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Intangible Professional Development

Intangible Professional Development

When it comes to professional development, one of the most important aspects often gets overlooked, relationship-led development. Most professionals consider professional development to be a course where you gain a certification or achieve a financial milestone. However, the ‘human’ qualities that make you not just good, but exceptional, are often left behind as success is harder to measure. Here, we will discuss why relationship-led development, such as Emotional Intelligence (EQ), Mentoring, Communication, Integrity, and Leadership are so vital in shaping who you are professionally.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is like your secret weapon in navigating the workplace. It’s about understanding yourself, managing your emotions, and connecting with others. Did you know that a whopping 85% of professional success comes down to how well you handle people? EQ isn’t just about being nice; it’s about being savvy in the way you interact, adapt, and build relationships.

Mentoring is like having a trusted guide on your career journey. It’s someone who’s been there, done that, and is willing to share their wisdom with you. A mentor doesn’t just teach you skills; they help you grow personally, gain confidence, and expand your professional network. It’s a relationship that’s all about learning and support.

Communication is the heartbeat of any workplace. It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it and how well you listen. Good communication fosters understanding, resolves conflicts, and fuels creativity. When you can express yourself clearly and connect with others authentically, you’re unstoppable. Adapting your communication style to other personality types helps foster a health working culture.

Integrity is your moral compass in the professional world. It’s about doing the right thing, even when no one’s watching. Integrity builds trust and respect, which are essential for lasting relationships and success. When you stand by your principles and act with honesty and transparency, you earn credibility that money can’t buy.

Leadership isn’t just for those with executive titles; it’s for anyone who wants to make a difference. True leadership is about inspiring others, being accountable, and bringing out the best in people. It’s not about ordering others around; it’s about empowering them to shine and achieve their potential.

In a nutshell, while technical skills are crucial, it’s the intangible qualities that truly set you apart. So, nurture your Emotional Intelligence, seek out mentors, hone your communication skills, uphold your integrity, and lead with purpose. These are the qualities that will not only make you successful but also fulfilled in your professional journey.

Michael Herd is an International Consultant and Search Executive with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, a consulting firm providing executive search, strategic planning and data analysis services to the private club and hospitality industries. Michael can be reached at +44 (0) 7903 035312 and at michael@kkandw.com.

Intangible Professional Development2024-03-29T19:37:22+00:00

Bethany Taylor

Bethany Taylor

Support & Development Specialist

Bethany Taylor joins KK&W with experience in the hospitality industry including luxury leader Four Seasons hotels and resorts, historical hotels, and high-end country clubs. As a Support & Development Specialist, Bethany possesses the skills and experience necessary to navigate and support the unique needs of clients and candidates. Her connectivity to the club and hospitality industries in addition to her passion for continuous improvement, learning, and building amazing teams ensures that she will extend great customer service and guidance.

Email: bethany@kkandw.com

Phone: 603-682-7404

LinkedIn

Bethany Taylor2023-09-28T13:12:48+00:00

The Key to High-Performance Boards

Clubs known for their good governance and overall success have one thing in common: a great board orientation. A common complaint heard during club visits by KK&W is that board members feel they could have been better prepared for their role on the board. The perfect opportunity to start board members off on the right foot, set them up for success, and foster greater efficiency is by holding a mandatory board orientation at the beginning of a new board’s term.

Board orientation is a one-time annual event that explains responsibilities, goals, expectations, and sets the stage for constant learning and education throughout the year ahead. To create a high-functioning board of directors, a comprehensive board orientation must occur.

Remember the last time you were a “fresher” or first-timer at anything where there is already a group in place that you were then joining? No matter how long someone might have been a member of the club, becoming a board member is not something to be taken lightly. Shortening the learning curve through a well-organised orientation allows them to become positive contributors more quickly, and feeling comfortable doing so benefits all involved.

The ingredients for a successful board orientation include the necessary time and commitment to do it right. At a minimum, a board orientation should be a one-day event, where all board members (new and existing) are required to attend. Mandatory attendance is critical, and the involvement of returning board members is equally important to help convey the dynamics of how business is done and to help reassure new board members of the desire for a fully participative board.

