Leadership Lens

ABOUT DAVID David Andow is president of SCI, the developers of Food-Trak, a food and beverage management system designed to help organizations improve inventory, procurement, menu management, culinary control and operational decision-making. With nearly three decades of entrepreneurial experience, David has helped grow and lead multiple brands across different industries. His leadership philosophy...

ABOUT SIMEON Simeon Miranda is general manager of Embassy Suites byHilton Waikiki Beach Walk, one of the largest Embassy Suites properties in the world and a destination resort in the heart of Waikiki. With more than three decades of experience in hospitality, Simeon has built a leadership philosophy rooted in humility, respect, mentorship and service. His approach was shaped by early influences f...

ABOUT FRANK CORDEIRO Frank Cordeiro is GM/COO of Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, TX, a historic private club known for its championship golf legacy, strong family culture and deep connection to the Fort Worth community. With more than 30 years of experience in the private club industry, Frank brings a thoughtful, relationship-centered approach to leadership. His philosophy is rooted in servic...

ABOUT MICHAEL Michael Stott, CCM, CCE, is a partner with The Triumph Group and a respected leader within the private club industry with more than 30 years of experience in club management and leadership. Beginning his career as a caddie and Evan Scholar, Michael went on to serve as a GM for more than three decadesbefore transitioning into executive search, leadership advisory and consulting. Known...

ABOUT BILL McMAHON Bill McMahon Sr., AIA, OAA, is founder of McMahon Group and a strategic, financial and architectural planning consultant to private clubs throughout North America and beyond. Since establishing the firm in 1983, Bill has helped more than 2,000 clubs navigate complex challenges related to governance,membership, capital planning and facility development. With a background in archi...

ABOUT LARRY Larry Hirsh is president of Golf Property Analysts, a real estatespecialty consulting, appraisal and brokerage firm focused on golf and club properties across the United States. With a career spanning several decades, he has advised private clubs, boards and ownership groups on valuation, market positioning and long-term financial sustainability. Known for his objective, data-driven ap...

ABOUT ROGER Roger Chao is a board consultant and governance expert who works with organizations to strengthen board performance, improve governance structures and build high-functioning leadership teams. With experience advising boards across multiple sectors, Roger focuses on helping directors understand their roles, improve decision-making processes and create cultures of accountability and trus...

ABOUT ERIC Eric Bischofberger, CCM, CMCA, is GM/COO of Hampton Hall Club, a Distinguished Club with EXCEPTIONAL status located in Bluffton, South Carolina. With a career rooted in the private club industry from an early age, Eric was influenced by his father, a longtime club manager, shaping his passion for hospitality andleadership. Known for his people-first leadership style, Eric emphasizes cul...

ABOUT TOM Tom Vlach is the founder of Triumph Group, a boutique executive search and advisory firm specializing in the private club industry. Prior to founding the firm, he spent more than 30 years as a golf course superintendent, including leadership roles within the PGA Tour and at premier club properties. Known for his relationship-driven approach, Tom emphasizes integrity, honesty and long-ter...

ABOUT DAVID David Main, MBA, PGA, ECM, is GM/CEO of Lambton Golf & Country Club and a past president of the Club Managers Association of Canada. A former PGA professional, he began his career in golf operations before transitioning into club management, where he has spent more than two decades leading teams and shaping club culture. Known for his thoughtful, people-centered leadership style, D...

ABOUT COREY Corey Saban is a communications strategist with a background in journalism, broadcasting and leadership communications. Over the course of his career, he has worked across media, storytelling, team development and crisis communication, helping leaders and organizations strengthen the way they connect with others. Known for his thoughtful, engaging and people-centered approach, Corey br...

ABOUT MELISSA Melissa Low is vice president of communications and advocacy at the Club Management Association of America. With more than 20 years at CMAA, she has played a key role in shaping the association’s communications strategy, event marketing, media outreach and advocacy efforts. Throughout her career, Melissa has worked at the intersection of industry education, public affairs and legisla...

