Leading Through Legacy: Mary Lisle Landhuis on Family Business and Modern Manufacturing
On this episode of the Deal Team Six podcast, our host, Tammie Miller is joined by Mary Lisle Landhuis, President of Lisle Corporation—a fifth-generation, family-owned business with a 120+ year history. Mary shares her unexpected path to leadership, how the company balances innovation with tradition, and the lessons she’s learned managing a business with more than 75 shareholders.
Episode Transcription
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[1:05] Mary talks about her background
[5:40] Mary’s transition to company President
[9:42] Mary discusses working with other family members in the business
[13:01] Mary talks about the Lisle decision-making process and how to use an Executive Team to create strategy
[17:06] Tammie asks Mary about “family rules” and “dos and don’ts” governing the management of the family business
[18:07] Mary discusses the various tools she uses to communicate with family shareholders
[22:47] Mary discusses how the family shares poor company performance
[23:4] Mary discusses her ability to “turn off” her family business mindset
[27:11] Tammie and Mary discuss the ability to find good talent in a small town
[29:10] Mary talks about her outlook for the remainder of 2025
[30:56] Mary talks about what roles and resources she has relied on most heavily to prepare herself for her current role as president
[34:51] Mary gives suggestions for other family-owned businesses
Meet Your Hosts
Tammie Miller and Tim Oleszczuk started the Deal Team Six® Podcast because they saw that there was lack of representation for middle market businesses in the investment banking world. This podcast will include stories from previous transactions, M&A market information, and candid discussions around topics that are important to business owners contemplating a sale. Most of the topics are inspired by former clients and past transactions