There is a lot of information to include, and an organised and detailed approach is the key to getting board members quickly up to speed. Proper education and perspective are important as board members must understand that clubs are a different kind of operation and therefore, they are often run differently than most of their own personal businesses. The highest-performing clubs also take reflecting on how they are doing as a board very seriously. They make it a priority to objectively assess themselves through an anonymous board self-evaluation process, to understand how they are performing with respect to connectivity to the membership, strategic direction, board structure and process, and the board’s relationship with the club manager.

KEY ELEMENTS OF AN ORIENTATION

Orientation should start off with a welcome and overview of the day by the general manager and club president. Then the general manager leads the group through an explanation of the club mission statement, club organisational structure, overview/background of the club, and the roles and responsibilities of the board, management team, and committees.

Responsibility Matrix – One of the most important elements in board orientation, the responsibility matrix, is essential for board members to understand their roles, responsibilities, and how they connect to the overall organisation. This is crucial for creating board members who are productive and confident. The responsibility matrix details who is responsible for what, thus creating the foundation for a high-functioning board. When managers “manage” and directors “direct” or governors “govern,” that is when we see clubs operate efficiently.

Governance Documents – The general manager should walk through the details of club governance by explaining the following: committee responsibilities and charters, the role of the committee chair, board member code of conduct, recently amended bylaws, member grievance flow chart, nominating committee description and responsibilities, member conduct and disciplinary actions, and any other documents pertinent to the club’s governance and policy manual. Include core values and guiding principles that are the foundation of how the club operates and ultimately makes decisions. It’s important to explain how the club functions to help board members understand their role on a deeper level. During this section, it is also wise to present supporting industry publications, articles, and other outside sources to help validate your explanation of club governance and provide other opportunities for further education.

Responsibility_Matrix

Strategic Plan – It is also crucial to offer an overview of the history of how the multi-year, rolling strategic plan has been developed and guides annual goals and objectives for the entire club, including committees. Articulating the primary focus of the boards from past years helps to maintain clarity of purpose and provide a scorecard of success. It is a best practice for the outgoing board to set goals and objectives for the incoming board and committees.

Finances – Including a review of the budget, budgeting process, and overall financial status of the club is beneficial. This portion may be conducted by the chief financial officer and should include a description of what it means to be a truly private club and how it impacts tax-exempt status (if applicable). Detail legal issues pertinent to the club and review any other local or industry issues that are specific to your club. It’s also important to emphasise and remind board members of the high level of fiduciary responsibility they have both legally and morally.

Membership – Have the membership director provide an overview of the membership process, how member recruitment works, an update on the club’s membership status/growth, membership pricing philosophies, and any member recognition efforts. This is also a great time to remind board members that member recruitment is part of their responsibility as well.

Club Organisation Chart – Another key element in board orientation is having the general manager walk through the organisational structure, main positions, and their backgrounds/previous experience, any human resources initiatives, employee handbook updates, scholarship programs, internship programs, and any other pertinent staff issues or information that would be beneficial for board members to know. High-performing clubs allocate half a day to building trust and confidence between the board and key department heads. Staff leadership should be encouraged to share their professional background and unique capabilities, club tenure, the details of their role, the number of people within their team, the level of interaction the board can expect, and interesting facts about their department.

Club Tour – This also presents a great time for a detailed tour of the club property—both front and back of house. Have each department head stationed in their area and allow him or her to show board members around, introduce essential employees, discuss the department layout and overall operations. Consider adding unique ways to provide information on the tour. For example, consider parking several high-dollar pieces of equipment in a visible location during the golf course/grounds building tour. Include a “price tag” on each piece of equipment so board members can see just how much one mower may cost. The same may be helpful with equipment in the kitchen. Give department heads the opportunity to answer questions and showcase their recent achievements. This is a great way to build rapport with department heads and recognize their contributions to the success of the operation.

Goal Setting – Dedicate time to discussing goal setting, which is essential for a high-performing board. This is a great opportunity to correlate the board’s own self-evaluation results from the outgoing board responses with the goals presented and design a focused action plan for the coming year.
Meetings – Include a review of how board time should be spent by giving them an agenda. This can help them to understand the significance of their impact on strategic vs. operational issues. Below are the three key areas of focus for boards to channel their influence:

  • Fiduciary – Board actions that involve annual accounts, budget directives and initiatives, auditors’ reports, planning and committee review.
  • Talent – Measuring and acting on talent reviews, setting talent objectives for the year, reviewing top management, and utilising a club engagement survey.
  • Decision – Focus on decision-making for budgets, investments, and nominations, while approving a yearly business plan utilising a balance scorecard approach.

