30 Years 30 Stories

I often say, “KK&W represented me better than I represented myself.” I was introduced to the firm through a search in 2015, and the recruitment experience reminded me of my time at Ritz-Carlton. That connection stayed with me, and eight years later, Tom Wallace asked whether I would be interested in expanding the company’s culinary search practice. By then, Lisa Carroll had moved on, and Annette Whittley had stepped into the role with an interest in partnering with me.

Like any career, search is rarely what it first appears to be. In this chapter of my professional life, I wanted to deepen my skills in the humanities, politics, and professional expertise. The opportunity to represent the craft with style and grace—while helping people with limited voices secure better roles and career paths—felt like an ideal fit.

The club world is in a gold rush era for executive chefs for many reasons. Being able to support boards, club leaders, and culinary professionals in understanding this landscape is a craft in itself—much like cooking, leadership, and the other professional roles I have held. The privilege to sit at the board table, knowing the craft of culinary, and influence those iconic members in their own professions is a great asset to the General Manager who is looking for the right professional in the Executive Chef role.

The partners of the firm are world class, each bringing their own unique skill allows us to create excellence in this sector of the industry. With this talent, they have assembled the best in the business which allows us to share our talents and knowledge with the industry and ourselves. You always want to be the least smartest person at the table and for that I am at the right table.

I have been fortunate to live a rich life filled with global travel and work. In this chapter, the opportunity to meet world-class members, club leaders, and remarkable places that many people only hear about has been extraordinary. Spending time with each club and learning about its mission, vision, and character aligns perfectly with my curiosity and desire to learn from others. The pride I have seen in communities across the country has also renewed my own pride in our nation.

Lawrence McFadden is a Search & Consulting Executive with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE. He can be reached at (833) KKW-HIRE, ext. 715 and at lawrence@kkandw.com.

Over the past few years with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, I’ve had the opportunity to work with extraordinary club leaders, talented front-line staff, and an incredible team of consultants. While there have been memorable projects and exciting milestones along the way, the greatest impact has been the personal growth I experienced during the journey.

When I joined the firm, I viewed myself primarily as a hospitality trainer and presenter. I believed my value came from my experience and the ability to provide answers. What KK&W helped me discover was how to integrate my growing skills as a Co-Active Coach into the world of private clubs, thus supporting leaders across the globe. I learned that meaningful growth happens not when we tell people what to do, but when we help them gain clarity on their own beliefs and values.

Through multiple conversations with the Partners, they helped me navigate the ever-changing club landscape, so I could best identify and collaborate with leaders seeking transformation for themselves and their team. My KK&W colleagues continually challenge me to think differently. Because of them I am a better listener, a better coach, and viewed as an expert. These skills have allowed me to be a part of some of the most anticipated Club openings!

What makes this growth so meaningful is the culture that surrounds the firm. KK&W is built on relationships. The support, collaboration, and genuine care among team members is something I deeply value. We celebrate each other’s successes, learn from one another, and share a commitment to showing up for our clients at the highest level…all with only minimal hazing to newbies!

As I reflect on the past four and a half years, I am grateful not only for the work I’ve done, but for the person I’ve become because of it. The relationships I’ve built, the lessons learned, and the culture I experience each day are what KK&W will always mean to me.

Chris DeChillo is a Hospitality Trainer & Leadership Coach with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE. He can be reached at (833) KKW-HIRE, ext. 708 and at chris@kkandw.com.

Life has a way of bringing us back to our center and our roots. My journey as a PGA Professional, coupled with my time at KK&W, has done exactly that. During my time as a PGA officer, I spent much of my career championing the upward mobility of our professionals—helping them advance from golf professional roles into Director of Golf positions and ultimately into General Manager/COO opportunities. I served on our Employment Committee and later created and chaired the Workplace Task Force while serving as PGA Secretary. All of it stemmed from a passion for helping others find a better place on their career journey.

Many years ago, as a young golf professional fresh out of Louisiana State University, I was starry-eyed and full of hopes and dreams. One of the earliest lessons I learned was that experienced golf professionals—those who had established themselves at great clubs and in outstanding positions—were invaluable resources. They showed me what was possible and helped me understand how to climb the career ladder.

It was only natural that I would develop a passion for employment and helping clubs and professionals find one another. Over time, I became someone many people reached out to for career advice and guidance. At its core, it’s about serving others, making connections, and building relationships—things that have enriched my own career in countless ways.

At KK&W, I believe we do this exceptionally well every day. We balance our work by always upholding a standard of professionalism, expressing much gratitude, and taking time for personal reflection on what we have achieved. We put others at the forefront of everything we do, and that has allowed me to stay connected to the work I love and rediscover my passion for making a difference in people’s lives. As my father once said, “It’s one more thing they can put on your tombstone when the journey is done.”

Thank you, KK&W, for allowing me to continue that journey and purpose.

Paul K. Levy is a Search & Consulting Executive with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, a consulting firm providing executive search, strategic planning and data analysis services to the private club and hospitality industries. Paul can be reached at (833) KKW-HIRE, ext. 711 and at paul@kkandw.com.

Joining the KK&W team was a truly special point in my professional career. The opportunity to propel the private club human resources profession forward has been an honor. I love how it has grown in such a short period of time!

