PNC C-Speak

On PNC C-Speak, hosts Josh Schimmels, Publisher and CEO of the Los Angeles Business Journal, and Todd Wilson, PNC Bank Regional President for Greater Los Angeles, speak with Jeffrey A. Hirsch, President and CEO of Starz. The conversation explores Starz’s bold path to independence, strategies for driving audience growth, and leading through industry disruption. Hirsch also shares perspectives on building high-performing teams, simplifying operations , strengthening a specialty brand, and unlocking new opportunities within Los Angeles’ constantly ever-evolving entertainment landscape.

With this episode we conclude the PNC C-Speak Family Business Series. Our three-part mini-series has highlighted the stories, insights, and bold moves of family-run businesses like Bobrick Washroom Equipment, led by Chairman and CEO Mark Louchheim. Hosts Josh Schimmels,

Publisher and CEO of the Los Angeles Business Journal, and Todd Wilson, PNC Bank Regional President for Greater Los Angeles, talk with Mark about his 45-year leadership journey from project manager to CEO, revealing the strategies behind scaling a global manufacturing powerhouse while remaining family-owned in Los Angeles. He offers candid insights on the innovative strategies he has used to smooth the company’s succession to the next generation of leadership. Expect a masterclass on navigating economic headwinds, building winning teams, and driving growth as an entrepreneur in the ever-evolving LA business landscape.

On this encore episode, part of PNC C-Speak's Family Business Series, hosts Josh Schimmels and Todd Wilson sit down with Henry Hernandez, President and CEO of Inter-Con Security, to hear how he scaled his family’s security business into a billion-dollar global powerhouse. 

As a third-generation leader, Henry built on the legacy his father and grandfather started by betting on himself and driving bold growth. He shares lessons on scaling globally, fostering a culture where employees thrive, and the power of keeping your word as a leader. Henry also offers insights on succession planning, philanthropy, and leadership rooted in Los Angeles, with candid stories of resilience and what it takes to lead at the intersection of security and technology. 

PNC C-Speak introduces the Family Business Series, a three-part miniseries highlighting the stories, insights, and bold moves behind successful family-run businesses.

Hosted by Josh Schimmels, publisher and CEO of the Los Angeles Business Journal, and Todd Wilson, PNC Bank regional president for Greater Los Angeles, the series kicks off with an inspiring conversation featuring Janice Bryant Howroyd – or “JBH,” as she’s known.

JBH is the trailblazing founder and CEO of ActOne Group and the first African American woman to build and own a billion-dollar company. She shares her remarkable journey from humble beginnings in North Carolina to leading a global workforce solutions firm headquartered in Los Angeles.

Listeners will gain compelling insights on:

• Prioritizing resourcefulness over resources
• Building a strong, values-driven company culture
• Empowering teams to lead and grow
• Embracing technological change
• Sustaining entrepreneurial persistence

The episode also delivers actionable strategies for creating a lasting business – and a meaningful family legacy.

PNC C-Speak introduces the Family Business Series, a three-part miniseries highlighting the stories, insights, and bold moves behind successful family-run businesses. Hosted by Josh Schimmels, publisher and CEO of the Los Angeles Business Journal, and Todd Wilson, PNC Bank regional president for Greater Los Angeles, the series kicks off with an inspiring conversation featuring Janice Bryant Howroyd – or “JBH,” as she’s known. JBH is the trailblazing founder and CEO of ActOne Group and the first African American woman to build and own a billion-dollar company. She shares her remarkable journey from humble beginnings in North Carolina to leading a global workforce solutions firm headquartered in Los Angeles.

On this episode of PNC C-Speak, hosts Josh Schimmels, Publisher and CEO of the Los Angeles Business Journal, and Todd Wilson,

Regional President of PNC Bank for Greater Los Angeles, learn about Loren Castle’s remarkable journey from cancer survivor to entrepreneur, building America’s #1 natural cookie dough brand. The CEO of Sweet Loren’s reveals lessons learned in resilience, consumer insight, and scaling a purpose-driven brand to 35,000 stores nationwide. Discover how she built a profitable, PE-free company by listening to customers, outsmarting industry giants, and staying focused. If you’re interested in business leadership, entrepreneurial grit, and how LA-based companies are shaping the food industry, join Todd and Josh for Loren’s candid insights and inspiration.

On this episode of PNC C-Speak, hosts Josh Schimmels, Publisher and CEO of the Los Angeles Business Journal, and Todd Wilson, PNC Bank Regional President for Greater Los Angeles, welcome Nate Patena, Co-Founder and CEO of DrinkPak. From launching breakthrough beverage brands to building one of the world’s fastest-growing canned-drink manufacturers, Nate shares lessons in bold leadership, smart risk-taking, and scaling through innovation. His “California cowboy” mindset - blending speed, curiosity, and sustainable practices - offers inspiration for anyone leading a team, growing a business, or investing in the future of manufacturing. 

On this episode of PNC C-Speak, hosts Josh Schimmels, Publisher and CEO of the Los Angeles Business Journal, and Todd Wilson, PNC Bank Regional President for Greater Los Angeles, talk with Jamie Siminoff, inventor and founder of Ring. Jamie shares his journey from tinkering in his garage to creating a product that transformed home security. Today, as he helps drive the future of smart, connected devices at Amazon, Jamie and his team maintain their startup spirit, using AI to advance their mission of making neighborhoods safer. From being turned down on Shark Tank to embracing customer feedback that continually enhances their products, Jamie reflects on the perseverance, innovation, and leadership it takes to guide a company with millions of devices protecting homes around the world.

PNC C-Speak hosts Josh Schimmels and Todd Wilson sit down with Henry Hernandez, President and CEO of Inter-Con Security, to hear how he scaled his family’s security business into a billion-dollar global powerhouse.

As a third-generation leader, Henry built on the legacy his father and grandfather started by betting on himself and driving bold growth. He shares lessons on scaling globally, fostering a culture where employees thrive, and the power of keeping your word as a leader. Henry also offers insights on succession planning, philanthropy, and leadership rooted in Los Angeles, with candid stories of resilience and

what it takes to lead at the intersection of security and technology.

On this episode of PNC C-Speak, hosts Josh Schimmels of Los Angeles Business Journal and Todd Wilson of PNC Bank talk with Wemimo Abbey, co-founder and co-CEO of Esusu, one of the few Black-founded fintech unicorns in the United States. From humble beginnings in the slums of Lagos, Nigeria, to redefining financial inclusion in America’s boardrooms, Abbey shares his remarkable journey of grit, gratitude, and giving back. Driven by personal experience, Abbey and his team built Esusu around a mission to break down systemic barriers and create a financial system where everyone can be seen. In this candid conversation, Abbey talks through the challenges of startup life, the balancing act between purpose and profitability, and his relentless focus on customer needs. He also pulls back the curtain on raising $130 million after being turned down by over 300 investors and reveals how a “win-win-win” mindset has shaped Esusu’s rapid growth. You’ll be reminded that meaningful companies are built on conviction as much as on capital as you listen to this episode of PNC C-Speak, where we bring you inspiring stories behind business innovation and leadership in Los Angeles.