Tom began the process of semi-retiring this year, although he will continue to work with the team as a consultant. As the Lions continue the best season they’ve had in years, Tom talked with the Leaders’ Edge about his years with Honolulu Blue.
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Tom Lesnau Senior Advisor, Detroit Lions |
Q. How would you describe a typical day on the job?
The days in professional sports are always interesting since the industry
changes so rapidly. There are always new challenges from financing to new
facilities, new contract structures to new labor agreement provisions and
other nuances that pop up. During the season, the days are measured by a
corporate culture perspective that’s based on team performance – whether the
team won or lost as opposed to quantifiable statistics as to profit or loss.
Q. What makes your job great?
No two years, no two seasons, and generally very few days are totally the
same. There are always new situations that change the organization’s focus
on a daily basis. Whether it is finding a replacement player following an
injury, finding new ways to market tickets or coming up with new ways to
generate revenue with the resources you have available.
Q. You’re involved with several local charities; why is community service
important to you?
The team and the Ford family are very focused on trying to give back to the
community. In 1990, we set up our own charitable organization and have
contributed millions of dollars back to various organizations and causes in
the local community. My own involvement with three other charitable
organizations, mostly serving as Treasurer, grew out of my community
involvement that started with the Detroit Lions Charities organization.
Q. You’ve been with the Lions organization for quite some time. Tell us
about your history with the team.
Originally I only planned on staying with the organization for a short time
to get some experience after public accounting. The organization was
comprised mostly of younger employees and I thought I would get some
experience and move on. I ended up staying, and was performing most of the
functions of a CFO for about six years before I received the title. When I
finally received the title in 1996 it was very gratifying.
Q. What are your major professional accomplishments?
I would probably say that my biggest accomplishment relates to the
construction of the new stadium in downtown Detroit. Previously, controlling
and operating a stadium were not part of our operations, and there were
significant learning opportunities surrounding the financing, operation, and
staffing issues related to the new entity and structure.
Q. What interests or activities are you involved in outside of work?
Besides working with charitable organizations, I am a huge MSU football and
basketball fan. I have a motor home and am looking forward to using it and
travelling more now that I will have more free time. I also have a few
classic cars, and am looking forward to spending some additional time
working on them and enjoying them in the summer months.
Q. What advice would you have for those considering entering the CPA
profession?
I really think it is a fantastic and rewarding career. It is going through
tremendous change at the present time, and it will continue to challenge you
with new pronouncements and the change to IFRS. I placed my license in
registered status while I was in industry, and have recently finished all of
the CPE requirements necessary to activate it again. I have not decided what
I want to do yet, but it is very exciting to see how the profession has
changed so significantly in the last 30 years.
Q. Are you reading any books right now?
I am currently reading the new Steve Jobs biography, and also working on
John Grisham’s “The Litigators.”
Q. What’s your biggest pet peeve?
It would have to be drivers who insist on texting or reading and sending
e-mails while they are driving in traffic.