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.
Georgiana Simmons, Avanos Medical, graduate of Georgia College’s online Master of Logistics and Supply Chain Management program
When it comes to going back to school and getting that business-related masters degree, fear can be a deterrent. Finding time amidst a busy life can be a daunting proposition. And this week’s guest did it despite being a single mother and working two jobs at the time. Georgiana Simmons, a project manager in supply chain operations at Avanos Medical, explains how she did it and the ways she applies her degree in her career.
Sarah Rose Harrill, graduate of the WebMBA program at Georgia College
This week’s special guest saw value in getting an MBA and decided go back to school in the midst of her career. However, as we all know, life happens. While juggling a job and Georgia College’s WebMBA program, Sarah learned her husband was diagnosed with cancer. Despite the challenges, she made it work. Sarah Rose shares her personal and WebMBA experiences with guest host Jon Waterhouse.
Charles Driebe, founder of Blind Ambition Management, Ltd.
Music artist management continues to be a multi-faceted business. And with today’s ever-evolving technological landscape, it changes by the day, literally. Richard Lenz talks with Driebe, whose company specializes in artist and project management. Blind Ambition Management currently works with an array of performers including the five-time Grammy-winning and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award-winning Blind Boys of Alabama; Marc Cohn of Grammy-winning “Walking in Memphis” fame; folk outfit Over the Rhine; and Grammy-winning soul legend William Bell, among others.
Andy Hingley, co-owner of Eddie’s Attic and talent booker at Live Nation
Hingley, a professional European soccer player, spends nearly a decade of his life in the sport before deciding to hang up his cleats and relocate to Atlanta. He accidentally finds himself becoming the student of iconic local live music promoter, Alex Cooley. The two forge a serious professional and personal bond. And when Cooley passes away, Hingley carries the torch scoring goals in the live entertainment business as co-owner of Eddie’s Attic and booking concerts for Live Nation. This week Andy Hingley shares his story and more with guest host Jon Waterhouse.
Hannah Zander, graduate of the online MMIS program at Georgia College
We hear it all the time. After snagging an undergraduate degree, many business professionals opt to go after a Masters Degree in the not-so-distant future. But why? What are the reasons behind it, and what kind of concessions will need to be made in the midst of adulting? And what about online learning? Zander, a recent Georgia College online grad, joins guest host Jon Waterhouse and answers these questions and a whole lot more.
Eileen Lee and Martine Resnick, co-founders of The Lola
Women continue making great strides in the business world. According to the National Association of Women Business Owners, women-owned firms make up 39 percent of all privately held firms in the U.S. This week guest host Jon Waterhouse talks to a pair of business owners whose corporate mission is to create a community to support and empower professional women. Martine Resnick and Eileen Lee are co-founders of The Lola, a new members club, workspace and community designed for women by women. The Lola is the first of its kind in Atlanta, and Lee and Resnick share their inspiration behind the concept.
Chris Staros, editor-in-chief of Top Shelf Productions
This week guest host Jon Waterhouse discusses the business of graphic novels with Chris Staros, editor-in-chief of Top Shelf Productions, one of the world’s leading independent publishers of literary graphic novels. Since its inception in 1997, Top Shelf has published more than 350 graphic novels, including the New York Times best selling “March” trilogy. Staros explains how he broke into the industry, how money is made, his keys to success, and much more.
Jared Powell, Center for Disease Control, graduate of the online MMIS program at Georgia College
What happens when you’re in the midst of earning your masters degree in business and the on-campus program changes into an online program? This happened to Georgia College graduate Jared Powell. Powell, who earned his Master of Management Information Systems degree, talks to guest host Jon Waterhouse about the differences between on-campus and online learning, how online studies enhanced his communication skills, and how his degree prepared him for his current work in the office of the Chief Information Security Officer at the Center for Disease Control.