Plan appropriate breaks, meals, and allow time for questions and answers as you go along. The key to a successful board orientation is engaging board members, keeping things light and informational, and not getting too mired in details. Review pertinent topics and then provide resources or hard copies for a more in-depth analysis on an individual basis. Allow time for questions, discussion, and bonding between board members and department heads in order to further build confidence, trust, and focus on results.

Contributed by Richard M. Kopplin, Kurt D. Kuebler, CCM & Thomas B. Wallace III, CCM, CCE, ECM
Partners at KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE

CLUB TRENDS – Summer 2021

Board-Orientation-Checklist-2
The Key to High-Performance Boards2023-08-08T18:26:37+00:00

Search Process

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Our Process

We are working for you before you have even partnered with us. Your private club will benefit from our deep roots, long-standing partnerships, connectivity to the trenches of private clubs, and the growing expertise of our team. We are working in private clubs almost daily, touring, listening, and learning. Expanding our database is ongoing through event participation, speaking engagements, digital platforms, and other well-qualified sources. We make consistent investments in our infrastructure resulting in a process that is recognized as the private club industry benchmark in executive search.

Cultivating Talent Sources

Our connectivity to candidates is at the heart of what we do. We are heavily invested in developing rapport with professional leaders, mentoring emerging talent, and looking for new opportunities to grow our network.

The connections of our search executives run far and wide, providing us outstanding relationships with club managers and other relevant industry professionals. We dedicate a tremendous amount of time to speaking and education platforms strengthening credibility and brand awareness with prospective candidates.

Qualified candidates are vetted through private investigators that work with our firm to complete a robust background check. Additionally, final candidates take personality, skills and behavioral assessments designed to evaluate competencies in key areas of club leadership as well as other proficiencies.

We are transparent with current and past clients on our policy for working with candidates we have previously placed.

Due-Diligence & Awareness

We facilitate a comprehensive intake of information and assess the needs, priorities, expectations, and aspirations of all stakeholders. We devote time and expertise to understanding your private club and have vested interest in ensuring the right “fit” for your culture and membership experience.

Our partners and search executives have extensive backgrounds in hospitality management and operations at recognizable properties across the country. They are familiar with high performance standards and expectations having held many of the duties and responsibilities they are recruiting candidates for themselves.

Our unique awareness will guide you in making the right hiring decision and avoid unnecessary turnover, which can be devastating not only in real dollars, but also in the loss of employee morale and member support.

Our searches are recognized and respected for their professionalism by both candidates and clients.

“Just a quick note to let you know how impressed I remain to be with the people you have opted to serve as your partners/colleagues at KK&W. As you know, I have interacted with several of your colleagues over the years and everyone is a consummate professional, supportive, authentic and accomplished…..EVERYONE. I know a thing or two about how to build a company and getting people to fire on all four cylinders and to espouse a company’s tenets and philosophy is not easy, but you are succeeding.”

Candidate Feedback

Leading Minds. Latest Insights.

When it comes to professional development, one of the most important aspects often gets overlooked, relationship-led development. Most professionals consider professional development to be [...]

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The racquets industry will continue with massive growth in 2024 so clubs will want to ensure their racquet professionals and programs continue to evolve [...]

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Search Process2023-07-31T16:10:22+00:00

KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE Renews CMAA Partnership

CMAA-Partnership-Renewal

KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, a leading club industry recruiting and consulting firm, has renewed its partnership with CMAA through December 2023.

Alexandria, VA—November 30, 2022—KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, a leading club industry recruiting and consulting firm, has renewed its partnership with the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) through December 2023. KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE (KKW) has been a long-time corporate sponsor and educational partner.

CMAA’s Partnership Network provides opportunities to companies looking for deeper engagement with CMAA and its members. Through the sharing of knowledge, resources, expertise, and common goals for the future of the industry, these partnerships play a key role in fulfilling CMAA’s mission.

