Out of Scope

We are back...finally.  After almost 18-months Kurth Lancaster and Jeff Hancock explain the lapse in episodes, the format, and the strange world we now live in.  Have fun.

In this episode Jeffrey Hancock visits with John Braun and Nathan Bergman, the current and past Presidents of the American Public Works Association (APWA) Kansas Chapter.  We talk about the purpose of APWA Kansas, the future of APWA Kansas, and the leadership of APWA Kansas.  Along the way we discuss engaging young people, the International Headquarters of Bartlett and West, and many other topics.

Jeffrey and Jen Hancock of SMH sit down with Suzanne Loomis and talk about rubber dams, the greatest old west gun fight that no one knows about, the flour capital of Kansas, golf courses, and men who need to remember it is not 1950.  Seriously, Suzanne is a great asset not only to the City of Newton, but also to Public Works in general and this episode will prove it.

In this episode Kurth Lancaster and Jennifer Hancock visit with Deziree Miller of GMCN Architects in Garden City, Kansas. This episode is a wild ride that will take you from Venezuela, Disney World, and hogs to maple syrup. I'm still amazed that setting a gas pump ablaze came up in this episode, but it did.

This time I traveled to Hays, Kansas and visited with John Braun (pronounced "Brown" I learned) who is the City Project Manager, about all the stuff happening in Hays. Man was I surprised to learn that the little town of 23,000 is bustling with activity, particularly related to infrastructure. Along the way I learned that John was once in the Air Force and he actually soloed in a T-37 jet. I've always found John to be an interesting person and this episode validated my findings. A great guy, an interesting person and in it for the long haul with the City of Hays. Be sure to subscribe to our show!

In this episode we visit with Ray Slattery and Tanner Rutschman of the City of Dodge City about wagon ruts, quiet trains, and eventually a few things going on at the City.  It's always a good time to sit down with our friends from Dodge and visit about the great place Dodge is as well as a number of other things.   

In this episode we have some laughs with Scott Heidner and Travis Lowe, Executive Directors for ACEC-KS and KSPE respectively.  We started with a 2019 legislative update, but the conversation ended talking about cigars and dirty somethings...as usual with these two.  Be sure to subscribe to our show!  

So we took the week of Christmas and the week of New Years off for a little break, but we are back at it this week with a great episode about housing in Manhattan. Guests include Jason Hilgers, Deputy City Manager; Brad Claussen, Assistant Chief of Risk Reduction and Code Services; and City Commissioner Jerred McKee. We talk about a lot of different housing issues in Manhattan, from affordability to programs being contemplated to provide incentives for improving existing homes. This episode is great for anyone interested in housing in Manhattan and the role it plays for our community's success.  Music: www.bensound.com

In this episode we visit with Vince Haines, Principal of Gravity Works Architecture and Mayor of Eldorado, Kansas.  We talk about old lakes, water skiing, oil pipelines, the role of compromise, caves, and yes...even some Mayor things.  Have a listen and get to know Eldorado and the great man they have as their Mayor.  Music: www.bensound.com Please subscribe to our show.

In this episode Jeffrey Hancock visits with Senator Tom Hawk of Kansas's Senate District 22.  Tom and I spend a good deal of time discussing the Transportation Task Force, politics and even tree house projects.  Music: www.bensound.com Be sure to subscribe to our show!

Patrick Schutter and Levi Schneider of BHS Construction visit in a very loud Kites Bar and Grill with Jeffrey Hancock of SMH Consultants. I think we might have hit a beer special night. The discussions range from working in different communities and their associated regulatory departments to building sheds at home with kids. This is a good episode that really gives the listener an inside to the way BHS Construction conducts their business and how employees there are family. Music: www.bensound.com Be sure to subscribe to our show!

Ever wonder what it is like to manage multiple building and outdoor facilities across a large school district?  John Geist, Director of Plant Facilities for USD 457 in Garden City tackles this wonder daily.  From new HVAC systems to dealing with vandalism from rival schools, John has done a little of it all.  Kurth Lancaster of SMH talks with John about his experiences, time in Garden City and a tangent discussion of John's love of hunting.  Music: www.bensound.com Be sure to subscribe to our show!

In this episode Kurth Lancaster and Jeffrey Hancock visit with Hayes Kelman of Boot Hill Distillery. From the field to the glass, listen to Hayes describe how he is taking farming to whole new level by self sourcing ingredients for the best distilled spirits you'll ever have. Beyond whiskey we talk old time Dodge City, the fight for water, oil, high taxes and living the dream. Music: www.bensound.com Be sure to subscribe to our show!

In this episode we ponder Downtown Manhattan and Aggieville.  Change is in the air and has been in the air.  This is an insightful conversation about making things happen downtown and shaking things up in Aggieville.  Jason Hilgers and Ben Chmiel of the City of Manhattan join Tracy Anderson of Anderson Knight Architects, Gina Scroggs of Downtown Manhattan Inc. and myself as we talk about everything concerning creating vibrant commercial centers.  Music: www.bensound.com Be sure to subscribe to our show! 

