You may have seen the social media trend where individuals are asked to try to identify different voices. We’ve seen it with supervisors, teachers, coaches, among others. And it’s now made it to the club industry. Melissa was recently catching up with members on LinkedIn and caught a cool take from Grace Mwirigi, CCM, the Assistant Manager at Northmoor Country Club in Highland Park, IL. Beyond creating the video, Grace turned this TikTok trend into a leadership lesson. We asked Grace to join us to talk about what she learned from this activity and her goals as a leader. Watch Grace’s take here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/grace-muchiri-ccm-rethinking-culture-through-strategic-poa9c/?trackingId=uqU0zch0ET9gtJFndVzPrA%3D%3D
Each summer, hospitality students have the opportunity to intern at some of the most impressive clubs around the country. We wanted to hear what that experience was like, so we invited Alexa Esquivel, a CMAA student member and intern at Houston Country Club, to the podcast to share more about her experience, what she learned, and her advice for future interns. We talked a lot about having courage and being brave enough to try new things, even when it’s outside of your comfort zone.
On July 4, HR 1, the 2025 tax legislation was signed into law. The measure features the extension of several expiring tax cuts passed in 2017 and new tax reductions including new federal tax exemptions for qualifying tip and overtime income. There’s a lot to unpack here for clubs. In this episode, we’re joined by Brad Steele, a longtime collaborator, to talk more about what this means for the club industry. We’ll explore what we know about these two impactful changes and learn what details remain to be released with further regulatory guidance.
In this episode, we sit down with Tyler Bloom and Rachel Ridgeway, SHRM-CP, of Bloom Golf Partners to discuss Bloom Golf’s 2025 Workforce Trends Study. Released earlier this year, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the current landscape, uncovering the expectations of workers in the golf industry, their views on career opportunities, and their thoughts on the key factors influencing their job satisfaction and retention. With a focus on both recruitment and workplace culture, this study offers valuable insights into how golf course leaders can adapt to the evolving workforce. Access the study here: https://bloomgolfpartners.com/research/
In June, GGA Partners and CMAA released the 2025 Club Leaders Perspective Report, a report that benchmarks operational data and examines current trends across a wide spectrum of private club facilities. On this episode of the podcast, we dive into that report and other research with Michael Gregory from GGA Partners. Access the full report on CMAA Connect: https://connect.cmaa.org/viewdocument/gga-partnerscmaa-club-leaders-per-1?CommunityKey=43e436dc-e513-4cc6-94b0-34a8e734968f&tab=librarydocuments
It’s never a bad time of year to take time to review your club’s policies and procedures. They are essential for managing effectively and making sound decisions for your members, employees, and volunteer board members. What are these policies and what are the best practices for implementation? Let’s find out! In this episode, we are diving into the article “Seven Essential Policies for Your Private Club in 2025”. We are excited to have all three authors from PKF O'Connor Davies with us today to dive into this important topic.
It is Hurricane season for our members on the Atlantic coast, running from June 1 to November 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts an above-normal 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. It’s the perfect time to talk about disaster preparedness specifically when it comes to communications. Marc Ray, MCM, CCE, CHAE, is an expert in this area and we are so glad to have the opportunity to tap into his knowledge today. His monograph, Hurricane Communications with Internal Audiences in Private Gated Communities, provides communication guidance outlining recommendations for general managers to use in the event of a hurricane and addresses communication before and after a hurricane event. You can read Marc’s monograph here: https://connect.cmaa.org/browse/mcmdocs Advocate for the PAR Act: www.clubindustryvotes.org
We are thrilled to welcome back to our podcast, our favorite cyber security experts at Pulsar Security, a CMAA Alliance Partner, for answers to our questions. Pulsar Security is a cybersecurity company whose mission extends to protect clubs and their members against malicious attacks. The company is a Veteran, privately owned business built on vision and trust, whose leadership has extensive military experience enabling it to think strategically and plan beyond the problems at hand. We are excited to welcome back the CEO and Founder of Pulsar Security, Patrick Hynds and Chief Technology Officer Duane Laflotte.
In this episode, we’re joined by our 2025 Shark Tank competition winners: Molly Passow and Katherine Foerg from Niagara University. Their entry, Schedule Genie, uses Artificial Intelligence to assist in schedule coordination and management. You can view their whole presentation at World Conference (along with the other finalists’ presentations) on CMAA’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYkor-0fuvM
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 experiences at your clubs. Books mentioned in this episode: Cote D’Or: A Celebration of the Great Wines of Burgundy - https://www.amazon.com/C%C3%B4te-DOr-Celebration-Great-Burgundy/dp/0520212517 Wine Folly: Magnum Edition The Master Guide - https://www.amazon.com/Wine-Folly-Magnum-Master-Guide/dp/0525533893/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KV1ARYX2C6NN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9d7RyDqPXlj2z0Q_iQW2Vdt7ahnF0kc-8huvyOgs0M0JPFbZg0p74ub_YZ7BrghgbY3ty4w6NVpY6o4tyFd60j0qwoVPgDe6qxCdAkgpvbWR6-LtcZF3WJCyPgjwfn1sGDVLVE_8OpTj51T6DihAsft8anBRN75ijbbJVzd739ofDtydJ8immmy7MKhoIBJsI0x0SRE2x6M8f6SbhjVEekvB6mkeRl_CqpQ-KgVTkmY.yTzgZWoi-RHg1-6PrH6bi5YwnYIwBU3fbFSDzcgdNJ0&dib_tag=se&keywords=Wine+Folly&qid=1745933051&s=books&sprefix=wine+folly%2Cstripbooks%2C316&sr=1-1 Windows on the World - https://a.co/d/6KNCwsA
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 the questions she asked and the results that she found. Read the article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278431924002834
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 most desirous one is helping people become the best versions of themselves through fun and entertainment. See Gary at World Conference on Thursday, February 6, at 1:00 p.m. for Improv Your Influence: Fun and Effective Communication Strategies for Club Managers.
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 Mountain in Scottsdale, where she appraised over 600 works of art and continues overseeing collection management. See her at World Conference on Thursday, February 6, at 4:00 p.m.
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 authenticity of the discussion. Over the past three years, he has been on a journey of self-awareness and discovery that has led him to be a better leader, parent, and person leading through empathy and love and he joins us on the podcast to share more about that journey.
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 path to her chapter colleagues and CMAA for the amazing education she received and the invaluable networking it afforded her. She is and has been for many years, the Treasurer and Managing Director for the Central PA Chapter of CMAA. She is also a past President. She looks forward to many more years in the industry and is thankful for the opportunities she has been given and we were happy to get to hear from her.
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. What should you be seeking in a great financial partner? In this episode, we’re joined by Michelle Riklan, ACRW, CPRW, CEIC, CJSS of KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE and Philip Newman of RSM. These two cover what the key capabilities and expectations are for someone in the role of a Head Finance Leader at a club and really dive in to what characteristics one should be looking for when hiring a CFO.
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 construction project cost estimating, budgeting, contracting, and taking the project across the finish line. He really emphasizes the importance of having the right people on the bus to accomplish the many tasks involved with a successful project, and also reminds us that pizza is a great motivator. The CMAA Capital Improvements Handbook serves as a comprehensive guide for club decision-makers embarking on capital improvement projects. By adopting a strategic and collaborative approach, engaging stakeholders, ensuring robust financial planning, and adhering to regulatory requirements, clubs can successfully navigate the complexities of capital improvements. This is the final interview in our series of podcasts bringing this content to life.
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. Get to know Matt in this episode!