CMAA’s President & CEO Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE, explains “We are excited to continue to work with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE and extend the depth of their expertise to the CMAA membership and their club boards.”

As a Business Partner, KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE will continue to be the official sponsor of the Club Leadership Summits which they helped to develop. To date, Principals Richard Kopplin, Kurt D. Kuebler, CCM, and Thomas B. Wallace III, CCM, CCE, ECM, have shared their expertise with more than 360 club management professionals and club board members through these in-person and virtual Summits, helping to create a better-educated club industry.

“Dick Kopplin, Kurt Kuebler, and I are honored to have again renewed our partnership with CMAA to continue building on a foundation laid almost 30 years ago. The pillars of CMAA that support professionalism, education, and leadership align seamlessly with KK&W. We look forward to our continued partnership and opportunities to educate on leadership, governance, and best practices. 2023 is sure to be another banner year for CMAA,” shared KK&W Partner Tom Wallace.

Further, KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE supported the virtual 2022 Mid-Management Conference, held October 24-25, and will collaborate on the Let’s Talk Club Management podcast and Club Management magazine, featuring career development advice and perspective. Past contributions include:

Bringing Diversity Into The Club
Navigating Career Moves

About CMAA

Founded in 1927, the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) is the largest professional association for managers of membership clubs with more than 7,000 members throughout the US and internationally. Our members contribute to the success of more than 2,500 country, golf, athletic, city, faculty, military, town, and yacht clubs. The objectives of the Association are to promote relationships between club management professionals and other similar professions; to encourage the education and advancement of members; and to provide the resources needed for efficient and successful club operations. Under the covenants of professionalism, education, leadership, and community, CMAA continues to extend its reach as the leader in the club management practice. CMAA is headquartered in Alexandria, VA, with 42 professional chapters and more than 40 student chapters and colonies. Learn more at cmaa.org.

About KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE

People Focused & Quality Driven. When you work with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, you can expect an experience that will be centered around the well-being of their clients, the candidates they place, and the industry as a whole. Their process has been fine-tuned for 26 years and involves merging more than 500 years of combined expertise with a comprehensive understanding of stakeholders’ needs. They are an award-winning executive search and consulting firm and a trusted partner dedicated to the success of the organizations they work with. Executive search expertise includes: GM/COO, CEO, Assistant General Manager/Clubhouse Manager, Director of Food and Beverage, Executive Chef, Director of Golf/Head Golf Professional, Golf Course Superintendent/Director of Agronomy, Director of Tennis/Director of Racquets, Fitness & Wellness Director, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Finance, Controller, Human Resources Director, Membership and Marketing Director Searches, and Consulting Services for Private, Resort and Developer Owned Properties, Clubs and Communities as well as Senior Living Communities and Property Owners Associations. For more information, visit kkandw.com.

KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE Renews CMAA Partnership2022-11-30T18:37:14+00:00

Food & Beverage Training

The people and teams we celebrate as “The Best” will tell you how hard they worked to achieve that status….They will tell you how they trained Every. Single. Day.

KK&W provides Food & Beverage training that focuses on the fundamentals, product knowledge, describing menu offerings, pairings, crafting a spiel, making recommendations, steps of service “do’s and don’ts,” emotional skills, habits, accountability and how to deliver exceptional service at a luxury level in line with today’s high guest expectations.

The core of our programming is growing passion and confidence. Our interactive workshops involve storytelling, sharing experiences, role playing, situational awareness and more. We connect your team to the experiences they are delivering by helping them enjoy the processes and products your club is extending to the membership.

When we train, we work with your employees and leaders to plant seeds of genuine interest for Food & Beverage. We create the foundation of knowledge, then work with you to build systems, habits and tools by which excellence grows daily within your food and beverage operations.

“I think what sets me and my programs apart is my passion for training. I find I can relate to the teams I work with because I practice what I preach and share relevant stories – both wins and losses. To be the best at anything you have to train every day, and thankfully, I am able to achieve that through my industry projects, partnerships and friendships.”

Annette Whittley, Consultant and Search Executive

Private Club Food & Beverage Training & Consulting Services

We recognize that a firm commitment to talking, tasting, and experiencing steps of service and F&B daily is at the heart of what your organization will achieve.

