News from The Presidents' Council

"Lonnie's Leap of Faith"

Lonnie Coleman describes starting his own business as tantamount to "walking off a cliff." The world was a different place for Lonnie in the late '60s. As a wide-eyed young apprentice pipefitter, he worked hard and developed relationships that helped him build a mechanical contracting empire that is remaking Cleveland's infrastructure and positioning himself to do the same for other mid-west cities.

Lonnie recalls those early days, a time when you didn't have the technological luxuries of today. No fast computers, faxes, cell phones, PDAs, or 3-D graphics. Plunging over the cliff into your own business meant everything from mopping floors to answering phones to selling the businesses to managing the money to performing the actual labor. In the beginning, Lonnie and his partner made do with what they had and took advantage of help from others in the industry who offered assistance and guidance. "Let me show you the way," is the phrase that comes to mind when Lonnie remembers how his mentors offered to cushion his plunge into entrepreneurship. With their guidance, Lonnie went and "got the work."

And from the mid-70s to the mid-90s, Lonnie's company, the ColeJon Corporation, grew rapidly by designing, installing, and maintaining quality mechanical systems for high-rise office buildings, hospitals, utility complexes, and governmental centers. In 1994, Lonnie's company acquired the assets of Spohn Corporation, a leading mechanical contracting company in Northeast Ohio. Since the acquisition, the Coleman Spohn Corporation has helped rebuild Cleveland's infrastructure on notable projects such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Progressive Field, Quicken Loans Arena, Key Tower, Cleveland Browns Stadium, and The Cleveland Clinic's Stem Cell Research Facility.

And just like his early mentors, Lonnie sees his success not simply from a business perspective, but from a community perspective. He's much more than a mechanical contractor. "Community is important to us," he says. "When we're awarded a contract, we look at that contract as an investment in our business and it is important that we put a part of that investment right back into the community." Lonnie creates opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs, allowing for growth in his own diverse company. Lonnie believes there's "no glass ceiling" to producing new opportunities to various sub-contractors throughout the region. "My door is always open to emerging entrepreneurs," Lonnie says. "I welcome them, and provide advice, contacts, and as much direction as possible."

Even following all of his success, and after achieving $23 million in annual sales, Lonnie confidently says, "We can do more." If Cleveland represents his company's home, then the mid-west represents its backyard. "If we can get there by plane in two hours, we view it as a new business opportunity," he says. Lonnie's not ready to make any announcements yet, but don't be surprised if Coleman Spohn's influence soon expands to cover those full two airtime hours.

While his company grows in size and scope, Lonnie himself is evolving as well. In March 2009, Lonnie became president of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, a national organization representing more than 2,500 firms throughout the U.S. in the heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, plumbing, piping, and mechanical service industries. Lonnie is using this national platform to move the industry forward by 1) embracing green technologies to help reduce long-time dependence on foreign oil; 2) educating long-time members about new technologies, such as 3D modeling, to remain competitive; and 3) ensuring the next wave of entrepreneurs are availed of the opportunities Lonnie had when he launched into the business.

Back home in Cleveland, The Presidents' Council remains an important part of Lonnie's agenda. He recognizes how emerging entrepreneurs can grow through the work of The Presidents' Council and its proven leadership, partnering and relationships, and strategic investments in Northeast Ohio. He knows this because he was once that young, driven entrepreneur who made the leap and has now landed firmly on both feet.