Who's really trying to join your club? What secrets lie beneath that polished application and those glowing references? Dan Klimek from Kennis Member Vetting pulls back the curtain on what truly comprehensive member screening can reveal and the results might shock you. Traditional background checks barely scratch the surface. Regulated by employment laws, they're limited in scope and depth. But when vetting potential club members, these restrictions don't apply, allowing for investigations that ...
Aug 11, 2025•49 min
Buckle up for the most exhilarating professional development experience ever created for private club leaders! Management in Motion isn't your typical leadership seminar - it's what happens when you combine high-performance driving with transformative leadership insights at one of America's premier private racetracks. Picture yourself behind the wheel of a BMW M-series vehicle, mastering drag racing, precision driving challenges, and even drifting on the professional track at Monticello Motor Cl...
Aug 04, 2025•12 min
In this episode of Private Club Radio, we chat with Rollie Carlson, Managing Director of the Upper Midwest CMAA Chapter and a longtime leader in the private club industry. With a career spanning from senior-level retail marketing to general management at top clubs, Rollie brings a rare mix of operational insight, people-first leadership, and a deep passion for mentorship. We talk what makes a great club professional, not just in skills, but in mindset. Rollie shares lessons from his time with Am...
Jul 28, 2025•50 min
Nicole Wasserman isn't your typical club professional. At an age when most are still figuring out career basics, she's already compiled a resume that reads like a hospitality industry scavenger hunt—Augusta National, the Governor's Mansion, Hershey, Roaring Gap, wedding planner, and more. Now serving as Food and Beverage Manager at Daniel Island Club, Nicole brings a refreshingly grounded perspective on what it means to build a meaningful career in the private club world. Our conversation explor...
Jul 21, 2025•46 min
What if your club could serve as more than just a dining and recreation venue for aging members, but become a true lifeline of purpose and connection? Clubhouse Manager Kaitlyn Allen, CCM takes us on a fascinating journey through how her background in gerontology transformed her approach to hospitality at Long Cove Club. Starting with her teenage job at a retirement community, Kaitlyn discovered both the beauty of serving older adults and the ugly reality of elder abuse, initially setting her on...
Jul 14, 2025•1 hr 9 min
The ground is shifting beneath private golf clubs, and not everyone sees it coming. In this eye-opening conversation with Jason Becker, founder of Golf Life Navigators, we peel back the curtain on dramatic changes reshaping the private club landscape across the Sunbelt and beyond. Remember those endless waitlists and lightning-fast home sales in golf communities? That reality is fading fast. Home prices have dropped 10-15% in many golf communities while inventory has doubled or even tripled. Buy...
Jul 07, 2025•35 min
David Sweet’s journey from the luxury hotel world to the private club space is anything but typical—but his impact at Boca Woods shows what’s possible when a leader aligns people, purpose, and values. In this episode, David shares how Boca Woods has evolved by investing deeply in culture, communication, and brand—from the inside out. From forming a marketing dream team to reshaping how members engage with the club, this is a masterclass in modern leadership. We cover: How Boca Woods earned a nom...
Jun 30, 2025•50 min
Ever wondered why your club's racket department seems financially constrained? In this eye-opening episode, consultant and racket management expert Ed Shanaphy lifts the curtain on the numbers rarely discussed in polite club company. The financial anatomy of a racket department is more complex than most realize. Shanaphy reveals that nationally, racket departments typically receive just 3% of a club's overall revenue – translating to about $300,000 for a club generating $10 million. More critica...
Jun 28, 2025•46 min
What do private clubs and political campaigns have in common? Turns out… a lot more than you think. In this episode, Denny sits down with Charles “Chuck” Merriman, CCM. TRhe politically wired, quick-witted COO of San Diego Country Club whose journey from congressional campaign manager to club executive is anything but ordinary. Chuck shares how his deep roots in politics shaped his leadership style, how civic involvement helped reopen his club during COVID, and why every club leader should build...
Jun 16, 2025•59 min
Work Hard, Be Kind, Pour the Wine. Today’s guest is Velecia Luckenbill and trust me, you’re gonna love her. She’s the Director of Food & Beverage at Colonial Country Club, a certified sommelier, and one of the most vibrant, driven, and straight-up joyful humans in the private club world. But her journey? It’s anything but typical. Velecia came to the U.S. from Jamaica through an H-2B government work program. She left behind her young son, drove from Miami to Michigan, and landed in the middl...
