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!

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