The education we have crafted at KK&W grows passion and confidence through training. Our interactive workshops involve storytelling, sharing experiences, role playing, situational awareness and more.

We connect your team to the experiences they are delivering by helping them enjoy the processes and products your club is extending to the membership.

Learn More

By investing in this  opportunity, successful country club leaders and their teams will have a plan in place to execute their opening or re-opening to perfection.  After investing in a capital improvement project expectations will be at their highest. Through our consultation and training your organization will be supported in planning, communicating and preparing for a successful restaurant launch.

The expertise of Annette Whittley and our trusted partners, who have opened or reopened dozens of food and beverage operations throughout their careers, look forward to ensuring a smooth and memorable opening or re-opening for your private club dining outlet(s).

Learn More

You simply do not achieve excellence without training. The organizations that are recognized for service excellence in hospitality build training into their days, weeks, months, and years. We will help you create a culture of learning and development excellence at your private club. The offerings below are available online and in person, and are customizable to your organization and culture. Our goal is to build a foundation that will allow you to achieve EXCELLENCE daily with your teams.

Á La Carte Training Menu

Designed for Department Heads, Managers and Staff Teams – Full or Half-Day Customizable Programs are available

Refresh your training, your standards and your hospitality skills through this interactive workshop.  Whether you have a seasoned team, or brand-new interns, this program covers the fundamentals of hospitality excellence. Topics include service, teamwork, listening, problem solving, handling complaints, and how to do this with grace and a hospitality heart.

Expected Outcome:

Provide front-line teams with a foundational working toolkit of skills to deliver natural, engaging hospitality to private club members and their guests. This day is an excellent refresher for seasoned professionals and a must attend for all new team members.

Target Program Participants – Member Facing Employees:

  • Concierge
  • Fitness & Wellness
  • Food & Beverage
  • Golf Operations
  • Greeters (include security, front desk, etc.)
  • Racquets Operations
  • Valet
  • Housekeeping
  • Grounds
Learn More

Chef Mentorship / Chef Development

In the current labor market mentoring for success versus replacement may be a solution if the chef is liked by the members and has the willingness to learn. In this program Chef Ed serves as role model, teacher, counselor, advisor, sponsor, advocate, and ally. Specific goals, objectives, and timelines will be negotiated with the Club Manager and/or Board. Arrangements can also be made for the club to send their Chef to spend a week with Chef Ed for enhanced learning and witnessing “Culinary Pride®” in action.

Team Building

Culinary programming for both FOH & Culinary teams, organized cooking competitions that group teams of two or three people to cook together and produce a three-course meal. All templates and guidelines will be provided.  Chef Ed will serve as lead judge along with additional representatives from the board, committees or club management.

“Make It On The Menu” Competition

Facilitated by Chef Ed, culinary team members compete to develop a dish. Winning dishes make it on the menu with name recognition such as “Dave’s Fish Tacos,” giving team members a sense of pride.  This opportunity also results in club members getting to know more of the culinary staff and enhances their food and beverage experience.

Consulting & Coaching Programs

The following services are designed to increase operational performance, brand consistency, and support a culture of excellence. Hands on training can also be incorporated.

  • Site visit and objective assessment measured against Chef Ed’s “Culinary Pride® program as the benchmark.
  • Assessment of the perception of Club Management, Board and Committees, and Members regarding satisfaction and goals of the culinary program.
  • Assessment of team performance and quality standards in all areas of the culinary operation from kitchen equipment, working habits, sanitation, food preparations, processes & methodology used in daily preparation, quality of finished product and over all culture.
  • Opportunities assessment advising key leaders on action plans, equipment investments, training needs and areas of focus necessary to raise the bar and benchmark the culinary program.
  • Coaching the key chefs on what is needed to build a receptive culture that fosters pride and excellence.
  • Planning and prioritizing goals and strategies resulting in improved culture and member satisfaction within the culinary program.
  • Regular accountability check-ins and communications with key leaders to ensure commitment and progress.

Training and Motivation
Building A Culture Of Culinary Excellence & Creating The Member Experience Through Food

Chef Ed’s renowned “Culinary Pride®” program will inspire, create food for thought, and energize the F&B team.

