Meet Our Leadership Team!

Steve Leonard

Owner

Ever since Steve Leonard opened his first restaurant in 1991, he has proven time and time again what leadership in the food industry is all about. Whether its's focusing on great customer service or being a great employer to hundreds of hard-working men and women at his restaurants, Steve is the epitome of what a successful and caring McDonald's franchisee should embody. He believes success is made through people...and developing people is the key to growth.

Steve has served on countless local and national boards supporting McDonald's including the National Franchise Leadership Group and The local Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Steve Leonard and his wife Julie have been married for over 40 years and he enjoys working in his family business with both his son and son-in-law. Outside of work, Steve enjoys spending time with family.

Nate Leonard

Owner

Even before Nate Leonard was old enough to legally work, he was helping out at his dad's restaurants after school and on weekends. From wiping off tables, to sweeping floors and mowing the grass, Nate was a hard worker from the get go - and he had a lot of "get up & go!"

In 2011, Nate made the decision to change careers and get involved in the family business. He like his father, Nate was required to work in the restaurants and build his resume with McDonalds, working all the positions within the restaurants - ultimately becoming General Manager, Supervisor and Director of Operations. He is now an Owner/Operator for one of the greatest brands in the world and one of the most successful McDonald's franchisees - Leonard Management. Like his father, Nate believes having great people who receive the best training available is the key to success.

Outside of work, Nate enjoys spending time with his wife Maddie and daughter Jaxyn.

Blake Zogleman

Owner

Steve's son-in-law Blake Zogleman had interest in coming to work for the family business. So, in 2009, with very little restaurant experience outside of waiting tables in college, he went to work for another family owned McDonald's franchisee near where he lived at the time. Working at McDonald's, he found his passion, he enjoyed helping customers being part of a team that achieved immediate results. In 2010, he and his wife Erin (Steve's daughter) moved to Omaha where he began working for Leonard Management, starting out as a crew person. He worked his way through all capacities in the restaurant and ultimately achieved the position of General Manager, then Supervisor, Director of Operations and, finally, Owner/Operator with McDonald's.

Blake takes pride in taking an active role in his local business. He understands that having great people and developing great people has been the key to their family's success over the years. Blake enjoys new challenges and seeing his people grow professionally, finding it extremely rewarding when dreams/goals never thought possible are accomplished.

Outside of work Blake enjoys spending time with his family. He's been known to assist in coaching kids sports when called upon and likes helping others when time allows. Blake recognizes his success could not be achieved without the unfaltering love and support his wife, Erin, has provided.

Michele McManigal

CFO

Michele McManigal began working as the Controller and Office Manager for Leonard Management in 2013 and was quickly promoted to Chief Financial Officer a year later. She brings more than 30 years of experience in finance and accounting to the organization and is skilled in budgeting, risk and cash management, customer service and Human Resources.

She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Business Leadership from College of St. Mary in 2008. Michele's day-to-day responsibilities include overseeing the payroll/accounts payable functions of the organization, preparing financial statements and budgets, and managing the operations of the business office.

A native of Fremont, Michele worked at the Fremont location during high school to earn spending money. In her spare time, Michele enjoys spending time with family, listening to music, reading and gardening.

Preston Stahl

Vice President of Operations

Preston Stahl brings more than 30 years of award-winning McDonald's restaurant experience to the Leonard Management team. Preston assumed his current role as Director of Operations in 2019 and understands the operations of McDonald's in his "big picture" approach - he has lead technology implementation, has overseen new construction and building redesigns and has been a part of the strategic plan for improved operations and business growth.

As a proven leader in the restaurant business, Stahl believes that leadership is a privilege which carries with it the responsibility to build exceptional teams that drive business and brand growth. He has lead management development, food safety, and cost management courses that have benefited hundreds of employees. Preston's leadership has earned him multiple awards including People's Champion award, Outstanding Drive-Thru award, and six Outstanding Restaurant Manager awards.

Stahl has also received the prestigious Ray Kroc Award, which is awarded to the top one percent of McDonalds restaurant managers in the country.

Andrea Clymer

Director of Operations

Andrea started working for McDonald's Corporation when she was 15 years old because she wanted some extra spending money. She worked her way through the restaurant ranks during her time with McDonald's Corporation joining Leonard Management in 2008. In her five years as a general manager for Leonard Management she won four Outstanding Restaurant Manager awards and the prestigious Ray Kroc Award which is awarded to the top 1% of restaurant managers in the country. Her success as a general manager led to a promotion to Area Supervisor and now to her current role as Director of Operations.

Andrea has a passion for teaching and working with people which has served her well throughout her career. Andrea loves helping people achieve their goals. One of her greatest accomplishments as a leader was seeing someone she mentored win the Ray Kroc Award. Andrea believes that if you take care of your people, they will take care of your business.

Outside of work Andrea loves spending time with her husband and two children. Andrea also loves to travel, preferably to somewhere with a beach!

Bridget Lehr

Director of Operations

I began my McDonald's career working in Huron South Dakota for my first owner operator in 1983 as a part time crew person. I worked my way through the restaurant ranks and was promoted to GM in the Huron restaurant in 1984. On April 15th, 1985, I moved to Yankton SD to GM that restaurant for my O/O. My husband Kelly and I co-managed the Yankton restaurant together for 15 years. I was the recipient of 4 Outstanding Store Manager awards. May 1st of 2000 I was promoted to Area Supervisor of 3 restaurants.

I became a member of the LMI McFamily in 2019. Shortly after, a 4th restaurant was added to my Supervisor Patch. January of 2023, I had the honor of being promoted to Director of Operations.

I am the People Lead for the Dakotas business unit and have created a network of People Experience Leads in our restaurants.

My McDonald's passions are People and Operations. From the crew to the customers, I have worked with and met so many great people, many who became lifelong friends!

In my tenure with McDonalds, I've had the opportunity and privilege to lead and instruct Manager Development classes, assist facilitating product and promotion deployment. I've served as a Servsafe Proctor and food safety ambassador. I've helped create systems to recruit, develop, organize, and retain people. I've aided in developing a standardized crew training path for our organization.

Outside of work I love spending time with our 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren. Travel and vacations top the list as well, especially when it's with the whole family!

Daniel Wojtalewicz

Executive Director, Human Resources

I am a human resource executive with over 20 years of responsible and progressive experience in human resource management in retail finance and healthcare industries. My professional experiences include executive level management, strategic program management, training/employee development, resource and budget forecasting, organizational and benefit plan development, employee relations, human resource technology systems along with other numerous disciplines.

I currently serve as the Executive Director of Human Resources for Leonard Management. In this role I am responsible for the overall HR functions of the entire organization supporting over 2,200 employees in 32 locations. I received my Bachelors Degree in Finance for Wayne State College in Wayne, NE in 2000. In 2012 I complete my MBA in Human Resource Management from Bellevue University in Bellevue, NE. I am currently completing my Doctorate in Business Administration through Cal Southern University.

Prior to my role as Executive Director of Human Resources, I served as the Vice President of Human Resources for Clarkson College in Omaha, NE where I was responsible for the overall HR services to all employees within the organization. In every HR role, I provided strategic business partnering to the senior leadership team as well as manage a group of HR professionals responsible for supporting the managers and their employees. I am from St. Paul, NE and in my spare time, I like to travel and spend time with family and friends.