Let's Talk Club Management

The world of wine is constantly evolving, and staying updated with the latest trends is essential for enthusiasts and professionals alike. In this episode, we welcome back to the podcast Sam Lindsley and Chris DeChillo from Kopplin Kuebler and Wallace. Sam and Chris each have extensive experience in food and beverage and bring their perspectives to how you can enhance your members’ wine experience...

On this episode, we are thrilled to be talking to the researcher behind a study published in the International Journal of Hospitality Management in January. The study focused on measuring the relationship benefits of membership in a private club. Milly Njeri Ph. D., Assistant Professor at the Dedman College of Hospitality at Florida State University, joined us to dive into her research and explore...

On this episode, we are thrilled to talk to CMAA’s 2025 Chair Richard LaRocca, CCM, CCE. He shares his family history in clubs and hospitality, as well as his plans for the year and what’s most important to him. Learn more about Richard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCR5y-RIZ_s View Richard’s acceptance speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1303Zc470I

It’s that time again! The 2025 World Conference is just around the corner and in this episode, we’re chatting with our team members about events and networking, student activities, education, supporting The Club Foundation, and the Club Business Expo. Kyle and Melissa will take you through the important things you need to know for the week, and they pick up some guest hosts along the way.

On this episode, we are thrilled to be featuring another one of our upcoming World Conference speakers, Gary Ware, Play Consultant. Gary is a creative yet strategic Play Consultant that was brought here to make your life even better than it already is. By day, Gary helps companies and professionals level up their skills, and by night he is an improv comedian. In between all of Gary’s passions, his...

In this episode, we sit down with Conference speaker Katherine Thatcher to preview her session “The Art of Collecting and Protecting Your Collection”. Katherine is a professional art consultant providing collection asset management services to individuals, corporations, non-profits and museums. She has done appraisal work for renowned clubs such as the Olympic Club in San Francisco and Desert Moun...

Each year, we like to wrap up the podcast by talking to a CMAA member about their wins for the year. On this episode, we are excited to be talking to Geoff Piva, CCM, General Manager/COO at Needham Golf Club in Needham, MA. Geoff started a podcast this year called The Club Manager Journal. Melissa first got served the podcast via suggested title in her listening and was instantly struck by the aut...

Each year, we like to wrap up the podcast by talking to a CMAA member about their wins for the year. In this episode, we sat down with Jennifer Mang, CCM, CCE, General Manager at Wyoming Valley Country Club. Jennifer share with us her unique career path full of steps both backwards and forwards, ultimately landing here where she is now. Jennifer loves the club industry and credits her successful p...

Based on the 2024 World Conference session, “Desperate to be Micro-Managed by Your Treasurer? Don’t Hire a True CFO” – Controller, Director of Finance, Chief Financial Officer – these labels all describe the head of finance in a club. What capabilities should be expected in the person managing finance and accounting in a club? It requires finance skills, business acumen, and executive presence. Wh...

Our guest on this episode is Todd Bruen, the Director of Facilities & Construction, at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, AZ. Todd has been with the club since 2012, and has an extensive background in design and construction. He is a graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Construction Engineering and Management. Todd joins us to discuss the Capital Improvements Handbook, specifically co...

On this episode, we are thrilled to be talking to the 2024 Club Executive of the Year, Matt Lambert, CCM, CCE, CAM. In November, Club Management magazine named Matt Lambert the 2024 Club Executive of the Year. He currently serves as the General Manager/Chief Operating Officer of The Country Club at Mirasol in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lambert has more than 24 years of experience in the club industry...

In this episode, we’re joined by Julie Brown, CCM, CPA. We dive in Chapters Two, Three, and Four of the CMAA Capital Improvements Handbook, a comprehensive guide designed to help club decision-makers confidently manage capital improvement projects. This episode is the second in our series of podcasts bringing this content to life, diving into the financing options and feasibility aspects of capita...

In this episode, we sit down with Vache Hagopian, the Chief Revenue Officer at Jonas Club Software, a CMAA Strategic Partner. Vache has extensive experience in the private club software industry and during this conversation we cover his history in CMAA’s Business Management Institute as well as his recent appointment to The Club Foundation Board of Governors for a three-year term through 2027. In...

