The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" Vol. 2026 #34 5-27-26

Posted May 27, 2026

VOLUME 2026   MAY 27   NUMBER 34

President Kelly Karl welcomed the membership and guests, then presented a reflection. The flag salute followed.

PROGRAM:

Mike Fincham introduced Alan VanNahmen who is a high plains wheat farm native of Spearville, Kansas and a graduate of Kansas State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. His professional career began with John Deer Harvester Works (Moline), Deere in Kansas City branch, and JD Horicon, WI. Responsibilities included Quality Engineering, Marketing, Sales, Service, Product Development and R & D. Alan then worked for Caterpillar Ag Products division and German based Claas OHG including harvest research in the US, Canada, Europe, Russia, China, and Australia. His involvement with new business launches includes his own Farm Buddy Co. (1992-present), Agra-Technology LP, XBR2 Bi-Rotor®, combine (1992-95), LandLogo® LLC 92003-present), MachineryLink Inc. (2003-2004), Claas Caterpillar Omaha LP (1996-2002), Tructor® Vehicles LLC CEO (2003-2006), Glenvar Bale Direct® Pty. Ltd. 2003-present), Kopper Kutter LLC ARRO® head development 2015-Present.

Alan VanNahmen, auctioneer associated with Purple Wave Auction as well as Ag equipment quality engineering, marketing, sales, service, product development R & D.
Alan earned his Reppert Auctioneer diploma in 2008 and was valedictorian of class #213. His continuing professional development included attending Certified Auctioneers Institute 1 in 2009. Alan promoted Purple Wave Auction at farm shows and government expos, and supported Purple Wave Internet Auction development for Ag machinery and construction equipment.

Favorite hobbies include scale model combine collecting, fundraiser/benefit auctions, custom harvesting and unicycle riding. He is a supporter of Kansas State University ABE and KSU Catbackers Club.

Alan grewup in the Spearville, Kansas area on a family farm with seven siblings. They had cows, bulls, horses, pigs, chickens, cats, dogs and rabbits. Auctions were a Saturday social event and were held on a regular basis and were their source of Ag equipment and toys. Sundays were for church, chicken dinner, and catching up with cousins.

Alan has extensive experience in agriculture equipment business, but he is also associated with Purple Wave Auction. In 1994 Aaron McKee tracked down needed parts on “eBay.com” and thus the seed was planted for an internet auction company. In 2000, Aaron McKee started the Purple Wave Hot Tub Party Bus Business to rent a mobile hot tub to KSU student organizations and this evolved into Purple Wave Auction (PWA). By 2008 PWA expanded to four sites in the city of Manhattan. PWA does about 10-12 auctions per month, held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. They sell government surplus equipment, agriculture equipment (tractors, combines, forage harvesters, sprayers, planters etc.), truck and trailer equipment (over the road semis, trailers, etc.), construction equipment (dozers, graders, front end loaders, backhoes, elevating scrapers etc.), vehicles and equipment (cars, pickups, trucks, vans etc.).

Purple Wave Auction also has other services. Purple Wave Shipping has over 1,300 licensed and insured drivers from 1,100 companies to move equipment to new owners. They also have Purple Wave Appraisal Evaluations which is USPAP certified for customers and bankers to access.

Purple Wave Auction Principles include:
  • Straight, simple, sold
  • PWA representatives take digital photos, create on-line listing, and collect buyer payments
  • All auction items sell absolute, “where is” and “as is”
  • A 10% buyers premium is added to all items
  • Sellers name and/or email are provided with the listing so buyers can ask specific questions
  • Buyer is responsible for pre-assessment and evaluation of each item before bidding is held
  • Auction settlements occur within about 30 days after auction closing.

Alan thanked the Optimist for having him speak.

CLUB STUFF/ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS:

Bill Snyder Half Marathon was Saturday, May 23rd. The Optimist earned $500 for their volunteers helping to direct runners.

Mike Fincham announced volunteers were needed to to hand out water and soda donated by Pepsi at the Juneteenth celebration June 19th.

President Karl has signed the Optimist up for the lottery for parking cars for a KSU football game at the Dennison fire station.

June 1st through 6th, is the Optimist Instrument Recovery Drive.

Thad Hall presented Craig Cox, Mike Fincham, Steve Havenstein, and Bill Wisdom with pins for their Dime-a-Day program participation.
Thad Hall presented Craig Cox, Mike Fincham, Steve Havenstein, and Bill Wisdom with pins for their Dime-a-Day program participation.

Tyler and Becca Traxton were recognized for their efforts for marketing the Instrument Drive and the Grow Green fundraising.
Tyler and Becca Traxton were recognized for their efforts for marketing the Instrument Drive and the Grow Green fundraising, generating $15,000 in donations and $7,500 in matching funds for at total of $22,500. They were presented with a gift certificate for $100 to honor their accomplishment.

Meeting adjourned with the Optimist Creed.

SAVE THE DATE: October 24th is our 24th annual Chili Crawl.

NEXT WEEKS’S MEETING:

JUNE 3- MORNING MEETING: Program: Jared Tremblay, Planning Manager, Flint Hills MPO: Topic: “2nd River Bridge Study”

JUNE MEETINGS

JUNE 10 – NOON MEETING: Program: Flag Day at Optimist Park – Catered Lunch on Clyde! Topic: “Flag Day Celebration”

JUNE 17 – MORNING MEETING: Program: Blaine Burris, K-State Baseball Athletic Trainer: Topic: “K-State Baseball”

JUNE 24 – NOON MEETING: Program: Respect for the Law