In this episode of Out of Scope Kurth Lancaster visits with Matt Bennett and Chris Floyd of First National Bank of Syracuse.  Some of the topics covered include halloween costume contests, bankers as developers, banking in rural Kansas, banking innovations, bank robberies, the impact of hunting on local economies and kids sports.  Music: www.bensound.com Be sure to subscribe to our show!

Tribune, Kansas - Kurth Lancaster and Paul Lewis of SMH Consultants visit with Christy Hopkins of Greeley County. Christy is the Director of Greeley County Community Development. This is an episode whose epicenter is surrounded by "rural". Funny mascots, prevailing winds, the unpredictable livelihood of farming, trips to Vegas, unified government, and dairies in western Kansas are all some of the topics discussed in this episode. Christy's drive for success in and for Greeley County is shadowed only by her love of the area and the community she lives in.  Music: www.bensound.com Be sure to subscribe to our show! 

Kurth Lancaster and Paul Lewis of SMH Consultants visit with Melissa McCoy of the City of Dodge City. Melissa is the City's Assistant to the City Manager and Project Development Coordinator.  Originating in Copeland, Kansas Melissa has spent time living and working in Albuquerque, Mexico City, and now Dodge City. She shares some of her unique people skills and experiences gathered along the way; and the variety of different things she gets involved with in Dodge City. Such a great person with her heart focused on her community. Everyone will enjoy this episode. Music: www.bensound.com. Be sure to subscribe to our show!  

Jeffrey Hancock and Brett Louk of SMH Consultants ponder county road and bridge business with Justin Mader of McPherson County and Alvin Perez of Riley County.  County mowers, sitting in flood ravaged restaurants, troublesome farmers and ranchers, snarky remarks to constituents, and tractors falling into creeks are all discussed in this interesting and fun episode.  Music: www.bensound.com   Be sure to subscribe to our show!

Jeffrey Hancock, City Commissioner Usha Reddi, Dennis Hadley of Bank of the Flint Hills, and Brad Hartenstein of the Flint Hills Area Builders Association have a good conversation about housing and benefit districts.   One of the more serious subjects discussed on the Out of Scope Podcast; this was an interesting take from different perspectives on the use of benefit districts and housing. In particular how the benefit district tool impacts builders/developers, the risks and benefit to the community as a whole, and long term thinking about what makes and what will make us and others want to live in Manhattan moving forward.   Music: www.bensound.com

Kurth Lancaster and Jeffrey Hancock have a great conversation with a man of many words, Jay Dill.  Jay is the City Manager of Kinsley, Kansas where "water" is a fighting word.  They have it and others want it.  Jay offers his perspectives on the town he grew up in and loves; and some of the sensible and some of the senseless battles that come with being a small town City Manager. Along the way we talk about buried treasure and horses on runways.  Music: www.bensound.com Be sure to subscribe to our show!

Kurth Lancaster visits with JD Gilbert, the Ford County Administrator; and Chris Boys, Ford County County Commissioner to talk about consistency in County government, prairie dogs, being a Mason, making money out of wind, 911, diagnostic leadership styles in county government, getting hired with a glorious beard, and the greatness of working with people.  Music: www.bensound.com Be sure to subscribe to our show!

The working women. This episode features Heather Peterson of Architect One and Jennifer Hancock (my awesome wife) of SMH Consultants. It was time to get a woman's perspective on working in the professional world of architecture and engineering. To no surprise we find out they pull way more than their weight in creating successful companies and successful homes. Take a listen and hear for yourself the greatness that these women are!   Music: www.bensound.com Be sure to subscribe to our show!  

This episode is an eye opening conversation with Jared Tremblay and Stephanie Peterson of the Flint Hills Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Tracy Anderson of Anderson Knight Architects about creating a paradigm shift in the quality of place in which we live our lives.  From landscaping and transit to natural areas and bicycles; we touch on a little of it all.  Music: www.bensound.com Be sure to subscribe to our show!

In this episode I sit down with Tim Vandall, the City Administrator of the City of Lansing, and Ben Gasper of SMH.  Topics discussed include working in towns with prisons, municipal swimming pools, airports, working with large City Councils, large office spaces,  and skateboarding. Music: www.bensound.com Be sure to subscribe to our show!

This is a hilarious episode where Jeffrey Hancock sits down with Manhattan's finest...Chad Bunger, Ryan Courtright, and Ryan Almes.  Topics discussed include attics for rent, the usefulness of sidewalks in a community, skirting regulations, and the sincere realness of the great people serving the City of Manhattan.  This episode will put a little humor in your life and thoughtfulness into how we grow a community.  Music: www.bensound.com Be sure to subscribe to our show!