Participants will experience “Culinary Pride®” through classroom style education, touring the property, and networking together. Takeaways include implementation tactics, team leadership and engagement best practices, a license to use the “Culinary Pride®” logo and more.

This program is customizable through conversations that define goals and priorities in advance of the live training.

Guest Chef Visit for A Wine Dinner or Special Pop-Up Restaurant

An opportunity to have your culinary team and chef work with Master Chef Edward Leonard, CMC, giving your members a special evening and creating a member experience like no other.

Trusted Consulting & Training Partners of ASB Hospitality

Chris has extensive training and facilitation experience within both the hospitality & healthcare industries. In the last 10 years he has trained or facilitated meetings with thousands of professionals on behalf of dozens of pharmaceutical companies and hospitality teams. A partial list of hospitality clients includes Sage, Stonebridge, Four Seasons, Marriott, Hunter’s Run CC, Laredo CC and Congressional CC.

Chris’s B.S. is in Tourism Sciences from Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. His background in luxury hospitality service and leadership provides a strong operational and training foundation for his consulting, program facilitation and coaching. Audience engagement, crafting a message, delivery skills, PowerPoint, advanced interactivity, and leadership are topics about which Chris is passionate, and well-versed in, that add tremendous insight and value.

Chris’s energy and enthusiasm make learning exciting and fun for executives, healthcare, hospitality, and business professionals alike.

Chef Edward Leonard is one of only 73 Certified Master Chefs in the country and is one of four that also holds the master chef designation from Germany and World cooks society. Leonard is a recent winner of the 2021 ACF Innovation award for Culinary Arts along with being honored this September 2021 receiving the Culinary Excellence Award for Outstanding Executive Chef and Leadership for “Private Golf or Country Clubs “ at the third annual Golf Kitchen Culinary Excellence Awards at Glen Arbor Golf Club.

Chef Leonard spent 13 years with the leading British hotel and catering company, TrustHouse Forte, traveling the globe and based in New York City, holding positions as Corporate Chef of North America, Director of Operations, Vice President and Executive Vice President.  He has also been affiliated with hotels such as Plaza Athene, Westbury, and Watergate in DC along with high end dining rooms for corporations like NatWest Westminster Bank, General Electric, and American Express. Additionally, he spent eight plus years with the famed Westchester Country Club & Hotel. In his tenor, he placed the culinary program on the map in the club and resort world locally and globally and the club became the 12th ranked Platinum club in the country.

Chef is now director of culinary operations of Fresh Meadow Country Club where he is building a new culture with his “Culinary pride program “Chef is recognized at the highest level for his contributions and impact on the profession in the states and globally. His mentorship has taught and groomed many culinary professionals who are now leaders and executive chefs in the profession including the training of 4 certified master chefs. They say the legacy of a true chefs is what happens to those who leave his kitchens, chef Leonard has a trail of chefs he has impacted through the years.

Chef Leonard will be offering his Culinary Pride® through KK&W’s portfolio of food & beverage training options.

Consultation & Booking Request

Food & Beverage Training2023-07-12T11:02:01+00:00

Len Simard

Len Simard, PTR & USPTA Master Professional

Search & Consulting Executive

Len Simard, PTR & USPTA Master Professional conducts all racquet sports, fitness, wellness, and GM/COO professional searches for the firm’s club clients. Len is the industry’s leader in private club placement of Racquets Directors. Len also performs facility consulting that includes performance and programming evaluations, compensation reviews, racquet committee retreats, and effective solutions for all types of racquets facilities throughout the Country. Under Len’s guidance, KK&W has partnered with The Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) to provide PTR members, clubs, and employers the opportunity to be the most educated and connected in the business.

Len has been directing, teaching, and coaching at well-respected country clubs throughout North America for more than 35 years and is regarded as one of the country’s leading racquet directors and managers. From 1998 – 2019 Len served as the director of racquets at the New Canaan Field Club in New Canaan, CT, and concurrently at the Isleworth Golf and Country Club in Orlando, FL between 2004 and 2017. Len was also the former director of tennis & fitness at Boca Lago Country Club in Boca Raton, FL from 1990 to 2004. He was formerly the COO of the New Canaan Racquet Club in New Canaan, CT. Len has hired, trained, and worked with hundreds of professionals in his career and is extremely proud that more than 50 of his former assistants are leading prominent clubs in the U.S. and Canada.

