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!

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 capital 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.

Access the Capital Improvements Handbook on CMAA Connect

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 this conversation we cover everything from mobile technology such as apps and tableside ordering to the feedback loop toward consistent improvement. Listen for more about what Jonas is doing to advance technology in clubs!

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 collaborative approach to ensure success. We’ll explore how clubs can engage key stakeholders, establish solid financial plans, and comply with regulatory requirements to avoid common pitfalls such as poor leadership, unanticipated costs, and inexperienced project management.

Access the Handbook: https://connect.cmaa.org/viewdocument/cmaa-capital-improvements-handbook-1?CommunityKey=43e436dc-e513-4cc6-94b0-34a8e734968f&tab=librarydocuments

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 was evident in the conversation, and listeners will be sure to glean some important morsels.

Joining us:

Skip Avery, CCM, CCE

Three Carpenter, CCM

Rick Coyne

Dick Kopplin

Kevin MacDonald

Kim Pasquale

Jill Philmon, CCM, CCE

Steve Tyink

Take a listen to the P10 playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5nYl8dXSe9ssURITcCA3E2?si=dsA0YiGDQTmqSyyxdVbqoA&pi=u-8mlP2j6wT0WU

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 future plans for the Task Force and how we envision it evolving to continue supporting the development of future leaders in the club industry.