CEOs You Should Know Columbus

CEOs You Should Know Columbus

CEOs You Should Know - iHeartMedia Columbus' showcase of businesses that drive the Central Ohio economy. Hear from the Capital City’s key business leaders who contribute to the vibrant and growing community.

Episodes

December 29, 2025 33 mins
Jamie & Jonathan Wilcox are not just brothers, they are managing partners at Columbus based Wilcox Communities. A family-owned, award winning company is a premier builder and developer of for-rent maintenance-free communities. Our communities offer an easier lifestyle without the hassle of exterior maintenance, and many luxurious amenities such as clubhouses, heated pools, walking trails, and more. At Wilcox Communities, we are...
Mark as Played
Brad Kaplan is the entrepreneurial force behind Lion Cub’s Cookies, a gourmet cookie

company based in Columbus, Ohio. His journey began while studying at The Ohio State

University’s Fisher College of Business, where he started experimenting with cookie

recipes in his kitchen treating it like a science lab, tweaking ingredients one at a time to

perfect texture and flavor.

Originally trained as an engineer, Brad left his day job to pursue...
Mark as Played
Sen Siva, MD, is the Chief Executive Officer for MedOne Healthcare Partners and has more than 15 years of medical experience. In his role as CEO, he oversees more than 160 clinicians across numerous care sites, partners with hospital and practice leaders to develop and implement strategic initiatives and fosters a collaborative environment in which MedOne can deliver on its mission to make healthcare better. Prior to his current ro...
Mark as Played
CEO & Co-Founder | R. RiveterLisa Bradley, a trailblazing entrepreneur and staunch advocate for military spouses, co-founded R. Riveter with a vision that transcends business success. Her journey epitomizes resilience, determination, and a profound commitment to service.Under her leadership, the brand has evolved from a small startup into a nationally recognized company that provides mobile, flexible income opportunities for mi...
Mark as Played
A first Gulf War Veteran, Keith brings three decades of experience managing assets and investor capital, including acquisitions, for NiSource, Security Capital Group, and Case & Associates. Keith was responsible for growing the Southwestern territory, including Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before relocating to Ohio with NiSource. He serves as secretary on the Move to Prosper board of directors. Keith has served on boards for ...
Mark as Played
Dr Mary Lou Luebbe-Gearhart, Au.D is an experienced Board Certified Doctor of Audiology, Hearing Aid & Tinnitus Specialist & CEO of Luebbe Hearing Services with offices in Columbus, Circleville & Canal Winchester, a family business established by her father that she has led for 52 years with integrity & innovation.  Graduated with 2 degrees from Ohio State & a Doctorate from U of Florida. ”You’ll Hear What You’v...
Mark as Played
With over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, John

Tribble has developed a broad and dynamic skill set. His expertise

spans strategic thinking, financial acumen, communications,

business development, governance, risk management, and

cultivating a strong organizational culture. Additionally, he excels

in employee engagement, navigating highly regulated industries,

and executing effective go-to-market strategies.

John plays an...
Mark as Played
A dynamic and seasoned executive, Jim Hamel assumed leadership of Swanson

Health Products, a global vitamin and supplement company in November 2021. As CEO,

he has led the company to achieve double digit revenue growth internationally in his first

fiscal year and has overseen expansion into 170+ international markets totaling over

US $80M in revenue.

Under Jim’s leadership, Swanson Health Products has continued its commitment to

industry...
Mark as Played
Reuben D. Rotman is the founding President and CEO of the Network of Jewish Human

