CMAA Connecticut Chapter – 2026 Regional Workshop Recap – Advancing Excellence in Club Leadership
Club Leadership Alliance – CMAA Connecticut Chapter Regional Workshop Recap
The 2026 CMAACT Regional Workshop, held March 1–2 at the Mohegan Sun Resort, brought together club management professionals and industry leaders for two days of education, collaboration, and meaningful connection. Club Leadership Alliance (CLA) was proud to provide the educational programming for the event, bringing together expertise from KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, Club Benchmarking, and McMahon Group.
The education centered on four essential characteristics of high-performing clubs: Informed Leadership, Strategic Stewardship, Empowered Management and Team, and a Compelling Member Experience. Through a series of collaborative sessions, attendees explored how these principles work together to strengthen club leadership, organizational performance, and the overall member experience.
Opening Reception and Connection
The workshop began Sunday evening with a Welcome Reception at the Vista Lounge. The evening provided an opportunity for attendees, presenters, and industry partners to connect before Monday’s educational program.
Session One: Informed Leadership
Moderated by Tom Wallace, Kurt Kuebler, Ray Cronin, and Frank Vain led the first educational session focused on Informed Leadership.
The session explored the importance of informed, thoughtful leadership in today’s increasingly complex private club environment. Effective club leaders must understand their organization, membership, financial position, governance structure, and broader industry landscape to make sound decisions and successfully guide their clubs forward.
Session Two: Strategic Stewardship
Kurt Kuebler, Chris Barron, and Frank Vain continued the morning with a discussion centered on Strategic Stewardship.
The session emphasized the responsibility club leaders share in protecting the long-term health and sustainability of their organizations. Strategic stewardship requires balancing current member expectations with future needs while maintaining alignment among club leadership, management, resources, and long-range priorities.
Session Three: Empowered Management and Team
Following lunch, Kevin Vitale, Chris Barron, and Christian Coulter led a session on Empowered Management and Team.
Discussion focused on the importance of creating an environment in which management teams have the clarity, resources, accountability, and support necessary to perform at a high level. Strong clubs invest in their people, develop future leaders, establish clear expectations, and foster cultures built around collaboration and shared organizational goals.
Session Four: Compelling Member Experience
The final CLA educational session brought together Kevin Vitale, Ray Cronin, and Christian Coulter to explore the Compelling Member Experience.
At the heart of every successful private club is the ability to understand and consistently respond to the evolving needs of its membership. The session reinforced the importance of viewing the member experience holistically—from service and amenities to programming, communication, culture, and the meaningful connections that create a lasting sense of belonging.
Together, the four sessions demonstrated the interconnected nature of successful club leadership: informed leaders provide thoughtful direction; strategic stewardship positions the organization for the future; empowered teams bring the vision to life; and the result is a compelling experience that strengthens member engagement and the Club community.
Keynote Speaker
Following the CLA educational program, the workshop continued with remarks and the introduction of keynote speaker Scott Greenberg, who concluded the afternoon’s educational programming.
Continuing the Conversation
CLA extends its sincere appreciation to the CMAA Connecticut Chapter for the opportunity to provide education for this year’s Regional Workshop and to the club professionals, industry partners, volunteers, and presenters who contributed to its success.
The 2026 CMAACT Regional Workshop reinforced the tremendous value of bringing club leaders together to exchange ideas, challenge conventional thinking, and learn from the collective expertise of the industry. CLA remains committed to providing education and resources that strengthen leadership, governance, management, and the member experience throughout the private club community.
We look forward to continuing these important conversations and creating additional opportunities to advance excellence in club leadership. Until next time!
Low Country Symposium 2025 Recap: A Remarkable Gathering of Club Leaders
Low Country Symposium 2025 Recap: A Remarkable Gathering of Club Leaders
The 2025 Lowcountry Symposium, held on January 27-28, brought together 100 club leaders, general managers, and industry experts for two days of insightful discussions, networking, and knowledge-sharing. Hosted at the prestigious Colleton River Club and Berkeley Hall Club, this year’s symposium delivered engaging panels, breakout discussions, and opportunities to exchange best practices in club management.
