ryanaaron leiker

Aaron is what you would call a small-town farm boy. His hometown of Holly, Colorado has about 1,000 people living there translating into 24 people in his high school graduating class.  He came to Manhattan in August 2001 to attend Kansas State University, where he got his bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications.  He has completed his coursework for his Master’s degree in Mass Communications as well, but procrastination is getting the best of him on completing his thesis.

Aaron’s interest in broadcasting started early. His dream at 8 years old was to host Good Morning America someday, but college revealed what he looked like on television and gave up on that idea.  He began work in radio in 1998 at KVAY in Lamar, Colorado.  While in college, he was involved with KSDB, K-State college radio station. In graduate school, Aaron was also designated as the faculty adviser and station manager for KSDB. In 2004, he was recruited by Cathy Dawes to work at KMAN. He started in the news department as a reporter.  In October 2005, he was promoted to host the morning show. Aaron took over as program director and overseeing KMAN’s operations in July of 2007.

His parents, Will and Laurie, operate a large wheat operation in Holly.   If you wonder what attracted Aaron to K-State, his father has his bachelor’s and two master’s degrees from K-State, so Aaron was raised a Wildcat.  His brother, Mark, is a graduate of Colorado State University and is back home taking over the farm operation.  Morgan, his sister, recently graduated from Kansas State and works at a Manhattan business.  Aaron is 26 years old and single.

Nicknames: Rado (Short for Colorado) and Leak (Something from High School)

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Favorite Food: Good Mexican and Chicken Fried Steak

Favorite TV Shows: 24, Brothers and Sisters, West Wing

Favorite Sports Team(s): K-State, Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies

What’s In Your iPod/CD Player: A lot of Country Music and 90s Music I grew up with

Three Things You Can’t Live Without: Family, the Wildcats, Mountain Dew (There’s a lot more than those 3)

A Talent Most People Don’t Know About: Combine and Semi Driving – Harvest Time!

Favorite Part of the Day: Nap Time!

Your High School Mascot: Wildcats - GO HHS!