Service Agencies. The Network was established in 2017 following the merger of two

predecessor associations, as an international membership association, with the mission

of strengthening and advancing the Jewish human service sector. Today, The Network

serves as the leading voice for the sector; the go-to for best practice research,

innovation, and partners...
Mark as Played
Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer for Downtown Columbus, Inc., Greg Davies served as Vice President of Planning and Development for The Columbus Partnership. In this role, he was the point person for the business community on several critical issues, including affordable housing, while serving as the liaison with the City of Columbus for key projects like The Peninsula and Ohio State University’s Innovation Distri...
Mark as Played
Kevin currently serves as the Donatos President & CEO and leads the growth of the Donatos Brand through Franchising, Operations, Marketing, People Services, and Technology. Kevin has compiled a distinguished and impressive career in the restaurant industry, one that spans over three decades. Through his professional efforts, King’s work has resulted in the creation of over 1,500 restaurants in six countries. He has served as an...
Mark as Played
Michael McDermott, founder and former CEO of Kona Grill, is a seasoned restaurant industry leader with a track record of creating and growing successful concepts. His portfolio includes the development of Tavern23, Rojo Mexican Grill, and Sushi on Shea. With extensive experience and a passion for innovation, Michael is now leading Chi-Chi’s into its next chapter.
Mark as Played
Bridget Ruehl is the new face of a changing industry. As a woman, she is the shining star of the next generation of automotive leaders. She became a graduate of the NADA Academy while being charged with running the operations at her father’s underperforming dealership. Her success has been hard fought, working her way up the automotive leadership ladder in an industry dominated by men. In 2012, she took over operations at LCDJR. In...
Mark as Played
Tom Schmid,is the President and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, including The Wilds, Safari Golf Club, and Zoombezi Bay. Formerly CEO of the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, Schmid brings over 34 years of experience in modern zoological attractions, working in every aspect of operations, both internally and externally, and in institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).From 2012-2013, he serv...
Mark as Played
As a co-founder and owner of Balanced Family Academy, Becca Pahl has been a guiding visionary since its inception in 2014. Inspired by her own journey through early motherhood, she and her sisters, Sarah and Katie, established the Academy to provide a nurturing and balanced environment for young families in Columbus. Recognizing the widespread need for this support, Becca has spearheaded the company's expansion through a successful...
Mark as Played
Monica Tèllez-Fowler is the President/CEO of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), the mobility organization providing service to Columbus and the Central Ohio region. Since joining COTA in March 2023, she has served as Chief Operating Officer before she was promoted to Deputy CEO in May 2023. In May 2024, she became COTA’s new President/CEO, after a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees.

During her time at COTA, Monica succe...
Mark as Played
Jane Higgins Marx joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in August 2000 and practices estate and business planning, probate, probate litigation, business succession planning, and elder law. Jane counsels individuals, business owners, executives, and caregivers through estate planning, estate and gift taxation, income taxation of trusts and estates, charitable giving, business succession, and probate matters. She provides comprehen...
Mark as Played
Lori Watson is the innovative CEO and second-generation owner of The Flag Lady, a family-founded business built on a passion for quality craftsmanship and exceptional service. Established in 1980 by her mother, Mary Leavitt, The Flag Lady has become a trusted name in American-made flags. After working alongside her mother for over three decades, Lori assumed leadership in 2017, infusing the business with fresh branding, digital exp...
Mark as Played
Megan Vanderson is the founder and CEO of Macon Alley, a certified women-owned and -led business specializing in designing retail spaces for some of the world’s most recognizable brands. With a focus on creativity, collaboration, and efficiency, Macon Alley has quickly become a trusted partner to leading Fortune 500 companies, delivering high-quality retail environments while streamlining the design process to accelerate store open...
Mark as Played
As co-CEO at Schneider Downs, Chris McElroy oversees one of the largest regional accounting firms in the U.S., with more than 550 professionals and offices in Pittsburgh, Columbus and Metro Washington DC. He brings 35 years of experience in international and domestic tax, serving clients across various industries and sizes, from Fortune 100 to start-ups.