Jun 09, 2025•32 min
This one’s got heart, hustle, and some serious longevity. I’m joined by Salil Bokil—GM of Hollywood Golf Club down the Jersey Shore. He’s been there 18 years, and somehow built a team where no one leaves. I’m talking a chef who’s been there 17 years… a controller who’s clocked in for over 36. It’s wild—but once you hear how he leads, it all makes sense. Salil walks us through his journey from India to the U.S., landing here just two weeks before 9/11, and how that moment shaped everything that c...
Jun 02, 2025•54 min
Jeff Wilson, veteran club pro and longtime GM, shares insights from decades in club leadership including extraordinary service moments, cultural development, and strategies for successful interim management. • Once jumped into a pond to retrieve a member's submerged golf cart and purse • Cleanliness is the first thing to check when walking into a new club – vents, picture frames, light bulbs • Member expectations have risen as clubs are now viewed as second homes • Boards must clearly define "wh...
May 26, 2025•41 min
What do bourbon, mentorship, and kitchen chaos have in common? Kevin Rice. In this episode, we chat with Kevin Rice— ormer chef, current GM of Lexington Country Club, and certified executive bourbon steward—to talk about leading with flavor. They dive into what it takes to train young staff (even when they can’t legally taste the wine), how bourbon tastings became a secret weapon for member engagement, and why the best leaders don’t bark orders—they teach. From redesigning kitchens to managing m...
May 19, 2025•34 min
You probably don’t plan for a fire in the supply closet. Heather Korte didn’t either. But when three stories of her clubhouse got soaked, smoked out, and stripped to the studs, she got to work. No panic. No pity. Just bold moves, creative thinking, and a serious amount of member love. Heather is the GM at Oakley Country Club, and this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to lead through crisis and come out better on the other side. 👇 Here's some of what we get into 🌎 W...
May 12, 2025•47 min
In this episode, we chat with Desi Speh, COO at Desert Highlands in Arizona. A guy who’s quietly redefining what club leadership can look like. Desi’s not the loudest voice in the room, but his impact is undeniable. From turning valet service into a culture-defining moment (ice cream cooler included 🍦) to mentoring staff into leaders, his philosophy is simple: lead from the heart, empower your people, and always keep perspective. In this conversation, you’ll learn: Why empowerment beats microma...
May 05, 2025•36 min
Forget everything you think you know about private clubs. At Monticello Motor Club, the luxury isn’t just on the track, it’s in every detail, every experience, every smile. And leading the charge is Ionel Porumb, a hospitality powerhouse whose journey from Romania to the C-suite is as inspiring as it gets. After working his way from cruise ship crew utility to management roles at Mar-A-Lago and Woodway Country Club, Ionel now serves as General Manager and COO of MMC, helping transform it into a ...
Apr 28, 2025•46 min
In this episode of the Private Club Radio Show , we roll up our sleeves and shine a spotlight on something most clubs think they’ve got handled—but probably don’t: what shows up when someone Googles your club . We walk you through a no-nonsense, step-by-step guide to auditing your club’s online presence. From Google to TikTok, Yelp to AI tools, we cover the platforms your prospective members, employees, and even the media are using to check you out—before they ever set foot on property. Here's w...
Apr 25, 2025•14 min
Kevin Ehlert shares his journey from dishwasher to GM to consultant and certified coach, bringing a refreshing perspective on what leadership really looks like when you strip away the title, pressure, and 'always on' mentality that many GMs feel they must maintain. • Starting as a dishwasher and working his way up through various city clubs • The distinct differences between mentoring, coaching, and consulting • Why leaders often feel isolated and unable to show vulnerability • How curiosity may...
Apr 21, 2025•47 min
Samantha Sheffield is not your average CFO. She’s also the Assistant GM at Bay Colony Golf Club—and the rare finance leader who’s just as comfortable talking about spreadsheets as she is member experience and strategic vision. In this episode, Samantha shares her winding career path—from biology major and calculus tutor to senior finance roles in real estate, global operations, and eventually private clubs. Along the way, she’s learned how to turn financials into a tool for leadership, not just ...
Apr 18, 2025•33 min
Joe Smith Is Back And He’s Still Setting the Bar for Club Communication Joe’s not just a friend of the show he’s one of the most forward-thinking GMs out there when it comes to content, connection, and culture. In this episode, Joe Smith of Countryside Golf & Country Club joins us again to share how his weekly club update videos have become more than just informative they’ve become a part of the club’s identity. What started as a workaround to a $10K drone quote has evolved into a creative e...