ABOUT RICHARD Richard LaRocca, CCM, CCE, is GM/COO of St. Clair Country Club and immediate past chair of CMAA. A respected leader in the private club industry, he has a 40-year career. Known for his steady, people-centered leadership style, Richard has built his reputation on service, mentorship and a deep belief that great club culture begins with investing in people. He has long been committed t...

Jeff Thomas is the general manager of Corning Country Club, where he has led a decade of transformational growth grounded in servant leadership and transparent communication. Under his leadership, membership increased from 251 to capacity, financial stability improved and club culture evolved into a vibrant, highly engaged community. Jeff began his career with Eagle Golf and American Golf, where m...

ABOUT PASSION Passion Graham is the founder of Passionate Productions, a communication and training firm dedicated to helping individuals and organizations present themselves with confidence, authenticity and impact. With a background in media and performance, she specializes in public speaking coaching, presentation skills and leadership communication. Passion works with executives, teams and pro...

Gregg Patterson is a veteran private club leader, author and consultant known for his thoughtful approach to governance, culture and member experience. Over a decades-long career as a general manager, he guided one of the country’s premier clubs through sustained growth while cultivating deep loyalty among members and staff. Widely respected as a mentor and educator, Gregg is known for his emphasi...

Marcie Mills, CCM is a Search & Consulting Executive with Kopplin Kuebler & Wallace, bringing more than 25 years of leadership experience in hospitality and private club management. Most recently, she served as General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of The Mirabel Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, a BoardRoom Distinguished Club with ELITE status. Known for her strategic mindset and commitm...

Frank Vain serves as chairman of McMahon Group, where he has spent more than 37 years advising private clubs on strategic planning, long-range vision and governance. His work has supported some of the leading private clubs in North America and Asia, helping boards navigate economic cycles, evolvinglifestyle trends and the complexities of the membership model. Known for his data-informed, thoughtfu...

About Russell Russell Miller, CCM, MBA, serves as general manager at Balboa Yacht Club in Newport Beach, California, where he leads club operations with a focus on service excellence, organizational clarity and long-term stewardship. With a career rooted in hospitality leadership, Russell brings a disciplined,thoughtful approach to building culture, aligning teams and delivering consistent member...

Step into the world of experience design and service culture with Marc Schwarz as he shares how his unconventional career path, from boutique hospitality and luxury automotive to public health and brand strategy, shaped his philosophy on leadership, training and human connection. Grounded, curious and deeply people-focused, Marc offers a thoughtful look at how great service is engineered not throu...

Episode Highlights Step onto the courts at Fisher Island Club with head of racquetsDominique Lemperle as she shares the unconventional path that led her from journalism and broadcast media into racquet sports leadership, the mentors who shaped her growth and the people-first mindset guiding her approach today. Curious, grounded and deeply committed to developing others, Dominique brings a thoughtf...

Step into a thoughtful, wide-angle view of leadership with Henry DeLozier, partner at GGA Partners and one of the private club industry’s most respected voices in governance, strategy and organizational culture. With clarity, humility and conviction, Henry reflects on the experiences that shaped his values, the moments that tested his leadership and the responsibility leaders carry when shaping en...

Step inside The National with longtime GM Joe Murphy as he shares the personal story that reshaped his leadership, the mentors who guided him and the people-first philosophy that defines one of Canada’s most respected clubs. Thoughtful, grounded and deeply human—this is leadership you feel as much as you hear. Listeners are invited to “walk the fairways” of The National Golf Club of Canada with Jo...

Walk the grounds of Grey Oaks with General Manager Don Emery as he shares a 41-year career shaped by curiosity, connection and a relentless drive to elevate the member experience. From clever service innovations to lessons born from COVID, Don’s stories reveal how great clubs, and great leaders, continually evolve. Discover why Grey Oaks is one of the most admired cultures in the industry. Listene...

In this Leadership Lens episode, General Manager Desi Speh invites listeners to step into the rhythm of life at Desert Highlands as he reflects on defining moments, honest challenges and the heart of what great leadership really looks like in today’s private clubs. • The early defining moments that shaped Desi’s philosophy— lessons from childhood, mentors, and those rare leaders who modeled humili...