Day One: Colleton River Club
The Symposium commenced with an enthusiastic welcome from Colleton River Club, Chief Operating Officer, Robert Sereci, setting the stage for two days of collaboration and learning. Attendees were introduced to the history of the Club Leadership Alliance (CLA) and a statistical overview of club performance metrics in the region.
Session One: High-Performing Clubs & Best Practices
Moderated by John Schultz, this session featured a distinguished panel including Kurt Kuebler, Frank Vain, and Wray Crippin. Discussions centered around:
- Informed Leadership
- Strategic Stewardship
- Empowered Management and Staff
- Creating a Compelling Member Experience
Attendees gained valuable insights into what makes a high-performing club and the strategies that drive success.
Session Two: The Power of the Low Country
A key highlight was the interactive breakout discussions, where board members and general managers engaged in deep-dive conversations on regional challenges and opportunities. Facilitated by industry experts, these sessions fostered dynamic exchanges and allowed participants to compare and contrast in conversation.
The day concluded with a social hour and a networking reception — a perfect setting for continuing conversations in a relaxed environment.
Day Two: Berkeley Hall Club
Financial Comparisons and Strategic Planning
The second day kicked off with a financial deep dive led by Jim Butler, Wray Crippin, and Mike Benner. Attendees examined financial benchmarks and economic trends affecting clubs in the Low Country.
Leadership and Succession Planning
Frank Vain and Jim Butler guided the discussion on best practices for leadership succession, a critical component of sustainable club governance. Strategies for identifying and nurturing future leaders were shared, emphasizing the importance of proactive planning and processes.
Session Five: The Power of the Low Country – Breakout Discussions
Attendees once again engaged in breakout discussions, sharing perspectives on governance, membership experience, and operational excellence. These smaller, focused sessions allowed for meaningful exchanges and actionable takeaways.
Closing and Key Takeaways
A sincere thank-you was extended to the host clubs for their exceptional hospitality, and attendees departed with fresh insights and renewed connections.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Low Country Symposium was a resounding success, reinforcing the power of collaboration and shared learning in the private club industry. We look forward to building on these discussions and continuing to elevate the standards of club leadership in the years to come! Stay tuned for future events and ongoing conversations within CLA. Until next time!
INDUSTRY LEADER TONY D’ERRICO ADDS DEPTH and EXPERTISE TO CLA
The Club Leadership Alliance (CLA) is proud to announce that private club industry expert Tony D’Errico, CCM, CCE, CAM is adding his expertise to the firm’s roster of talented CLA Experience Network professionals. Tony’s areas of focus will include governance, leadership development, executive coaching, succession planning and working with club boards to achieve excellence as informed, strategic stewards of their clubs.
For Tony, a former CMAA President (2015) and noted industry leader, his role is to “help boards achieve their full potential so that the GM and management team can achieve theirs.” His experience spans all facets of private club business management, hospitality and residential development. Noted as a highly principled, visionary leader, Tony has worked with distinguished clubs such as Quail West (Naples) and Westwood Country Club (St. Louis).
In addition to his term as CMAA President, Tony’s support of the private club industry includes chapter and national leadership positions with CMAA beginning in 1993 when he was named a Regional Director on the Florida CMAA Chapter Board. He was appointed a CMAA Fellow in 2020, CMAA Executive of the Year in 2019, served on the CMAA Board from 2007-2017, and received the Excellence in Club Management, James H. Brewer Award in 2013.
The Club Leadership Alliance (CLA) is a partnership between three of the nation’s most highly regarded firms serving private clubs. Established in March 2020, CLA is comprised of partner firms KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, McMahon Group, and Club Benchmarking. A hands-on consulting operation focused on providing private clubs with expertise that is tailored to their needs, the CLA Experience Network adopts the CLA Core Values and Best Practices recognized as essential to a club’s long-term success.
For more information about the Club Leadership Alliance, please visit www.clubleadershipalliance.com or reach out directly to John Schultz, CCM, CCE, ECM at john@clubleadershipalliance.com.
CLA Expands to Add Services & Expertise
ANNOUNCING CLA INTERIM MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS AND THE EXPERIENCE NETWORK
Seven months after the addition of John Schultz, CCM, CCE, ECM to lead the Club Leadership Alliance, the firm is proud to announce its expansion to include Interim Management Solutions and the CLA Experience Network, a hands-on consulting operation focused on providing private clubs with expertise that is tailored to their needs and adopts the CLA Core Values and Best Practices recognized as essential to a club’s long-term success.
