The W. Frank Barton School of Business is the home of real and applied learning. A
place where students apply knowledge gained from faculty and business leaders while
developing professional and life skills. The Barton School is among the top 1% of
business schools worldwide due to its double AACSB accreditation in business and accounting.
Housed in the award-winning building, Woolsey Hall, features artwork, sculptures,
gardens, and The Promise Bridge – a 300-foot-long pedestrian bridge over the water
in front of the building.
The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University welcomes Kevin
Turpin to the Dean’s Advisory Board. Turpin is the founder and CEO of weavix, a pioneering
frontline technology company. As a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board, he will work
with other leaders from around the world to advance the mission and strategic priorities
of the Barton School through strengthening, enriching and enhancing the student experience.
"Kevin is a visionary entrepreneur who built his success on his ability to identify
opportunities and drive innovation," said Dr. Larisa Genin, Dean of the Barton School.
"As a member of our Dean’s Advisory Board, I am excited for him to bring that same
forward-thinking approach and expertise to help the Barton School reach new heights
of excellence.”
Turpin's entrepreneurial journey began at 16 years old during a relentless storm,
when he modified a pressure washer with heat to accelerate recovery efforts. He later
revolutionized fireproofing by introducing intumescent coating technology, replacing
traditional methods and positioning himself as a global authority in industrial fireproofing.
With his brothers, Turpin grew PK Companies into a multinational industrial specialty
services provider operating across 50 states and five countries, pioneering safety
services, inspection software and industrial coatings.
In 2019, Turpin and his brothers invested $20 million to launch weavix, bringing real-time
frontline data and insights to improve operations. His vision attracted major investors,
securing $10M Series A funding in 2022 from Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT) and
a $23.6M Series B round in 2024 from Insight Partners, totaling $52M raised. The company
is proud to count companies such as Campbells, Milwaukee Tools, Hyundai, Panasonic,
Tesla, Kraft Heinz, Haines and so many more as adopters of the technology. Since its
inception, weavix has received multiple accolades including the Kansas Tech 2024 Startup
of the Year, Wichita Business Journal’s 2025 Innovation Award and Will Reed’s Top
100, which recognizes Series A and B companies that excel in innovation and company
culture.
“As a proud Kansas native, I see it as my responsibility to champion the communities
and industries I am a part of,” said Turpin. “Joining the Barton School Dean’s Advisory
Board is a thrilling opportunity to do just that—impact my community while helping
prepare Barton School students to become bold, innovative, and entrepreneurial leaders
in the global economy.”