On this episode of the podcast, we're sharing CMAA CEO Jeff Morgan's State of the Association speech from the 2024 Leadership/Legislative Conference. This speech offers a snapshot of where CMAA is now, how the last year has gone, and what we're looking to in the future.

In this episode, we’re joined by CMAA National Director Joe Krenn, CCM, CCE, General Manager/CEO at Farmington Country Club. We dive into the CMAA Capital Improvements Handbook, a comprehensive guide designed to help club decision-makers confidently manage capital improvement projects. Whether it’s a new renovation or a major facility upgrade, capital improvements require a strategic and collabora...

In this episode, we sat down with members of the P10 (Power of Ten) Mastermind group. These individuals hail from all over the country and have been together as a networking group for nearly twenty years. In this conversation, we cover everything—from how and why this group came together, to how someone looking for their own mastermind group could go about creating one. The evolution of this group...

In this episode, we sat down with Casey Newman, CCM, the General Manager/COO at Lakeside Country Club, and Alexandria LaRocca, Director of Member Engagement at Beach Point Club. Casey and Alexandria are both members of the Mid-Manager Task Force and they joined us to talk about the Task Force, the challenges faced by mid-managers, and the Mid-Manager Power Hour calls. Finally, we discuss the futur...

In this episode, we had the opportunity to chat with Erin Schlegel, CCM, the Youth and Activities Director at Myers Park Country Club, and Rachel Richardson, one of Myers Park’s summer interns. Erin and Rachel joined us to talk about the internship experience at Myers Park as well as how that has been adjusted and tweaked to conform to CMAA’s Verified Internship Program criteria. Erin shares some...

In this episode, we’re checking in with John Gravett, CCM, CCE, Chief Executive Officer at the Granite Club in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. John was the winner of the Most Innovative Award at the 2024 Idea Fair for his submission in the Membership Development category. John joined us to share more about the Club’s Junior Member Orientation program and the success it has seen. You can find this and ot...

In this episode, we’re joined by Dave Barton, PGA, the Executive Director of the National Alliance for Accessible Golf, and Jan Bel Jan, golf course and landscape architect and a member of the Alliance Executive Board. We dive in to a conversation surrounding what the National Alliance for Accessible Golf is, what the organization aims to do, and how clubs and courses can begin to make their space...

For many clubs, the season is rolling. In this episode of the podcast, we’re joined by Sam Lindsley, Search & Consulting Executive, and Chris DeChillo, Hospitality Trainer & Leadership Coach with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE. Sam and Chris discuss what club management professionals should do to establish and maintain service excellence year-round and what the keys are to cultivating a team that is pa...

In this episode, we’re checking in with Bri Brookins, Assistant General Manager at Detroit Athletic Club in Detroit, MI. Bri was the winner of the Showstopper Award at the 2024 Idea Fair for her submission in the Breakthrough Ideas category. Bri joined us to share more about the Gratitude Booth and the wild success it has seen. You can find this and other entries from the 2024 Idea Fair online: ht...

In this episode, we’re checking in with Jeffrey Blais, CCM, CCE, CEO and GM at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club in Highlands, NC. Jeffrey was the winner of the Chairman's Award at the 2024 Idea Fair for his submission in the Staff Management and Incentives category. Jeffrey joined us to share more about his idea, a Staff Support Fund Raffle. You can find this and other entries from the 2024 Idea Fair o...

On this episode of the podcast, we're sharing CMAA CEO Jeff Morgan's State of the Association speech from the 2024 World Conference and Club Business Expo. This speech offers a snapshot of where CMAA is now, how the last year has gone, and what we're looking to in the future. Read the 2023 Annual Report (https://www.cmaa.org/media/huklmu31/cmaa2023annualreport.pdf) and the 2024-2028 Strategic Plan...

In this episode of the podcast, we’re excited to sit down and get to know Joe Mendez, CCM, CCE. Joe is CMAA’s 2024 Chairman and has so many great insights to share with our listeners. Learn more about his path to becoming a club management professional and industry leader as well as some of the more humbling moments he encountered along the way. Don’t forget to register for upcoming events: Capita...