Veteran Twin Cities dealmaker Tom Lyons is building his expertise behind the microphone as well, hosting radio shows featuring two of his favorite subjects: business and the military.

Lyons, 59, hosts "Today's Business Radio," a five-minute segment that airs at 11:59 a.m. weekdays and the "Minnesota Military Radio Hour" at 7 a.m. on Sundays, on Twin Cities NewsTalk (AM 1130). (Both programs are available online at their respective websites,TodaysBusinessRadio.com and MinnesotaMilitaryRadioHour.com).

The Military Hour will mark its one-year broadcast anniversary this month as Lyons settles into an "executive summary" format and a new station and time slot for his business program, which he began producing in 2009.

Lyons, the founder and principal partner of Faelon Partners Ltd., a mergers, acquisitions and consulting firm in Golden Valley, comes to the airwaves with 35 years of experience in owning, operating and buying and selling businesses.

He launched Faelon in 1985, after 10 years as business manager of the Sieben, Grose, Von Holum and Carey law firm in Minneapolis. He also served, during the same period, as vice president of a local investment group for which he analyzed hundreds of companies for possible acquisition.

On his business show, Lyons interviews local business advisers. As an Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam, Lyons interviews Minnesota National Guard troops and officials and focuses on such issues as veterans' benefits and hiring and supporting military families.

Q: What's the merger and acquisitions market like these days?

A: I think 2009 and 2010 were as tough as I can remember, but 2011 is loosening up. But I would have to say any time is a good time to sell a good, profitable business. There's plenty of money for that.

Q: How much time do you spend on your radio work each week?

A: Half a day to a day a week. It gets our name out there, it's good visibility. The military work comes from the heart. It's a really enjoyable thing to do, to meet the troops and generals, to help the troops and their families.

Q: What's it like hearing your voice on the radio?

A: At first I didn't like it at all. But my wife and I listen every Sunday because I'm trying to get better. I'm my own worst self-critic. I think we've come a long way. I'm getting used to hearing it.

TODD NELSON