March 10, 2023
Professional Development
Six Club Industry Leaders Selected for the 2023 Class of Fellows
Six club industry leaders have been selected for the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) 2023 class of Fellows. Created in 2019, the CMAA Fellows Program honors dynamic and active luminaries who embody the leadership, integrity, involvement, and contributions of excelling club management professionals. Each of these individuals has made a significant impact toward the betterment of the profession and CMAA throughout their active careers.
Announced and recognized at the Opening Business Session of the 2023 World Conference and Club Business Expo in Orlando, FL, the Class of 2023 inductees are:
- Lawrence J. Avery, CCM, CCE, Middleton, WI
- Robert J. Crifasi, CCM, CCE, CPA, New Orleans, LA
- Todd D. Marsh, CCM, CCE, Lake Forest, IL
- Michael McCarthy, Delray Beach, FL
- David A. Sheppard, CCM, Atlanta, GA
- Cindy A. Williams, CCM, Rumson, NJ
The Fellows selection process includes a peer nomination; an in-depth application describing the individual's innovation, leadership, and commitment to the profession; interviews with the peer-comprised selection committee; and selection from among a group of highly qualified candidates.
In its fifth year, the CMAA Fellows community is comprised of a total of 34 individuals who serve as thought leaders, mentors, and champions of the Association and the club industry at large. Once honored, the distinction of CMAA Fellow is a lifetime recognition.
Learn more about CMAA's Fellows program
Membership and Member Benefits
Michael Seabrook, CCM, CCE, to Lead 2023 Board of Directors
The Club Management Association of America announces its official 2023 election results. Voting was conducted both online in advance of and on site at the 2023 World Conference and Club Business Expo in Orlando, FL; the election results were announced at the Closing Business Session held at the conclusion of the Conference.
Bylaws Amendments
All five bylaw propositions were approved by the CMAA Membership.
- Housekeeping Update
- Procedural Update to Article VI. Officers
- Chairman Change to Article IX. Standing and Special Committees
- Name and Oversight Changes to Article IX. Standing and Special Committees, Specific to the Strategic Planning Committee
- Name and Oversight Changes to Article IX. Standing and Special Committees, Specific to the Bylaws Committee
2023 Officers and Directors
The 2023 Board will be led by its elected officers:
- Chairman Michael Seabrook, CCM, CCE, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer, Belle Meade Country Club, Nashville, TN
- Vice Chairman Joe Mendez, CCM, CCE, General Manager, Riverton Country Club, Cinnaminson, NJ
- Secretary–Treasurer Richard LaRocca, CCM, CCE, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer, Beechmont Country Club, Cleveland, OH
- Immediate Past Chairman Mitchell Platt, MCM, CCE, General Manager, Cosmos Club, Washington, DC
Newly elected or reelected as Directors are:
- Haissam Baityeh, CCM, CCE, Chief Operating Officer, Country Club of Spartanburg, Spartanburg, SC, elected to a three-year term
- Jeff Isbell, CCM, General Manager, Renaissance Golf Club, Haverhill, MA, elected to a one-year term
- Joseph Krenn, CCM, CCE, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer, Farmington Country Club, Charlottesville, VA, reelected to a three-year term
- Kimberly Clark Warren, CCM, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer, Saucon Valley Country Club, Bethlehem, PA, elected to three-year term
Directors continuing to serve on the CMAA Board are:
- Janine Budzius, CCM, CCE, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer, Philadelphia Country Club, Gladwyne, PA
- Casey Newman, CCM, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer, Lakeside Country Club, Houston, TX
- William Shonk, CCM, CCE, General Manager, Princess Anne Country Club, Virginia Beach, VA
- Jack Slaughter, CCM, CCE, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer, Carolina Country Club, Raleigh, NC
- Michael S. Wheeler, MCM, CCE, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer, Cherokee Town & Country Club, Atlanta, GA
The CMAA Board of Directors is comprised of 13 club management professionals working collaboratively with the membership, National Committees and Task Forces, Partners, and the National Headquarters team, to advance the profession and the greater industry.
2022 CMAA Annual Report: Engage, Empower, Connect
The 2022 CMAA Annual Report was just released. This report chronicles a year where our members reunited and were empowered by the in-person opportunities for engagement and connection. The Report highlights the Association’s developments in record-breaking membership growth, professional development and events, advocacy, member services, and business development, along with crucial information from its subsidiaries, The Club Foundation and the Club Spa and Fitness Association. Paired with the audited financial statements, it includes summaries from the 2022 CMAA Chairman Mitchell Platt, MCM, CCE, and President & CEO Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE.
