What happens when you throw over 30 club professionals into BMW M cars and let them rip around a professional racetrack? Pure magic—and unexpected leadership lessons that no conference room could ever provide. Management in M...
Ever feel like you are not good enough, even when you are? In this episode, GM Kent Johnson opens up about his personal experience with imposter syndrome as a leader in the private club world. We talk honestly about the voice of self-doubt that can show up even after years of success, and what it r…
How do you go from college intern to banquet manager before 30 — and actually lead with confidence? In this episode of Private Club Radio, we’re joined by Mikayla Luby, a rising star in the private club industry, who shares her journey from hospitality student to full-time banquet manager at a majo…
Ever wondered what it’s like to run a private club that functions more like a municipality than a clubhouse? In this episode, GM Joe Smith takes us deep into the world of Florida HOAs where leadership isn’t just about member...
What happens when chandeliers, mahogany bars, and 150 years of tradition collide with TikTok and influencers? That’s the story unfolding at The Austin Club under the leadership of Paul Kornfeind, MCM, CCE. In this episode of ...
Want a packed room and zero complaints after comedy night? Learn how to: Book talent your members actually loveAvoid the AV pitfalls that kill energySet expectations that save your inboxBudget for the headline act, not just the dinner Comedy night should be a club highlight, not a source of member …
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…
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 d...
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 marke...
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 servi…
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 thr...
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 t...
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 s...
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…
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 execu…
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, d...
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 …
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 int...
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 w…
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 th…
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 tur...
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 …
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 th...
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' mentalit...