Apr 14, 2025•31 min
Golf pro. Road warrior. Culture shifter. GM. Rick Schultz has worn a lot of hats—and in this episode, he brings them all to the table. We explore Rick’s evolution from a 22-year-old tour hopeful to a private club GM overseeing a sprawling Oregon property with 27 holes, indoor tennis, pickleball, mini golf, and more. But his real focus? People and purpose. In this episode, we cover: – What makes the leap from pro shop to GM actually work – How a club re-centered its strategy around members—not lu...
Apr 11, 2025•47 min
From wiping down ballroom walls as a kid to leading a thriving club community in the Lowcountry—Eric Bischofberger’s journey has come full circle. In this episode, I sat down with Eric Bischofberger, CCM , General Manager & COO at Hampton Hall Club , to talk about what it’s really like to grow up around the private club world… and then choose to build a career in it yourself. We dive into what it means to follow in your father’s footsteps, not out of obligation but out of deep respect and pu...
Apr 07, 2025•39 min
When it comes to club communication, consistency, clarity, and connection aren’t just buzzwords—they’re the foundation of everything. In this episode, I’m joined by Melissa Hansen , Director of Membership & Marketing at The Club at Olde Cypress in Naples, FL. With a background in marketing, design consulting, and over a decade of experience in private clubs, Melissa knows how to build communication strategies that actually move the needle. We dive into: How to create messaging that reflects ...
Apr 04, 2025•46 min
his one’s a blast. Jenna Jardin is the kind of leader who’s juggling everything —membership, events, communications, and full-tilt programming—at one of the most active and unique private clubs in the country: Beacon Hill Club . There’s no golf and no downtime. Just a massive outdoor rink, hundreds hockey players, an iconic winter recital, curling nights, teen trips, family dinners, a beautiful club house and a member experience that runs year-round. Jenna joined the club in the middle of the pa...
Mar 31, 2025•38 min
What happens when the turnout is low, the plan isn’t working, and canceling the event feels like the easiest option? If you’re Chef Andrew Haapala , you pivot. You turn the dining room into a chef’s table. You bring the members into the kitchen. And you make it an experience they’ll never forget. In this episode, Andrew, Executive Chef at The Country Club of Virginia , shares how one slow night became an unexpected win—not just for the members, but for his team. We talk about: How creative think...
Mar 24, 2025•18 min
Most club professionals come from hospitality, golf, or business. Greg Surine’s path? A little more… creative. From radio host to live performer to working at Conan O’Brien, Greg has spent his entire career mastering the art of storytelling and audience engagement. Now, as Communications & Engagement Director at Shelter Harbor Golf Club, he’s bringing that same creative energy to private clubs helping shape brand identity, member engagement, and the overall club experience. In this episode, ...
Mar 17, 2025•47 min
Some clubs operate year-round. Others? They pack a full year’s worth of hospitality into just six months—and that’s exactly what happens at Cedar Creek Club, where Hannah Bradford helps lead the charge. Hannah didn’t take the traditional path into private clubs. With a background in sports science and hospitality, she found herself in membership services before taking a leap to join one of the most fast-paced, seasonal clubs in the industry. Cedar Creek isn’t just a club—it’s a tight-knit, summe...
Mar 10, 2025•36 min
When Rachel Brown stepped into her role as Membership & Marketing Director at Evansville Country Club, she was ready to hit the ground running. What she didn’t expect? The world shutting down two weeks later. Instead of waiting it out, Rachel and her team got creative—launching weekly videos, virtual content, and new ways to engage members even when they couldn’t be at the club. Fast forward to today, and she’s transformed how Evansville CC connects with its members, blending storytelling, d...
Mar 07, 2025•39 min
Some people are great chefs. Some are great leaders. Matt Gilbert is both . As the Executive Chef at Medinah Country Club, Matt isn’t just running one of the most well-known kitchens in private clubs—he’s leading a team, creating unforgettable dining experiences, and setting a new standard for club cuisine. But beyond the accolades, the high-pressure events, and the five-star menus, Matt is just a genuinely great person. He leads with humility, passion, and a deep respect for his team, knowing t...
Mar 03, 2025•44 min
This episode focuses on how emotional intelligence can redefine leadership within club management. Geoff Piva shares his personal journey and insights on navigating crises, the importance of mentorship, maintaining work-life balance, and leading with empathy. • Exploring the role of emotional intelligence in club management • Lessons learned during the COVID-19 crisis • Transforming Needham Golf Club through innovation and member engagement • The impact of mentorship on professional growth • Fin...
Feb 24, 2025•58 min
