30 Years 30 Stories

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.

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.

When I look back on my career, what strikes me most is how many times I reinvented myself, and how every pivot led me exactly where I needed to be at the time I needed to be there.

My journey began in hospitality in the most hands-on way possible. My first job was at Wendy’s, and I mean that literally. I was Wendy, dressed in costume, waving and greeting customers at the door. From there, I worked my way through years of restaurant and bar work, consistently assigned to the largest and busiest stations because of my ability to deliver exceptional guest service under pressure. Those early years gave me something no classroom could: a deep respect for the people who make hospitality run.

That foundation carried me into corporate human resources inside Fortune 500 companies where I specialized in employment, employee relations, and training and development.

Talent acquisition was at the core of that work, and I built a reputation for identifying the right people for the right roles. When I stepped out on my own to launch a career management firm, I discovered that I loved helping people tell their stories just as much as I loved identifying talent for others.

My connection to the private club industry deepened over time through eight years of work with CMAA, writing resumes and LinkedIn profiles for members and students, volunteering at annual conferences, and presenting at chapter education meetings. What started as a service became a calling. I wanted to go further, deeper into the industry, and as part of a team rather than on my own.

That’s what brought me to KK&W. After years of solo consulting, I wanted to contribute at a higher level within the best firm in the business. Here, I’ve been able to bring together everything I’ve built over 30 years, executive search, talent acquisition, career coaching, training, and facilitation, in service of an industry I genuinely love.

Michelle Riklan is a Career Strategist and Search & Consulting Executive with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE. She can be reached at (833) KKW-HIRE, ext. 717 and at michelle@kkandw.com.

From the beginning, I have felt welcomed into a culture that values collaboration, connection, and results. One standout experience was “Girls’ Week” at Patty’s home in Georgia. It provided valuable time to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships, and enjoy time together in a more personal setting. That experience helped build a stronger level of trust and connection that carries into how we work together across different locations.

Each day offers the opportunity to make an impact by supporting both clubs and candidates from around the world as they advance their careers. Helping candidates present themselves effectively and take the next step professionally, while also assisting clubs in finding the right talent to meet their needs, is a consistent reminder of the value of this work.

KK&W has also provided a strong sense of personal growth and balance. Having grown up in the food & beverage industry from a young age, I stepped away at one point to focus more on family and friends. While I valued that time, I realized how much I missed the industry. KK&W has allowed me to return in a new and fulfilling way, blending my experience with a renewed sense of purpose.

Our weekly Zoom meetings keep everyone aligned, informed, and connected, regardless of location. There is a strong sense of teamwork and shared direction that supports how we operate day to day.

Thank you to the KK&W team for the opportunity to be part of such a great organization. I value the work we do together and the professionalism and collaboration that define KK&W.

Katy Eliades is a Support & Development Specialist with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, a consulting firm providing executive search, strategic planning and data analysis services to the private club and hospitality industries. Katy can be reached at (833) KKW-HIRE, ext. 722 and at katy@kkandw.com.

When I look back on my journey in racquet sports, I’m reminded how unlikely it once seemed that the game would become not just my passion, but my life’s work.

Growing up in Canada, playing junior tennis and later competing at Kent State University as a Division I student-athlete, the sport introduced me to incredible people and experiences that helped shape my path.

Like many players, I simply hoped to stay connected to the game in some way. What I never expected was the opportunity to eventually contribute to the industry on a much larger scale.

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to become deeply involved with the professional organizations that help shape racquet sports in North America, serving as Florida President of the RSPA (Racquet Sports Professionals Association), working with the PTR (Professional Tennis Registry) for more than five years as its career services provider, and now partnering with USTA (United States Tennis Association) Coaching as its official coaching career services provider and executive search firm.

More recently, I’ve also had the privilege of working with the University of Florida within the Director of Racquet Sports program, supporting curriculum development and leading the personal branding component designed to help prepare the next generation of racquets leaders.

What has made all this possible is the platform provided by KK&W. Alongside my colleagues Jon Sarosiek and Harry Gilbert, we’ve had the privilege of helping build the nation’s leading racquets executive search and consulting practice, working with clubs and organizations across the country.

Looking back, I’m simply grateful for the game, for the people in this industry, and for the opportunity KK&W has given me to help it continue to grow. Through our work with clubs, associations, and universities, we’ve been fortunate to support hundreds of professionals and organizations. If, in some small way, I’ve helped others find their path in this industry, the way so many helped me along mine, then I feel I’m giving something back. The game has given me so much.

Len Simard 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. Len can be reached at (833) KKW-HIRE, ext. 718 and at len@kkandw.com.