Conquering Columbus Podcast

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, The Wasserstrom Company is the world’s leading restaurant supplier and distributor of foodservice supplies and equipment. Since 1902, Wasserstrom has provided foodservice operators with high quality products, like kitchen supplies and catering supplies, from the industry’s leading manufacturers. Brad graduated from Arizona State University with a degree...

Todd Penegor is the CEO of Wendy’s. Todd joined the Wendy’s team in 2013 as SVP and Chief Financial Officer in 2013, and was appointed CEO in May of 2016. Prior to his employment with Wendy’s, Todd worked at Kellogg Company (a global leader in food products) from 2000 to 2013. Todd held several key …

Philip Payne is the Principal and Founder over at Apportis, a technology company here in Columbus focused on disrupting the healthcare industry; their goal is to provide real time guidance on diet, exercise, medication, and more, from your phone, laptop, or tablet when you need it. Philip held senior level marketing roles in several major …

David Specht joined The Waterworks in October 1998; From 1998 to 2001, he served as the Vice President of Operations, then becoming the President in November 2001. The Waterworks is one of the premier plumbing, sewer, drain cleaning, and HVAC service businesses in the midwest.

Coach (John) Tortorella is the head coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL).  

Peter Mohler, PhD, is the vice dean for Research in the Ohio State College of Medicine, chief scientific officer and director of the Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute. His research is focused on uncovering the mechanisms underlying abnormal heart rhythms and heart failure in children and young adults with the goals of …

Lewis “Lou” Von Thaer is the President and CEO of Battelle, the world’s largest independent research and development organization.

Andrew Ginther is the Mayor of Columbus, Ohio — Andrew was elected to the Mayor’s office as the 53rd Mayor of Columbus in 2015, succeeding Mayor Michael B. Coleman, who was the longest serving mayor in Columbus city history. Mayor Ginther previously served on the Columbus City Council from 2007-2015.

Mark Kvamme is a Co-Founder and Partner at Drive Capital. Mark and Co-Founder, Chris Olsen, relocated from San Francisco to Columbus to start their own Venture Capital firm. Before founding Drive, Mark and Chris were working at Sequoia Capital (one of the most well known Venture Capital firms in Silicon Valley). Many would have called …

Studium is an education technology company offering high schools and colleges tools to build community and retain students. Studium improves student retention by breaking down barriers to student involvement and providing institutions with a holistic understanding of their student’s college experience.

JL Holdsworth is the Founder of The Spot Athletics, a World Champion powerlifter, and the Co-Founder of Reflexive Performance Reset (RPR). RPR is a system of daily self-care techniques that allow you to improve your performance. Whether you are a business owner, parent, special operations in the military or professional athlete, RPR helps you perform …

Steve Testa is the President of Nationwide Children’s Foundation; he was appointed the position in January 2018, after joining the Nationwide Children’s team in 2014. His previous roles with the foundation included Senior Vice President and Executive Director. Prior to joining Nationwide Children’s in 2014, Steve was Assistant Vice President, Foundation, at Valley Health System …

John Egnor is the Founder and President of JME Hospitality. Since the company’s beginnings in 1989, JME Hospitality has designed over 4,000 hospitality projects spanning the entire world.

Cathy Lyttle is the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Worthington Industries. Lyttle joined Worthington Industries in January 1999 as Vice President of Corporate Communications, and then became the Investor Relations Officer in 2009. Before joining Worthington, she was the Vice President of JMAC Hockey, LLC, where she helped direct the startup …

Dave has a diverse background spanning his 20-year career in healthcare and life sciences, as well as in both large corporations and start-ups. Prior to leading the creation of Deep Lens, Inc., Dave was the Director of Data Strategy for Cardinal Health (Fortune 500-Rank #14) where he developed data monetization strategies and new product development …

Mike Edwards is the Founder of The 5 Stones Group and is an 12-time EMMY Award-winning director and cinematographer. Mike’s background in production was inspired by a hobby of taking still photos with a camera he received from his parents while in 6th grade. Mike’s passion for storytelling and the team atmosphere he creates has …

Tom Stalf is the President and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, one of the most successful zoological institutes in the country. He has over 30 years of experience in zoo-keeping and zoo management, and he’s traveled extensively for over 20 years with Jack Hanna to do educational programs, zoo promotions, and national television …

Kwame Christian is the Director of the American Negotiation Institute, subject matter expert in the field of negotiation and conflict resolution, bestselling author and podcast host among many other impressive feats. He also runs his own podcast, Negotiate Anything, about negotiation and discussing challenging subjects.  

Britney Ruby Miller is CEO of Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment, Cincinnati’s preeminent restaurant group which manages a portfolio of high end steakhouses widely regarded as among the best in the nation. She heads an organization of 7 steakhouses in Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee and leads a team of more than 700 employees.

Kevin Crowley has been in the restaurant business his whole life; and while not originally from Columbus, he found his way here for undergrad at tOSU, before leaving undergrad to attend culinary school. Kevin came back to OSU for his MBA, and in 2018 he and his wife decided to found the Lox Bagel Shop. …

Lorien Luehrs is the President and COO of HomeTown Ticketing, one of the fastest growing digital ticketing providers in the K-12 industry serving schools, districts, conferences, and state associations at no cost.

Debra is the President and CEO of Penzone Salon and Spas, where she has worked for over 28 years. She has received numerous awards including the YWCA’s “Women of Achievement,” award, as well as being recognized as a Forty Under 40 from Columbus Business First. In 2014, Debbie received the “Columbus Smart 50 award,” from …

Tom Ryan is the head coach of The Ohio State University Men’s Wrestling Program. As a wrestler, Coach Ryan was a two-time NCAA D1 All-american for Iowa under Dan Gable, and was a part of two Big Ten and National Championship teams. As a coach, Tom has lead the Buckeyes to their first National Title …

Rachel is the founder and CEO of TENFOLD, an award-winning strategy and creative firm here in Columbus. Prior to founding TENFOLD in 2014, Rachel was the EVP of Marketing and Branding for Continental Office and spent years working for industry innovator, Herman Miller. Rachel has over 25 years of experience in marketing strategy, branding and …

Studio Freight is an independent brand and digital design studio here in Columbus. Working with teams like Root Insurance, Roosevelt Coffee Roasters, and Elliot (to name a few) their team helps grow brands by making them easy to understand, and impossible to ignore.