Take a listen to these two characters.  In this episode Jeffrey Hancock visits with Lance White and Matt Bulk of Bank of the Flint Hills.  We cover black helicopters, bank robberies, and fireworks...oh yeah and banking.  Lance and Matt provide us the very interesting history of Bank of the Flint Hills and what it means to be a community bank.  We've all heard "putting your money where you mouth is", these guys do it everyday.  Music: www.bensound.com Be sure to subscribe and "like" our show. 

In this episode Jeffrey Hancock visits with Stephan Metzger, Pottawatomie County Planning and Zoning.  Topics discussed include sidewalk mobility, efficient development and a discombobulated rant by Jeff regarding man's evolution from what we really need to what we have.  Stephan get's things straightened out to make this podcast as interesting and fun as any.  Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Pottawatomie County.  Music: www.bensound.com Be sure to subscribe to our show!

In this episode Kurth Lancaster and Paul Lewis visit with Dan Fankhauser.  He's an architect, City Commissioner, whiskey barrel capitalist and well...basically Superman of anything business related.  Topics discussed include misunderstanding the savings in metal buildings, Dan's days at KSU, how to make money with whiskey barrels and then wine barrels, the lumber yard business, and the hub of opportunity that makes Garden City the seed for business growth.

In this episode Jeffrey Hancock of SMH sits down with Lyle Butler and Trent Armbrust of the Manhattan, Kansas Chamber of Commerce to discuss a variety of topics.   Reflecting on things accomplished and work left to do; both Lyle and Trent discuss what Manhattan was, what it is and what the region can be.   It took a while to move these fellas from a chamber only focus; but we also  talked a little about the official home of basketball, ties, and smoking on airplanes.

In this episode Kurth Lancaster and Jeffrey Hancock of SMH visit with Representative Brad Ralph of Kansas's 119th Congressional District representing Dodge City.  One of the most down to earth and practical people you'll ever meet; Brad gives us a tour of his life from being a young attorney just starting out to being a part of creating the law he practices.  Topics discussed include professional fees, unnecessary cliches that don't carry any weight, hazing in the legislature, and even baseball...as both a scholarship player and fan.

In this episode Jeffrey Hancock and Kurth Lancaster of SMH have a short visit with Congressman Dr. Roger Marshall of Kansas's Big 1st District.  The episode starts with a short history of how Dr. Marshall made his way from Eldorado, where he was raised, to his seat in the United States Congress; and then briefly touches on a number of issues that impact the people of Kansas.  Music: www.bensound.com  Be sure to subscribe to our show!

In this episode I sit down with my good friend Travis Aggson and Ravi Sachdeva of American Pest Management in Manhattan, Kansas.  What an episode.  This episode begins in India and ends with how the engineering world impacts the business world.  Along the way we talk through some interesting stories from the world of pest management as well as a variety of other topics I never would have imagined being a part of.  The American Dream is alive.  If you don’t think so just ask these guys.  Music: www.bensound.com Be sure to subscribe to our show!

In this episode Kurth Lancaster and Arrin Tieben visit with Josh Schmidt of the Victory Electric Cooperative.  Topics discussed are far and wide.  Who would have thought that killer wiener dogs, being a Mayor, Hurricane Katrina, royal weddings, and baseball catching techniques could be covered in one episode.  Music: www.bensound.com

In this episode Jeffrey Hancock and Kurth Lancaster sit down with Scott Heidner (ACEC KS Executive Director) and Travis Lowe (KSPE Executive Director) of Gaches Braden and Associates.  Topics discussed include the calling of Nashville, Elk as livestock, turf and turf for the American Hero, imported cigars, what's a lobbyist, and the greatness of working with engineers.  Music: www.bensound.com

Garden City, KS - In this episode Kurth Lancaster and Jeffrey Hancock of SMH sit down and visit with Trent Nevola of American Warrior Construction.  Topics discussed include working in different climates across Kansas, the correlation between American Warrior construction projects and freak rain events, $50 bushel corn, kayak fishing and the expense of drawing hunting tags.  Music www.bensound.com Be sure to subscribe to our show!

In this episode of Out of Scope we visit with Tracy Anderson, Dan Knight, and Aaron Apel of Anderson Knight Architects in Manhattan, Kansas.  Topics discussed include favorite cereals, building code interpretation, favorite client types, the personalities associated with beards, and the collection of magazines in the Anderson Knight office bathroom.  Music: www.bensound.com  Be sure to subscribe to our show!

In this episode Jeffrey Hancock and Kurth Lancaster of SMH visit with Tanner Rutschman, the City Engineer at the City of Dodge City.  Topics discussed include turd powered vehicles in Europe, the wind of Dodge City, the origins of the Rutschman name, east vs. west engineering philosophies, farm ingenuity, and burning blood.  Music: www.bensound.com  Be sure to subscribe to our show!