Listen on Sundays at 11 a.m. on 95.5 WSB and wsbradio.com
Each week, host Jon Waterhouse speaks with Atlanta’s business leaders to explore their inspiring stories, lessons learned, and tips for growth and success. From big business execs to indie entrepreneurs, these guests not only share their practical secrets, but also unveil the personalities behind the careers.
“Business touches all our lives and deserves to be explored,” says show founder, Richard J. Lenz. “Lenz on Business taps into the excitement and dynamics of business; the colorful characters who drive these companies, their entrepreneurial adventures, and the innovative ways they thrive and survive in today’s world.”
Upcoming Lenz on Business Show
Recent Lenz on Business Shows
John Lenz, vice president, and Mike Killeen, vice president of marketing Lenz Marketing
What does Richard Lenz do when he’s not hosting the show? He’s founder, president, and CEO of Lenz Marketing, a downtown Decatur-based marketing agency. This unique episode finds Richard in the studio with his two partners, John Lenz and Mike Killeen, discussing topics including family relationships in the workplace, how to balance project diversity, continuing education, and more.
Chris Mitchell, Owner, Mitchell Cooling + Heating
Nearly 30 years ago, equipped with little more than a truck and $10,000, Mitchell started his own heating and air conditioning business. Today he and his team continue serving metro Atlanta and North Georgia, banking on basic business philosophies such as customer service, honesty, and avoiding upselling. Mitchell joins producer Jon Waterhouse for a conversation about what it’s like starting a business from the ground up, when and how to grow, employee retention, and a whole lot more.
Dr. Hal Scherz, managing partner, Georgia Urology
Recently we’ve been talking with business leaders —from restaurateurs to executives— about the effects of COVID-19. This time we speak with Dr. Hal Scherz, a leader among Atlanta’s healthcare landscape, who serves as managing partner for Georgia Urology, the largest urology practice in the Southeast. Dr. Scherz is also an award-winning pediatric urologist, Wall Street Journal contributor, and former president of the American Association of Pediatric Urology. He chats with producer Jon Waterhouse about the challenges of operating a healthcare practice during COVID-19, how Georgia Urology changed its business approach during the pandemic, and the importance of not forgoing significant office visits.
Nicole Moore, Director of Education, The National Center for Civil and Human Rights
This week we welcome a timely return visit from Nicole Moore from the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. As director of education for the Atlanta-based Center, Nicole shares her unique perspective on several topics, including its history, how operations have changed during COVID-19, the Center’s Campaign for Equal Dignity, and how it’s more than a museum. She’ll also inform listeners on ways we can help the National Center for Civil and Human Rights foster change regarding social injustice.
John Schuerholz, former Atlanta Braves GM and President, and Allan Vela, President and CEO of the Fox Theatre, Atlanta
Since many are longing for baseball season, now is the perfect time to revisit Richard’s interview with John Schuerholz, an inductee in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. He also co-authored the book “Built to Win: Inside Stories and Leadership Strategies from Baseball’s Winningest GM.” As a bonus, producer Jon Waterhouse checks in with Allan Vela, president and CEO of the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, discussing the fate of the live entertainment business post COVID-19.
Aaron McPherson, Vice President of Integrated Care Services, Institute on Aging
McPherson, a seasoned healthcare executive, discusses how he went back to school through Georgia College’s WebMBA program, despite being located in Alaska. He shares online graduate school tips and tricks, and how attaining an MBA helps with career advancement.
Randy and Justin Longenbach, Classic Commercial Services
Richard talks to the two generations behind Atlanta-based Classic Commercial Services, a commercial cleaning company in operation for nearly 50 years. They specialize in floor and textile care, emergency water restoration, and more in venues ranging from hotels to corporate offices to hospitals and all points in between. Randy and Justin discuss their new product, Sanitize & Protect. This antimicrobial barrier protects treated surfaces from 99.9 percent of bacteria, mold, and fungi up to one year.
Wylonda Jones, director of post acute admissions, Emory Long-Term Acute Care Hospital, Decatur
When going from a non-business specialty to a leadership position in that field, some additional business savvy wouldn’t hurt, right? Well, this week we’ll be talking to Wylonda Jones, director of post acute admissions at the Emory Long-Term Acute Care Hospital in Decatur. She spent years in the medical field as a clinician and later rose to a leadership position. She was already leading employees, but had a desire to go back to school and get an MBA, more than 20 years after graduation. She talks about juggling a demanding job and navigating her way through Georgia College’s Web MBA program.
Emily Acker, CEO, Hillside, Inc. and Dr. Adam Silberman, Medical Director, Hillside, Inc.
This week we hear from a pair of staffers from one of Atlanta’s oldest nonprofits, dating all the way back to 1888. Hillside, a longstanding leader in the field of youth and family mental health services, helps children and families thrive by providing residential and community mental health services for children and adolescents struggling with emotional and behavioral issues. For many, Hillside’s services are more important now than ever before. Acker and Dr. Silberman talk about dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), youth mental health during the pandemic, and more.
Kyle Puttkammer, Owner of Galactic Quest
Like all retailers, Puttkammer, who owns a pair of acclaimed metro Atlanta-based comic book shops, finds himself facing the daunting challenges of COVID-19. With the publishing world turned on its ear, Puttkammer had to think fast. This longtime comic book professional discusses how he’s been handling and rethinking his business, offers tips to other small business owners, and predicts the lasting effect the pandemic will have on the publishing world.
