In this episode, Jessica Johnson-Cope, CEO of Johnson Security Bureau, shares how she turned tragedy into purpose, guiding and growing her family business beyond its 50-year milestone. Ryan Berg, co-president of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, reflects on working alongside his brothers to turn their father’s single Louisiana store into a multi-state luxury brand while keeping people and purpose at the center. And, in part 2 of our conversation, cousins Judd and Alex Loewenstein, fifth-generation co-leaders of Loewy Foods, discuss sharing the helm of a 130-year-old company.
Interested in being a guest or have a topic you’d like to hear us discuss? Contact host Zack Needles, editor-in-chief of Family Business Magazine, at: zneedles@familybusinessmagazine.com.
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Guests
Jessica Johnson-Cope
Jessica Johnson-Cope is the President and CEO of Johnson Security Bureau, a third-generation family-owned business. In her career as a business executive, she combines communications, customer service, and common sense to address customer and client challenges for the many businesses and organizations she owns, runs, serves, and is involved in. She leads the team at Johnson Security Bureau, Inc., where for over 50 years her family has protected valuable people, places, and property. At Johnson, highly respected corporations entrust their most valuable assets to her and her team. In the course of their duties, the team builds their people and communities to be the best they can be.
She is also the co-owner of The Soap Box, a premium laundry services company based in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. At The Soap Box, she and her team view their contributions to customers’ lives as freeing them to be their best selves and live their best lives.
Ryan Berg
Ryan Berg is the Co-President and Owner of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry. His career brought him to San Antonio in 2010 when Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, his family business, founded by his father, Lee Michael Berg in 1978, required his active direction of its burgeoning San Antonio market. Thrilled with the opportunity to enjoy the rich history, strong sense of community identity, and growing diversity of the San Antonio community, Ryan moved his family from New Orleans, Louisiana to serve as Market President for Texas. Currently there are ten stores in seven markets in four states: Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and New Mexico for which Ryan now serves as Owner and Co-President and a member of the company’s Executive Committee with his two brothers, developing rich history in each of the communities it serves.
Judd Loewenstein
Judd Loewenstein is a Managing Partner at Loewy Foods, where he oversees all back-of-house operations—including logistics, inventory management, vendor relations, and overall execution. Drawing on prior experience in finance, logistics, and business development with Ascent Private Capital Management of U.S. Bank, Peregrade Ventures, and 240 Logistics, Judd brings a data-driven, operationally disciplined approach to the fifth-generation family business. A graduate of St. Olaf College with a degree in Economics and Finance, he’s passionate about optimizing systems, building strong supply-chain partnerships, and preserving the company’s legacy of quality and reliability as it scales nationally.
Alex Loewenstein
Alex Loewenstein is a Managing Partner at Loewy Foods, leading all front-of-house functions — including sales, marketing, go-to-market strategy, and business growth. Before joining Loewy Foods, he served as VP of Growth at Wurthy and held leadership roles at Paro.ai, where he focused on partnerships, market expansion, and revenue strategy. Alex holds a BBA in Strategy and Marketing from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. Combining a background in high-growth tech and business services with the heritage of a family enterprise, he’s focused on expanding Loewy Foods’ reach while maintaining its hallmark of personal service and premium quality.