From craft beverages to commercial HVAC services, state legislative advocacy, and self-published business playbooks—David Lentz ‘13 has built a career that combines his accounting skills and a hands-on approach to business.
Drawn to math and business while being a “people person”, Lentz chose accounting at Miami, with a focus on auditing, after recruiters described the ability to “hop in between clients every couple weeks.” Coursework under faculty mentor Jon Grenier brought managerial accounting to life. The Miami alumni network also became a cornerstone of his career, connecting him with business partners across his ventures.
Lentz spent the first seven years after graduation working in audit at Grant Thornton. “I’m the nerd who actually loved auditing. I thought it was the best. I would say anyone who’s coming out of accounting should try and do some sort of public accounting, because there’s just so much exposure to so many different companies,” he said.
When fellow Miami alum Brent Zimmerman ‘00 invited him to join Saucy Brew Works as the brewery’s Controller, Lentz joined Zimmerman and COO Matthew Shubeck in building a business that would eventually expand beyond beverages. While beer and pizza are the company’s historical foundation, it has expanded into coffee shops and newer offerings such as THC-infused beverages as younger customers shift away from traditional beer.
The role quickly extended well beyond traditional accounting. He provides end-to-end oversight and describes himself as being very much “in the weeds.”“It’s gone from just debits and credits to really understanding the whole operation of the business. When you’re in accounting, you have visibility into every financial transaction, which gives you a unique perspective on the how and why behind what each department is doing.”
His involvement with the industry has also led him to advocacy: he currently serves as treasurer of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association, advocating with state lawmakers to reform restrictive franchise laws to give small craft breweries more flexibility to grow their business.
As Saucy Brew Works expanded across Ohio—acquiring local craft breweries and integrating them under a shared holding company—Lentz and his partners were already eyeing their next strategic move. They began exploring “AI-proof” industries, looking for opportunities where they could apply their experience in new ways.
They turned their attention to a physical trade where their financial expertise could complement skilled field work, identifying HVAC services as a strong opportunity—recognizing that they would likely “never install an HVAC unit” themselves. “It’s kind of been our sweet spot, just being white-collar guys trying to figure out how to fit into a blue-collar environment,” said Lentz.
It also offered a way for business owners to preserve their legacy. Lentz pointed to Stan Ayers as one of his mentors. “He just wanted to retire and find a group of people that he trusted to continue on his legacy and his name within this community,” Lentz said. Lentz now serves as COO of Ayers Mechanical Group and Space Comfort, which his team has acquired as part of its broader expansion into HVAC services across Ohio.
For Lentz, the acquisition process brings together his accounting background and his interest in working with business owners. “Going through all the due diligence and M&A work that goes into it, that really excites me. I enjoy bringing new people onto our team, getting to know the owners, and learning from them. All of that helps us figure out how to get there together.”
In addition to his work with Saucy and and the HVAC companies, Lentz also works on his solo advisory venture, Brewed Fiscally, which was born out of Saucy Brew Works when he met other brewers and chefs who needed his accounting and business guidance as they opened their own businesses. Wanting to extend that guidance to more entrepreneurs, he published The Small Business Owner’s Playbook, a three-book series covering business accounting, HR, and cash flow management.
Writing the playbooks also became something of a creative outlet. His wife of 10 years, Chelsea, likes to tease him that he just needed somewhere to put all his problems on paper. “She’s not wrong,” Lentz admitted.
Lentz has managed these multiple ventures while raising two young children with Chelsea. His work-life balance revolves around a predictable family routine: “I go to work, come home, and then we’re into dinner, playing, reading books, bath time, and getting ready for bed. That’s pretty much our night, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Lentz was introduced to Miami by his aunt and uncle, Denise ’90 and Mark Eckman ’91, a Miami merger, who convinced him to take a deep look at the university. His brother, Brian Lentz ’18, later followed him to Oxford.
While a Miami student, some of his favorites included:
- Hanging out at Skippers, his go-to spot with friends.
- Winning three intramural broomball championships.
- Rooming with Swoop. Literally.
- Earning a certificate of completion for eating every calzone on the DP Dough menu.
“The best part of Miami was the people. The friends I made in Oxford, the professors who pushed me, and the alumni who opened doors for me are still the people I’m building businesses with today. Miami taught me that if you invest in relationships, the rest takes care of itself.”