Chapter of the Year Winners Announced at Conference
Outstanding chapters were honored at CMAA’s World Conference & Club Business Expo in Orlando, FL. The Chapter of the Year (COY) award competition recognizes outstanding work, participation, and accomplishments by CMAA Chapters. Many chapters worked hard to fill the top spots, a fact that was reflected in the extremely close races in each of the chapter size categories. Top honors went to:
Small Chapters:
First Place: Nebraska Chapter
Most Improved: Tennessee Volunteer Chapter
Medium Chapters:
First Place: Pittsburgh Chapter
Most Improved: Virginias Chapter
Large Chapters:
First Place: Carolinas Chapter
Most Improved: Ohio Valley Chapter
Congratulations to these chapters on this time-honored achievement. To reward the winning chapters’ efforts, each first-place chapter is eligible to receive a $3,000 Education Grant and most improved chapters are eligible to receive $2,000 Education Grant, all sponsored by The Club Foundation.
Impressive accomplishments were abundant—all CMAA members should be proud of the level of excellence that exists within the Association’s chapter system. Thank you to Chapter of the Year Chairman Lindsey Bolander, CCM, and the panel of judges: Stephen Casey, CCM, Joe Callison, Jason Fiscus, CCM, CCE, Beth Hunter, Jade Kiosse, CCM, Tad Peel, CCM, Robert Podley, CCM, Layosh Toth, CCM, CCE, and Lloyd Van Horn.
Did You Know: The 2023 World Conference Report Template Is Now Available
The form has been uploaded to the Best Practices Exchange Library and all Conference participants received an email with this template and other resources from the event.
Features
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Featured Discussion: Wine Locker/Club Management Software |
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• Featured MOL Job: Clubhouse Manager in AR |
Resources
#ChooseClubs Campaign Launches
Unveiled at the World Conference is the first video in our #ChooseClubs campaign. It is the first piece of the full campaign on #ChooseClubs that we will be launching to current students, hospitality faculty, and others interested in the field. It will be a great tool for recruitment.
Complete the 2023 CMAA World Conference Survey
If you attended the 2023 CMAA World Conference in Orlando, THANK YOU! CMAA had a great time hosting everyone that came to Conference and want to ensure that we are continuing to raise the bar every year. Please complete the survey to share your thoughts on the World Conference. The survey takes less than 10 minutes and will provide valuable feedback as CMAA plans future World Conferences.
Please Participate in the Club Employee Demographic Assessment
Your club is invited to participate in the Club Employee Demographic Assessment. This research survey presented with support from CMAA and The Club Foundation, will provide a baseline and snapshot of the demographics across the club industry. This three-year project will enable your club to benchmark your changing demographics over time.
Your club's participation and information are confidential. Please submit one response per club. You will gain insight into your team’s diversity and assist in formulating your own DEI strategy and tactics. Your club's participation in this assessment will provide data to help CMAA build education and resources to help clubs recruit and retain diverse talent, making it attractive for everyone to choose to work in clubs.
Thank you in advance for your club's participation in this important initiative!
In the Field: 2023 CMAA/USPTA Survey
CMAA and the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) have partnered together to design a survey to gather data about the ever-changing landscape of racquet sports within clubs.
We are interested in learning more about your perspective on the quality of your tennis/racquet sports professional staff, trends in pickleball, and other related alternative racquet sports information.
In addition, CMAA and USPTA are looking for data regarding the education and certification of professional tennis/racquet sports staff.
If you have any questions, please contact CMAA's Director of Research, Amilcar Davy, at 703-739-9500.
Thank you for your participation in this valuable CMAA survey.
Trends and News
GCSAA Releases Latest Pest Management Practices on US Golf Courses Survey Report
The methods and frequency of pest management practices on golf courses in the U.S. vary greatly around the country in comparison to 2007, according to recently released survey data. The 2021 survey, A Continued Investigation into Pest Management Practices on US Golf Courses, was conducted by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and funded in part by the United States Golf Association (USGA) through the GCSAA Foundation.
Second Half FY2023 H-2B Visas Exhausted, Supplemental Available March 14
As of February 27, US Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to exhaust the standard supply of 33,000 H-2B visas for the second half of FY2023. Now, the supplemental FY2023 visas will become available beginning March 14.