Chris joined Schneider Downs in 2017 after leading the Columbus Tax Market and ...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Burden

    The Burden is a documentary series that takes listeners into the hidden places where justice is done (and undone). It dives deep into the lives of heroes and villains. And it focuses a spotlight on those who triumph even when the odds are against them. Season 5 - The Burden: Death & Deceit in Alliance On April Fools Day 1999, 26-year-old Yvonne Layne was found murdered in her Alliance, Ohio home. David Thorne, her ex-boyfriend and father of one of her children, was instantly a suspect. Another young man admitted to the murder, and David breathed a sigh of relief, until the confessed murderer fingered David; “He paid me to do it.” David was sentenced to life without parole. Two decades later, Pulitzer winner and podcast host, Maggie Freleng (Bone Valley Season 3: Graves County, Wrongful Conviction, Suave) launched a “live” investigation into David's conviction alongside Jason Baldwin (himself wrongfully convicted as a member of the West Memphis Three). Maggie had come to believe that the entire investigation of David was botched by the tiny local police department, or worse, covered up the real killer. Was Maggie correct? Was David’s claim of innocence credible? In Death and Deceit in Alliance, Maggie recounts the case that launched her career, and ultimately, “broke” her.” The results will shock the listener and reduce Maggie to tears and self-doubt. This is not your typical wrongful conviction story. In fact, it turns the genre on its head. It asks the question: What if our champions are foolish? Season 4 - The Burden: Get the Money and Run “Trying to murder my father, this was the thing that put me on the path.” That’s Joe Loya and that path was bank robbery. Bank, bank, bank, bank, bank. In season 4 of The Burden: Get the Money and Run, we hear from Joe who was once the most prolific bank robber in Southern California, and beyond. He used disguises, body doubles, proxies. He leaped over counters, grabbed the money and ran. Even as the FBI was closing in. It was a showdown between a daring bank robber, and a patient FBI agent. Joe was no ordinary bank robber. He was bright, articulate, charismatic, and driven by a dark rage that he summoned up at will. In seven episodes, Joe tells all: the what, the how… and the why. Including why he tried to murder his father. Season 3 - The Burden: Avenger Miriam Lewin is one of Argentina’s leading journalists today. At 19 years old, she was kidnapped off the streets of Buenos Aires for her political activism and thrown into a concentration camp. Thousands of her fellow inmates were executed, tossed alive from a cargo plane into the ocean. Miriam, along with a handful of others, will survive the camp. Then as a journalist, she will wage a decades long campaign to bring her tormentors to justice. Avenger is about one woman’s triumphant battle against unbelievable odds to survive torture, claim justice for the crimes done against her and others like her, and change the future of her country. Season 2 - The Burden: Empire on Blood Empire on Blood is set in the Bronx, NY, in the early 90s, when two young drug dealers ruled an intersection known as “The Corner on Blood.” The boss, Calvin Buari, lived large. He and a protege swore they would build an empire on blood. Then the relationship frayed and the protege accused Calvin of a double homicide which he claimed he didn’t do. But did he? Award-winning journalist Steve Fishman spent seven years to answer that question. This is the story of one man’s last chance to overturn his life sentence. He may prevail, but someone’s gotta pay. The Burden: Empire on Blood is the director’s cut of the true crime classic which reached #1 on the charts when it was first released half a dozen years ago. Season 1 - The Burden In the 1990s, Detective Louis N. Scarcella was legendary. In a city overrun by violent crime, he cracked the toughest cases and put away the worst criminals. “The Hulk” was his nickname. Then the story changed. Scarcella ran into a group of convicted murderers who all say they are innocent. They turned themselves into jailhouse-lawyers and in prison founded a lway firm. When they realized Scarcella helped put many of them away, they set their sights on taking him down. And with the help of a NY Times reporter they have a chance. For years, Scarcella insisted he did nothing wrong. But that’s all he’d say. Until we tracked Scarcella to a sauna in a Russian bathhouse, where he started to talk..and talk and talk. “The guilty have gone free,” he whispered. And then agreed to take us into the belly of the beast. Welcome to The Burden.

    SmartLess

    "SmartLess" with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, & Will Arnett is a podcast that connects and unites people from all walks of life to learn about shared experiences through thoughtful dialogue and organic hilarity. A nice surprise: in each episode of SmartLess, one of the hosts reveals his mystery guest to the other two. What ensues is a genuinely improvised and authentic conversation filled with laughter and newfound knowledge to feed the SmartLess mind. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of SmartLess ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.