The Club Leadership Alliance (CLA) is a partnership between three of the nation’s most highly regarded firms serving private clubs. Established in March 2020, CLA is comprised of partner firms KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, McMahon Group, and Club Benchmarking.
Interim General Manager Solutions through CLA are led by Executive in Charge Dan Miles, CCM, CCE. The CLA’s approach to interim management is to “strengthen the search”. The CLA interim general managers are proven leaders in the field with track records of success through long-term positions at top clubs nationwide. Clubs that utilize CLA Interim Management Solutions are further supported through oversight and custom consulting services that embody the CLA Core Values and Best Practices that create relevant, enduring clubs.
Dan Miles joins John Schultz in providing oversight and expert management of CLA Interim Management Solutions. Dan’s professional background includes work for top clubs nationwide as a longtime General Manager and consultant for CLA partner firms KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE and Club Benchmarking. He has served as an interim general manager and is uniquely positioned to leverage his expertise and industry-recognized best practices in his new role with CLA.
The CLA Food & Beverage Experience Network is led by Executive in Charge, Lawrence McFadden, CMC. For CLA clients, Lawrence offers a rich and diverse menu of programs easily customized to meet the specific needs of club clients. These encompass: Food & Beverage Assessments, Culinary Diagnostics, Staff Training, Interim Executive Chef Solutions, Culinary Concept Development and Executive Chef Mentorship, including onboarding support. Lawrence also works closely with CLA Partner firm KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE as part of their executive chef search and staff training offerings.
A Certified Master Chef, Lawrence’s impressive career includes leadership roles with iconic brands such as The Ritz-Carlton, MGM Resorts and Casinos, The Greenbrier Hotel and Spa, The Waldorf Astoria, and Shangri La Hotels and Resorts of Hong Kong. His work for clubs includes Jupiter Island Club in partnership with Ritz-Carlton; River Club, Jacksonville, Florida; Sporting Club in partnership with The Greenbrier Hotel and Resort; Villa Paterna Club, Marbella, Spain; Aberdeen Club, Hong Kong in partnership with Shangri-La Hotel and Resorts; Idle Hour Country Club, Lexington, Kentucky; Aurora Club in partnership with Aurora Hotel and Spa, Anguilla.
Helming the CLA Fitness and Wellness Experience Network is highly respected industry veteran Herb Lipsman. These consulting services encompass all aspects of a club’s Fitness and Wellness operations, including recruiting, staff training, program development, and optimization of a club’s current and future fitness/wellness facilities. Herb’s experience includes 30+ years managing luxurious country clubs, upscale athletic clubs, and luxury resort properties. Herb has achieved a unique level of experience working with some of the most prestigious private clubs and resorts in the industry. Additionally, he has cultivated a robust network of fitness, wellness, and spa professionals and has established long-term relationships with top equipment suppliers.
The CLA Communications Experience Network is led by Executive in Charge Corey Saban, crisis management and communications expert. He works with general managers, boards of directors, and management teams on internal and external messaging and training. An Emmy-nominated and former Associated Press award-winning TV journalist, Corey’s media career encompassed interviews with some of the world’s most respectable and recognizable figures.
Since taking charge of the Club Leadership Alliance, CEO John Schultz, CCM, CCE, ECM has also expanded the firm’s offerings in the arena of strategic governance. From hands-on support providing club stakeholders with customized strategic governance programs to more focused efforts such as the board-specific “A Day with CLA”, Schultz has added a diverse range of services that “Rally Club Leaders Around Best Practices.” The CLA Presidents Council is expanding to reach twice as many club leaders by being held in both spring (April, 2023 – Monterey Peninsula Country Club; Monterey, California) and fall (October, 2023 – Cherokee Town & Country Club; Atlanta, Georgia). CLA has conducted recent CMAA Chapter education for the Florida, Carolinas, and Georgia chapters. Schultz also sits on the National Club Association Governance Committee, formed to guide clubs in best practices around creating board policy manuals.