Jody Yearwood, Senior Vice President & CIO, Executive Director of the Global Online College at Georgia Military College
We have the great opportunity to talk to business executives who decided to go back to school and get their masters degree online, and they each have their own unique story to tell. This week’s guest Jody Yearwood received his Master in management information systems online from Georgia College’s J. Whitney Bunting College of Business. Additionally, he oversees online learning at Georgia Military College. So Yearwood knows both sides of the coin. On this episode, he shares his online graduate experience, his thoughts on online learning in the COVID-19 era, and more with producer Jon Waterhouse.
Federico Castellucci, President and CEO, Castellucci Hospitality Group
As we all know, the business world is facing perhaps the biggest challenge of all time in the form of COVID-19. And no one is feeling it quite like those in the hospitality industry. Tackling this obstacle takes creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance, not to mention a strong business sense. As president and CEO of Castellucci Hospitality Group, Federico Castellucci oversees seven restaurants across metro-Atlanta including Bar Mercado, Double Zero, Sugo, and The Iberian Pig, among others. He shares his unique background, and perspectives and experience operating during the coronavirus era with host Richard Lenz.
Dr. Josh Johnston of Georgia Eye Partners
Like all businesses during the COVID-19 era, healthcare is obviously feeling the impact in a variety of ways. While COVID-19 is at the forefront, other healthcare needs don’t simply go away. According to some medical professionals, depending on a patient’s need, telemedicine can be the answer. Dr. Johnston explains how he helped expand Georgia Eye Partners’ telemedicine offering in the wake of COVID-19. Additionally, he’s currently teaching telemedicine to colleagues both inside and outside of his practice.
Dr. Karl Manrodt, Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Georgia College’s J. Whitney Bunting College of Business, and Jeremiah Griffin, Senior Manager for Process Improvement and Supply Chain for Walmart
As consumers, we live in an on-demand culture. And in the age of COVID-19, businesses are feeling this pressure now more than ever. This means the world of logistics and supply chain just got tougher. Dr. Manrodt, an expert in the field, and Griffin, who sees the subject firsthand through Walmart, share their perspectives on logistics and supply chain amid the current pandemic.
John Loud, President of Loud Security Systems
Like many businesses, the home security industry has transformed in recent years, thanks in large part to advancing technology. This week’s guest has seen this business evolve across the past two decades. John Loud, president of Loud Security Systems, talks with producer Jon Waterhouse about the genesis of his business, his entrepreneurial spirit, the future of the home security business, and more.
Tom Swinson, Director of Industry and Education Services for SMC3
Evolving and growing one’s career and business is a frequent topic on the show, and getting a master’s degree can play a big part of that. Our sponsor, Georgia College’s J. Whitney Bunting College of Business often provides us with special guests who share their stories about getting their masters degree online. And this week’s guest is in the midst of that right now. Tom Swinson talks about earning his Master of Logistics and Supply Chain Management (MLSCM) degree through Georgia College’s online program, how he’s applying what he’s learning at work, and more.
Dr. Hal Scherz, managing partner, Georgia Urology
As managing partner of Georgia Urology, Dr. Scherz has a front row seat in the business of healthcare. He served as president of the American Association of Pediatric Urology, and authored more than 75 peer-reviewed articles and eight book chapters. Additionally, Dr. Scherz is an associate clinical professor of urology at Emory University, and an original member of the board of directors for the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Ambulatory Surgery Center. Dr. Scherz talks about his career and the business of healthcare with Richard Lenz.
Jeff James, Vice President and General Manager, Disney Institute
Producer Jon Waterhouse takes listeners on a special road trip edition of “Lenz on Business” to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Jon chats with Jeff James, Vice President and General Manager of Disney Institute. Disney Institute is the professional development and business advisory arm of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Jeff explains how Disney Institute helps business professionals learn the Disney approach to customer experience by sharing the company’s business insights on leadership, employee engagement and service. And Jeff shares some of the business secrets behind the magic.
Meisa Salaita and Jordan Rose, co-founders and co-executive directors of Atlanta Science Festival
This week, producer Jon Waterhouse takes a deep dive into the Atlanta Science Festival, a two-week celebration of science and technology, with Jordan Rose and Meisa Salaita. Now in its seventh year, the Atlanta Science Festival, presented by Delta Air Lines, takes place March 6-21. The Festival includes more than 100 events happening across Metro Atlanta. The programming spotlights science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. And there’s something for all ages. The grand finale, known as the Exploration Expo, drops March 21 in Piedmont Park with more than 100 hands-on interactive science booths and live entertainment. Rose and Salaita talk about what it takes to create a thriving Festival, how to run a non-profit, the businesses behind the Festival, and more.
Tune into Lenz on Business every Saturday at 6:00 pm on 955.5 WSB.
Herb Chereck, owner of Decatur Package Store
Like all businesses, the libation business is more than just what we see on the surface. Liquor stores are common among the local landscape, but how do they work, thrive, and survive in today’s climate of beer connoisseurs, wine aficionados and the cocktail savvy public? Chereck taps into those questions and more with producer Jon Waterhouse.
Tara Brown, COO, YourTown Health
Community health centers are a cornerstone of America’s healthcare landscape, and Georgia-based YourTown Health holds a special spot among it all. YourTown Health’s network of seven community health centers serve the communities of Meriwether, Pike, Lamar, Carroll, Coweta, and South Fulton counties. The centers are strategically located in areas facing limited access to affordable, quality healthcare. YourTown Health offers comprehensive preventative, curative, and life-enhancing services. This includes everything from primary care to chronic disease management, and much more. On this week’s episode, Brown discusses topics such as the history of community health centers, why they’re important, and how she approaches YourTown Health from a leadership perspective.