But what made this experience even more special—and something I never expected at the beginning of this journey—was the exceptional team I had the privilege of joining.

Our team is an incredibly talented group of individuals. We each bring unique perspectives, different areas of expertise, and individual strengths that contribute to our collective success. We are wired differently (I’ve got the data to prove it), we think differently, and approach challenges from different angles—and those differences are one of our greatest assets.

And yet with all those differences, when we come together, whether it’s on our team calls, chapter education, or a conference, the synergy is strong. From co-presenting education with Annette, brainstorming ideas with Marcie, learning a best practice with Patty, randomly running into Sam at the airport, or getting great advice from Kurt, this team never disappoints. Not to mention, we all have a blast when we get together.

The collaboration, creativity, and dedication demonstrated by this team is nothing short of remarkable. Together, we challenge one another to think bigger, innovate continuously, and raise the standard of excellence in everything we do. Advancing the private club industry through education and professional development, which helps leaders thrive, is at the forefront of everything we do. And I love it!

I am incredibly grateful to work alongside such an exceptional group of professionals and proud to be part of the KK&W team.

Jodie Cunningham is an HR/Talent Strategist and Search & Consulting Executive with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE. She can be reached at (833) KKW-HIRE, ext. 707 and at jodie@kkandw.com.

My colleagues at KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE have helped to make my second career more rewarding than I ever imagined it could be. Prior to landing at KK&W, all of us were successful operators in our area of expertise. We enjoyed the hard work of successfully leading an organization while forming strong teams dedicated to serving others. Service is the essence of the hospitality business and that ethos flows strongly through the talented group that is KK&W. Talent and cooperation are a multiplier that allow us to make a positive impact on this great business of private club management.

During my long career I came to recognize an organization’s most valuable asset is its  culture. It is what enables an organization to do great things, to meet difficult challenges head on, and to be intentional about achieving success. At KK&W whether we are communicating by Zoom, partnering for a search, or simply responding to a request for help, doing the right thing is always the goal.

The KK&W culture was intentionally built by the partners. This was illustrated when our HR Talent Strategist, Jodie Cunningham, administered a Predictive Index (PI) exercise for a KK&W workshop after a CMAA Conference. The PI results showed we had a uniquely well-balanced team in temperament and thinking style. I credit the genius of the partners for bringing together the right mix of talented professionals dedicated to helping the Club industry.

Thanks to the partners and their understanding of culture; how to build it and how to sustain it, we are a happy and productive group. I never thought I would have a second career, but I do and I like it.

J.G. Ted Gillary is an Executive Coach and Search & Consulting Executive with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, a consulting firm providing executive search, strategic planning and data analysis services to the private club and hospitality industries. Ted can be reached at (833) KKW-HIRE, ext. 709 and at ted@kkandw.com.

My journey with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE began at my very first Club Management Association of America World Conference, one of those moments you don’t realize is pivotal until much later. During that conference, my General Manager, Jeffrey Kreafle, introduced me to the partners at KK&W and said something that has stayed with me ever since: “These people will have a major impact on your career—you should get to know them.” As it turns out, he was absolutely right.

In 2017, after the loss of my husband, I found myself at a deeply personal and professional crossroads. It was a time that required both reflection and courage and ultimately led me to take a leap of faith, pursuing a lifelong dream: starting my own business focused on Food & Beverage training. As I began to build that vision, I received a call from Kurt Kuebler at KK&W about a potential opportunity. When I shared what I was working on, Kurt didn’t hesitate. He introduced me to Tom and arranged for us to meet the next time they were in Washington, DC. That conversation changed everything. What started as a simple meeting quickly became something much bigger, and joining KK&W felt like a natural and easy decision.

From the very beginning, I was inspired by the passion, integrity, and excellence that each member of the KK&W team brings to their work. Over the past few years, we have launched numerous Food & Beverage training programs. One of the most rewarding aspects of this work has been our ability to truly customize each program, ensuring it reflects the unique culture, standards, and aspirations of every club we partner with.

As demand for training grew, it became clear that expanding our reach was essential. With the full support of the KK&W team, I had the opportunity to bring in a colleague from my Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts days, Chris DeChillo. His addition to the team allowed us to deepen our impact.

Another defining milestone came when one of my mentors within the firm, Lisa Carroll, retired. The partners approached me about stepping into the world of Executive Chef searches. This wasn’t just a new responsibility, it felt like a calling.

Today, I have the honor and privilege of partnering with and learning from Lawrence McFadden, CMC, ECM, combining our shared passion and expertise to support clubs and culinary leaders across the industry. Together, we are committed to elevating Food & Beverage programs and positively influencing culinary professionals in every interaction.

Looking back, what stands out most are not just the milestones or projects, but the people, the mentors, colleagues, and partners who have shaped my journey. KK&W has provided an environment where growth is encouraged, collaboration is genuine, and excellence is the standard. It has allowed me to blend my passion for training, leadership, and hospitality into a career that continues to evolve in the most meaningful ways.

Annette Whittley is a Hospitality Consultant, Trainer, and Search & Consulting Executive with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE. She can be reached at (833) KKW-HIRE, ext. 721 and at annette@kkandw.com.