Simard was named Professional of the Year three times and twice Player of the Year by the Florida Division of the USPTA. In 2019, Simard was named National Club Manager of the Year by the USPTA. As a player, Len holds 15 national singles and doubles titles in the U.S. and Canada. He has represented Canada in international play for almost three decades in the veteran categories. Simard, a past president of the USPTA Florida Division, has lectured on many industry topics at PTR, USPTA, USTA, TIA, PGA, and CMAA educational forums and conventions for more than 30 years. Len chaired the USTA committee to bring the first ever “Online Certification to become a Racquets Director” to the industry. This certification is now available through the University of Florida, is endorsed by the USTA, and is certified through the PTR and USPTA. It is now the new industry standard in determining qualified directors of racquets.

Email: len@kkandw.com

Phone: 407-463-8923

LinkedIn

Trusted Partners of Simard Enterprises

Sarosiek is certified by the PTR, PPR, PPTR, one of only 200 professionals that are certified in three (3) racquet sports. Sarosiek is also certified as an Elite Professional by the USPTA, and works as a search executive and consultant within the racquet sports industry with Simard Enterprises.  Additionally, Sarosiek currently serves as the Head Racquet Sports Professional at Farmington Country Club, in Charlottesville, Virginia.  Farmington Country Club is perennially recognized as a “Platinum Club of America”, an accolade given to the top 150 country clubs in the United States.

Previously, Sarosiek was the Director of Sports & Wellness at Boar’s Head Resort, and was the Director of Tennis at Wintergreen Resort.  Both resorts are ranked inside the top 25 tennis resorts in the world, by Tennis Resorts Online. 

Harry Gilbert, USPTA, PTR, joins the team at Simard Enterprises, Inc., as a consultant and search executive in the racquet sports industry. Harry is an industry leader in racquets with over 40 years of experience in the hospitality, resort, and private clubs.

Harry currently serves as the Director of Tennis at Waccabuc Country Club in Waccabuc (Westchester County), NY, during the summer seasons. Prior to joining Simard Enterprises, he served as the Executive Director of Tennis at Albany, a luxury resort community in the Bahamas for 6 winter seasons.

Harry served on the USPTA FL Board of directors for 12 years including a 3-year term as President of the Division. He was twice named FL Division “Pro of the Year”. His service to the USPTA continued as he then served for 14 years on the USPTA National Board of Directors including a 2-year term as National President. Harry has also been very active with the USTA serving on committees at the National and Sectional level.

Industry Press Releases

Scottsdale, AZ – KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE (KK&W) is pleased to announce that we have joined the Club Spa & Fitness Association’s (CSFA) Corporate Partner Benefits Program.

This partnership represents a commitment by KK&W to support CSFA’s operations and educational offerings as content matter experts delivering key insights relevant to the club wellness industry.

> Read More

Scottsdale, AZ – KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE (KK&W) the nation’s leading hospitality search and consulting firm has partnered with The Professional Tennis Registry (PTR). KK&W is the leader in Senior Executive placement and consulting in the club and resort industry and will specialize in educating PTR professionals in many areas of their profession. The partnership will give PTR members, clubs and employers the opportunity to be the most polished and connected in the industry.

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USPTA AwardLAS VEGAS – The United States Professional Tennis Association held its Awards Lunch this past Wednesday during the 2019 USPTA World Conference presented by Havana Bob’s at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Simard (New Canaan, CT), the general manager at New Canaan Racquet Club in Connecticut, was named 2019 Small Facility Manager of the Year.

In 2018, Simard incorporated pro/ams, weekly one-day junior tournaments and mixed doubles socials to increase programming by 300%, leading to a revenue increase of $150,000. He also instituted midterm and final evaluations within the junior program and created a full pickleball program that includes learn-to-play classes, socials and tournaments.

Simard employs a staff of 10 full-time tennis professionals, seven of which are USPTA certified and three that will become USPTA certified, and retrained them to be fully compliant in the USTA 10 and Under protocol. Simard is a USPTA Master Professional and a past president of USPTA Florida.

