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.”
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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.
Don Byrd, Chief Operating Officer; Nicole Moore, manager of Education and Museum Content, National Center for Civil and Human Rights
When it comes to the Civil Rights movement, the city of Atlanta is rich with history, many landmarks still standing today. In 2014, a contemporary landmark, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, opened its doors in the heart of downtown Atlanta, becoming what the New York Times once called one of the biggest reasons to visit the city. Byrd and Moore join guest host Jon Waterhouse to talk about the Center, how local businesses played a role in the Civil Rights movement, and much more.
Special time and date: 2 p.m. February 17, 2019.
Stephen Moore, President of RCS Productions
Spring is around the corner, and that means festival season will be kicking off soon. This week’s guest knows all about the business of producing concerts for these and other events. Stephen Moore, president of RCS Productions, talks with guest host Jon Waterhouse about the business of talent buying, and concert and event production. What does it take to produce a concert in a cave more than 300 feet underground? Moore shares these and other stories.
Allan Vella, president and CEO of the Fox Theatre
Our special guest this week has the unique job of running and overseeing a timeless, unmistakable Atlanta icon, which happens to be one of the top venues of its kind in the country and the world. Vella gives guest host Jon Waterhouse a literal peek behind the curtain at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, and what it takes to operate this unmistakeable institution.
Dr. Joseph Ducksworth, graduate of the WebMBA program at Georgia College
How do you juggle your own medical practice while attempting to further your business career by getting an MBA? Dr. Joseph Ducksworth, an acclaimed oral surgeon, did just that. This week he talks with guest host Jon Waterhouse about why it’s important for physicians who run their own practice to have an MBA, the pros and cons of getting an online MBA, and much more.
Michael Tavani, founder of Switchyards Downtown Club
Tavani, a serial entrepreneur, created Switchyards Downtown Club, a design-focused startup hub, specializing in producing consumer-focused startups in Atlanta. Tavani joins guest host Jon Waterhouse to talk about the genesis of Switchyards, the Atlanta startup scene, and much more.
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. Note: This week’s episode airs at a special time, 1 p.m. Jan. 12 on News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB in Atlanta, and at wsbradio.com.
Maxwell Bentley, founder and executive producer of Bentley Media
Corporate/client-based video production has its own niche within Georgia’s current film and TV boom. Bentley talks about its place among the state’s media production landscape. And he discusses topics including the importance of corporate video and how to choose the right video production company for your business.
Alan Rae, General Manager of Hotel Clermont
Atlanta’s new Hotel Clermont may be one of the most impressive examples of branding and revitalization among the city’s hospitality landscape. Alan Rae, the hotel’s general manager, gives guest host Jon Waterhouse a behind-the-scenes look at the project. And financial pro Chris Burns of Dynamic Money drops by for Ask an Expert.
Dawna Miller, Founder, Arena Leadership Coaching
Arena Leadership Coaching specializes in elevating emerging executives into visionary leaders who live their values, optimize performance, and foster positive, engaging organizational cultures. They offer practical, actionable solutions and a strength-based approach to help unlock leaders’ potential to create sustainable value and growth. Their courses and e-books are available at ArenaLeadershipCoaching.com. Miller discusses what led her to start a leadership coaching business, the difference between leadership and management, the current leadership deficit, course highlights, and more.