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 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.
Mark Morris, graduate of Georgia College’s J. Whitney Bunting College of Business’ WebMBA program
As our sponsor, Georgia College connects us with business school graduates who have interesting back stories. One of the most unique stories belongs to Morris. He’s spent nearly 30 years in the military, and he currently serves in the Army National Guard as an aviation safety manager for the state and a helicopter instructor pilot. He was actually deployed in Afghanistan when he decided to enroll in Georgia College’s WebMBA program. A true testament that it’s never too late to get your master’s degree, Mark was in his early 50s when he enrolled. And today he uses his knowledge on the job with the U.S. Army. He talks with producer Jon Waterhouse about these topics and a whole lot more.
Tom Garrett, CEO & Founder of GPS Hospitality
This week guest host Jon Waterhouse talks quick service restaurant franchising with Tom Garrett, CEO & Founder of GPS Hospitality. A Burger King and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchisee, GPS Hospitality operates more than 400 restaurants and is set to surpass its goal of $1 billion in revenue in its first 10 years.
Derrick Johnson, president of UPS South Atlantic District
Those brown delivery trucks are unmistakable. United Parcel Service, aka UPS, seems to be everywhere. But there’s much more to the iconic company. The UPS headquarters is right here in Atlanta, Georgia. And this week we’ll be talking to Derrick Johnson, president of UPS South Atlantic District, who gives guest host Jon Waterhouse a behind-the-scenes look at UPS and its future.
Alan Johnson and Dale Doss, graduates of Georgia College’s J. Whitney Bunting College of Business’ online program
So you really want that masters degree in business, but you think it might be too late. It’s never too late to go back to school, and this week’s guests are living proof. Both Johnson and Doss decided to go after a masters degree in their mid-to-late 50s. Despite some trepidation, they not only graduated, but both rocked 4.0 grade point averages. They join guest host Jon Waterhouse and talk about what it was like jumping head first into Georgia College’s Master of Logistics and Supply Chain Management online program and how it’s enhancing their careers.
Stephen Rosenbaum, CEO of Alliance Spine and Pain Centers
This week’s guest brings an interesting perspective on the healthcare business, physician-owned healthcare, the current opioid crisis, and much more. As CEO of Alliance Spine and Pain Centers, Rosenbaum presides over the largest interventional pain management company in the Southeast. He talks with producer Jon Waterhouse about the burgeoning interventional pain management field, how Alliance fills a need amidst the opioid crisis, his company’s business model, and other topics.
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.
Delaine Ross, The Phoenix
To coincide with new year’s resolutions, fitness professional and entrepreneur, Delaine Ross pays a visit. This award-winning fitness competitor holds advanced Russian Kettlebell Certification, and not only teaches other instructors, but stars in her own video series, “Train With Delaine.” A former gym owner and operator, Delaine now works for The Phoenix, a free sober active community to individuals who have suffered from a substance use disorder and to those who choose a sober life. Delaine is national program manager for volunteer led programming for The Phoenix. She talks with producer Jon Waterhouse about the business of fitness, running her own gym, and how to make new year’s resolutions stick.
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.
Chef Kevin Gillespie
Atlanta and the surrounding areas are big time foodie destinations, and Chef Gillespie plays quite the part. The author and former “Top Chef” contestant is founder of Red Beard Restaurants, which oversees his own restaurant concepts, and offers consulting services to other start-ups. His current crop of acclaimed restaurants include Gunshow, Revival, and Kevin Gillespie’s Gamechanger. The latter can be found in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Gillespie’s most recent offerings are Ole Reliable in the Georgia Pacific Building and Cold Beer located on the Atlanta BeltLine. He talks with Richard Lenz and Jon Waterhouse about his rise in the food biz, its challenges and more.
John Schuerholz, former Atlanta Braves GM and president
On Saturday, December 14, Lenz on Business is joined by John Schuerholz, former Atlanta Braves GM and president.
Yeah, we know football remains on the brain for many. But the business of major league baseball has no off season. And no one knows MLB biz quite like John Schuerholz. Ever the baseball fanatic, Richard talks it up with Schuerholz, who’s best known as general manager of the Atlanta Braves from 1990 to 2007 before serving as Braves President until 2016. Among the teams he built were the 1985 Royals and 1995 Braves, both World Series champions. Schuerholz was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 2017. He also co-authored the book “Built to Win: Inside Stories and Leadership Strategies from Baseball’s Winningest GM.”
Tune into Lenz on Business every Saturday at 6 PM on 95.5 WSB.
Lynn Hanson, Director of Graduate Programs in Business for Georgia College’s J. Whitney Bunting College of Business
A veteran of graduate education for more than 25 years, Hanson currently oversees the online graduate business programs at Georgia College. This includes MBA, Master of Logistics and Master of Management Information Systems. She joins guest host Jon Waterhouse to talk about the evolution of graduate education, how online studies have been transformative for Georgia College, student success stories, and more.
Dan Carroll, Director of Media Engagement, Dragon Con
Dan Carroll knows Dragon Con. Is it a coincidence he shares the same initials as the ultra successful pop culture convention that takes over downtown Atlanta for five days each Labor Day Weekend? Approximately 85,000 guests are expected to attend the 2019 installment. Not only does the convention do bang-up business, it brings bang-up business to Atlanta. From hotels to transportation to the restaurant industry. Dan talks with guest host Jon Waterhouse about Dragon Con’s economic impact on the city and much more.
Dr. Karl Manrodt, Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Georgia College’s J. Whitney Bunting College of Business
As consumers in today’s world, we want our products yesterday. We often forget it takes logistics to store and deliver goods and services for the public. And there’s so much more to it than that. Dr. Manrodt, an expert in the field, sheds light on this specialty and what the future holds for logistics as we trek further into the 21st century.
Alan Stukalsky, Chief Digital Officer, Randstad North America
Randstad North America, headquartered in Atlanta, is part of the world’s largest provider of human relations services and staffing. Technology plays a big role in Randstad’s internal and external functions, and Stukalsky oversees all things digital. Stukalsky steps behind the microphone with guest host Jon Waterhouse to chat about digital communication, how artificial intelligence comes into play, and more.
Dawna Miller, Founder, Arena Leadership Coaching and Dylan Miller, University of Georgia student in Master of Fine Arts in Film, Television and Digital Media program
This week’s show is taking a look at two different perspectives on business from two generations of the same family. Dawna Miller, an accomplished C-Suite executive and the visionary behind Arena Leadership Coaching, an innovative business dedicated to empowering emerging executives. Through online courses and e-books, Arena Leadership Coaching equips young professionals with the skills they need to excel as visionary leaders.
We also hear from her son, Dylan Miller, a student in UGA’s Master of Fine Arts in Film, Television and Digital Media program. He’s currently working on his thesis project, entitled Pyre, a short film he’s writing and directing. Dylan is facing leadership and business challenges, from helming the production to crowdfunding. And he shares his experience and how he’s benefiting with some of the knowledge he’s receiving from Arena Leadership Coaching.