Bill Crane, founder and Principal of CSI Crane
This week host Richard Lenz welcomes Crane, who’s worked as a senior communications strategist for the better part of 25 years. He’s served in senior communications staff positions under Georgia’s Gold Dome as well as on Capitol Hill, working for two U.S. Senators and one Governor, in both major political parties. Bill is one of the Southeast’s most visible political analysts and commentators. You might have seen him on 11Alive, WSB TV, Georgia Public Television, CNN International, and Al Jazeera English. He spent many years as a Senior VP for a global public relations firm. In 2009, he opened his own firm, CSI Crane, right here in Atlanta.
Russell Seifert, founder and CEO; and Rob Blatecky, vice president and CRO of Creative Solar USA
Some big solar industry players have been heating up the stock market, and some experts say solar installations will continue growing throughout 2019. So what is the solar energy industry all about? Seifert and Blatecky, a pair of solar energy experts from Creative Solar USA, talk with Richard Lenz about the current state of solar, its cross-party appeal, their approach to business, and more.
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.
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.
Amplify Decatur Music Festival
According to 2018 statistics, Atlanta lays claim to a homeless population of more than 3,000. But there’s an Atlanta-based non-profit that wants to see those numbers dwindle, and they’re using the power of music to make it happen. This week guest host Jon Waterhouse talks to the folks behind the Amplify Decatur Music Festival, the signature event for Amplify My Community, a nonprofit that produces music events to assist other nonprofits in alleviating homelessness and poverty on the local level. Joining Jon in the studio are Drew Robinson, board president of Amplify My Community; Christine Mahin, festival director; Thomas Thompson and Cliff Richards of festival beneficiary Decatur Cooperative Ministry; and The Bitteroots, a local band performing at this year’s festival.
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.
Shirlynn Brownell, Director of Economic Development for City of Brookhaven
The City of Atlanta may get most of the glory for its business cred, but many smaller metro Atlanta cities hold their own. One such part of town is City of Brookhaven, which continues bolstering a viable economy, building community, and attracting big business. As Director of Economic Development, Brownell works to increase Brookhaven’s visibility in the corporate, small business, retail, development, and real estate worlds as an ideal location to do business. She joins host Jon Waterhouse to talk about Brookhaven’s growth, how and why it attracts businesses, and what the future holds.
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.
Meisa Salaita and Jordan Rose, co-founders and co-executive directors of Atlanta Science Festival
This week guest host Jon Waterhouse puts the business behind the Atlanta Science Festival under the microscope by talking with Meisa Salaita and Jordan Rose, the event’s co-founders and co-executive directors. The pair talk about the Festival’s relationship with Delta Air Lines, Atlanta’s science-related businesses and professionals who are participating, and the Festival itself, taking place March 9-23, which features more than 100 events throughout Metro Atlanta.
Catherine Hernandez-Blades, Senior Vice President and Chief ESG and Communications Officer at Aflac
A true superstar in the world of marketing, branding, and communications, Hernandez-Blades chats with guest host Jon Waterhouse about her journey to Aflac, how she helped redefine Aflac’s communications, and how she became passionately involved with the company’s childhood cancer philanthropy. The latter includes the My Special Aflac Duck project, a social robot duck used by childhood cancer patients for comfort and communication.
Pat Warner, director of public relations and external affairs for Waffle House
This week guest host Jon Waterhouse figuratively steps behind the counter of Waffle House, the iconic restaurant chain. Warner, a 20-year veteran of the company, scatters, smothers, and covers a variety of topics, including its signature management style, unmistakable branding, and FEMA’s Waffle House Index. Warner’s personal Waffle House experience has included weddings, funerals, major motion pictures, Super Bowls and Shaq.
Will Bostelman, president and CEO, The SwingSet Co.
We love business stories with colorful backgrounds filled with unconventional pathways and fascinating lessons, and this week’s guest has plenty of that. Based in Atlanta, The Swingset Co.’s mission is to create safe and long-lasting play sets for kids.They manufacture all the parts customers need in their state-of-the-art facility. They also pre-assemble all the complicated parts so all customers have to do is screw them together. They then ship their swing sets all across the country. Will discusses his unusual pathway to purchasing the business, navigating the process of being a first-time business owner, the challenges of packing and shipping large retail items, the importance of clear customer communications, and more.