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About the USPTA

Founded in 1927, the USPTA is the global leader in tennis-teacher certification and professional development. With more than 14,000 members worldwide, the association raises the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches and promotes a greater awareness of the sport.

Articles & Education

Industry leaders are taking a very different approach to racquet director pay structure such as considering higher base salary and limited lessons.

As a club general manager or chief operating officer, you have likely already realized that the racquet sports operation is the unsung hero of a successful club organization.

With a vibrant and robust racquet sports program (tennis, pickleball, squash, platform tennis, Paddle and POP tennis) serving as the heart­ beat of your club, it is important to review the different components of your director of racquet sports compensation package to attract and retain top talent.

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Len Simard2023-08-15T11:55:25+00:00

Attributes Next Generation Country Club Boards

Country-Club-Board-Member

As the club industry, technology and society evolve, so must club boards. According to Tom Wallace of Kopplin, Kuebler and Wallace, the next generation of board members will be more sophisticated, knowledgeable and have different expectations than board members of the past. It’s the reason why he urges clubs to follow these best practices for finding high-quality board members: identify specific traits board members should have and require committee service as a prerequisite to board service. If a member doesn’t have the necessary traits or isn’t successful on a committee, he or she likely won’t be successful as a board member, Wallace said.

“It was once a common practice for club boards to have one engineer, one lawyer, one accountant, etc. Today, worrying about actual professions is less important than seeking out people who are good leaders, effective communicators, fair and objective thinkers, engaged members who use the majority of club facilities frequently and who are good stewards of the club (those who are there for the right reasons),” Wallace wrote in a recent issue of Club Trends, a publication of the National Club Association and The McMahon Group.

Cultivating younger board members, diversifying demographics and looking for varying perspectives need to be priorities for clubs. Wallace believes that in order to provide a compelling member experience, clubs must have members with different viewpoints, backgrounds and experiences serving on the board and participating in the decision making processes.

It is also important to ensure the board is an appropriate representation of the membership. New members are often overlooked for board or committee service because they are thought to be too “inexperienced” or lacking in club knowledge. But Wallace believes new members can be outstanding candidates for service. “Few clubs actually seek new members to serve on boards, but new members may have great ideas, fresh outlooks and not be limited by the way things have been done in the past,” he explained. “They also have clear and specific reasons why they joined the club. This insight and perspective can prove beneficial in decision-making.”

In addition, creating a positive board experience is essential for attracting the next generation of board members. Wallace says 90-minute board meetings; purposeful, clear and consistent communication; a detailed board orientation; and ongoing board education are all key components to ensuring the board experience is effective and successful. “Actively working to make the board experience rewarding, enlightening and fun is essential,” he concluded.

Private Club Advisor – June 2022

Attributes Next Generation Country Club Boards2022-12-06T17:36:57+00:00

EarthWorks Podcast – 100th Segment Featuring Armen Suny

The 100th version of the EW Podcast features two of their most popular guests over the past two years, Armen Suny and Dave Wilber. In this segment they talk about about the state of the industry, and as always, end up with some very funny stories and a great conversation. Thank you to all who have joined as guests and to all who have listened, making the EarthWorks Podcast one of the most successful in the turf industry.

About the Armen Suny…

Armen Suny is a search executive with Kopplin Kuebler & Wallace. He was the superintendent at Cherry Hills Country Club for the “1985 PGA Championship” and went on to host six PGA Tour events at Castle Pines. He was the general manager at Shadow Creek for Steve Wynn. Suny was the assistant Superintendent at Merion Golf Club for the 1981 US Open and an intern at Aronimink Golf Club for the 1977 US Amateur. Armen can be reached at (303) 570-2741 or via email at armen@kkandw.com.

Suny’s education is in turfgrass management from Penn State. His experiences include: Golf course design (Sagebrush Golf and Sporting Club, No. 1 new golf course in Canada, 2009 with Rod Whitman and Richard Zokol,) PGA Tour tournament director, and golf course residential project workouts.

EARTHWORKS PODCAST

EarthWorks Podcast – 100th Segment Featuring Armen Suny2022-04-25T14:33:47+00:00
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