2025. It’s not only a great review of ACEC Kansas activity, but also a chance to learn much more about our fearless leaders as they share their...
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Engineering Change: Celebrating Philanthropy within ACEC Kansas
ACEC KS members are making a difference in the world with the work they do every day, but they also make amazing contributions outside of their “day job”. Join us as we visit with Mark Williams, Curt Mader, and Jerry Johnson to learn more about the incredible amount that is given back to...
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Building Kansas: Matt Volz on the Kansas Infrastructure Hub
The ACEC Kansas podcast sits down with Matt Volz, head of the Kansas Infrastructure Hub. Tune in to learn more about what “The Hub” means for Kansas communities, economic development, public safety, and of course, ACEC KS member firms! In this episode of the QBS Express, the ACEC Kansas podcast,...
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Innovating Infrastructure: Alternative Delivery in Kansas Transportation
The QBS Express, the ACEC KS podcast, sat down with key KDOT leaders to discuss alternative delivery and progress on specific projects using alternative delivery processes. Join us as we discuss the history of state legislation opening up alternative delivery, lessons learned, and more. 00:30...
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Bridging Futures: Grace Lipford on Engineering, Scholarships, and Career Visions
Join the QBS Express as we visit with Grace Lipford, a recent winner of both state and national ACEC Kansas scholarship awards. Listen in as we visit with Grace about how the scholarship award process provided not just funds but contacts and experience. We also visit with Grace about what she and...
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Reflections and Possibilities with the Presidents of ACEC
On this episode of the QBS Express, host Scott Heidner engages in a conversation with Brett Letkowski, the past-president and Cameron McGown, the current president of ACEC Kansas. Rightly entailing reflections on their journeys on the board, they discuss the organization's key events in 2023, the...
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KDOT Transportation Tales w/ Calvin Reed and Greg Shieber
In this engaging conversation on the QBS Express, host Scott Heidner is joined by Calvin Reed, Kansas Secretary of Transportation and Director of the Kansas Turnpike Authority, and Greg Shieber, the Deputy Secretary and State Transportation Engineer for the state of Kansas. Both guests share a...
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All the Numbers w/ Steven Johnson, Kansas State Treasurer
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...
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A Chance Encounter Leads to a Political Career with Blake Carpenter, Kansas State Representative, 81st District
Being involved in politics wasn’t even on Blake Carpenter’s radar until a class project at Wichita State led him to an interview with Representative Jim Howell that changed everything. He shares with host Scott Heidner how that journey has led him to his current role as the House Speaker Pro Tem....
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From Student Body President to House Minority Leader with Vic Miller, Kansas State Representative, 58th District
Host Scott Heidner is joined by Kansas State Representative and House Minority Leader Vic Miller. They examine his life from the one room schoolhouse to his love for fantasy sports, as well as his involvement in politics beginning with his time at Emporia State as student body president. On this...
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A Journey of Service with Chris Croft, Kansas State Representative, 8th District
Host Scott Heidner is joined by Kansas State Representative and House Majority Leader Chris Croft. They talk about his life and military career that eventually brought him to Kansas and led him to taking on his current role in state government. On this episode we discuss: The role his mother…
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Looking back and forward with current and past ACEC Presidents Jeff McKerrow and Brett Letkowski
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…
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The QBS Express ft. co-host Sara Clark and President of KC SmartPort Chris Gutierrez
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...
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The QBS Express ft. co-host Jeff Keller and KDHE Director of the Bureau of Water Tom Stiles
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...
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The QBS Express ft. co-host Steve Turner and Representative Richard Proehl
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...
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The QBS Express ft. Chad Bristow
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…
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The QBS Express ft. Keith Browning
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…
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The QBS Express ft. Steve Hewitt
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...
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The QBS Express ft. Julie Lorenz and Bob Brock
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…
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The QBS Express ft. Frank White
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...
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The QBS Express ft. Gary Janzen
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...
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The QBS Express ft. Kansas Engineering College Deans
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…
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The QBS Express ft. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly
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.…
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The QBS Express ft. Jerry Stump
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...
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QBS Express ft. ACEC National President Linda Darr
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.
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QBS Express ft. Julie Lorenz
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!
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The QBS Express ft. Tim Cowden, KCADC
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.
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QBS Express ft. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt
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!
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The QBS Express ft. Ron Ryckman
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...
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The QBS Express Ft. Blaine Finch
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…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The QBS Express have?
The QBS Express currently has 39 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The QBS Express about?
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!
How often does The QBS Express release new episodes?
The QBS Express has 39 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The QBS Express?
You can listen to The QBS Express on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The QBS Express?
The QBS Express is created and hosted by ACEC of Kansas.
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