KKW Team

Best Practices for Successful Clubs

Best Practices for Successful Private Clubs

In order for clubs to maintain a high level of performance and overall success, they must adopt best practices that promote continuous improvement and accountability.

According to Tom Wallace, partner with the consulting firm KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, there are several essential practices that can ensure clubs stay effective and on the path to long-term success. Those practices include:

› Holding a best practices retreat. This retreat is an excellent opportunity for club executives to reflect on goals and progress, evaluate performance and plan for the future.

› Board/committee member assessments. Screening potential board and committee members for behavioral traits ensures those in leadership roles align with the club values and culture. This creates a cohesive and effective governance team.

› Mandatory annual board/committee orientation. This ensures new board and committee members understand their roles, responsibility and the club’s strategic goals.

› New member orientation. Welcoming new members with a comprehensive orientation helps to smoothly integrate them into the club. It ensures they understand the club’s culture, values and expectations as it fosters a sense of belonging and engagement from the onset.

› New GM/COO onboarding. A structured and organized onboarding process for a new GM/COO ensures he/she will be well prepared to lead the club quickly. Onboarding should include familiarization with the club operations, culture and strategic goals.

› Board and committee 360-degree reviews. Performing 360-degree reviews for board and committee members provides comprehensive feedback from multiple perspectives which identifies areas for improvement and fosters a culture of continuous learning and development.

› GM & board member coaching. Providing professional coaching for the GM/COO and board members can enhance leadership skills and governance effectiveness, while providing personalized guidance and support to address specific challenges and goals.

› Volunteer leadership development. Developing volunteer leaders is crucial for long-term club success. It is essential to provide training and development opportunities for volunteer leaders as it promotes a steady pipeline of capable and committed leaders for the future.

“Implementing these best practices ensures that club governance remains effective and the club continues to thrive,” explained Wallace. “By committing to regular evaluations, orientation and onboarding programs and leadership development, clubs can achieve their strategic goals and provide exceptional value and experiences for their members.”

Notable – September 2024

Tom Wallace is a partner with KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, a consulting firm providing executive search, strategic planning and data analysis services to the private club and hospitality industries. Tom can be contacted at tom@kkandw.com.

Best Practices for Successful Clubs2024-09-12T18:40:27+00:00

Creating a Standout Personal Brand with Tom Wallace

How to Stand Out in the Competitive World of Hospitality

Crafting a leadership brand is more than just a buzzword—it’s about executive presence, storytelling, and ethical clarity. Ever wonder how to stand out in the competitive world of hospitality, particularly in the exclusive private club sector? This episode unlocks the secrets of personal branding with insights from Tom Wallace, KK&W Partner.

Dive into the essence of what makes professionals like chefs, CFOs and leaders unique, and how they can convey their singular qualities to land top-tier positions. With 2025 around the corner, discover why your LinkedIn profile might be your most powerful tool yet in showcasing your professional identity.

Listen to personal stories and valuable advice that stress the importance of hard work, a love for people, and maintaining a positive attitude over traditional education credentials. Learn how these elements, combined with a robust personal brand, pave the way for a thriving career in hospitality.

Tom Wallace emphasizes the need for confidence, consistency, and a clear set of non-negotiables. We also tackle the potential pitfalls of social media and the importance of maintaining a professional online presence. Learn how to communicate effectively with concise, logical messaging, and understand why brevity can be your ally in professional settings.

This episode is packed with actionable tips to help you navigate the intricacies of personal branding and leadership in today’s hospitality landscape.

Creating a Standout Personal Brand with Tom Wallace2024-07-15T20:37:12+00:00

Rising Through The Club Ranks: Tom Wallace’s Story

Do you ever wonder what it takes to rise through the ranks and thrive in the club world? This episode of Private Club Radio features a fascinating conversation with Tom Wallace, an award-winning manager and partner at KK&W. From shining shoes as a teenager at a country club to becoming the general manager at Oakmont Country Club, Tom shares his incredible journey and the valuable lessons he’s learned along the way.

We uncover the secrets of Tom’s success, including his holistic approach to human capital and the importance of creating an employer of choice culture. Stay interviews, leveraging relationships with members, and giving young professionals the opportunity to provide feedback are essential ingredients to success. Get ready to absorb invaluable insights on recruitment, orientation, training, recognition, retention, and team development that can benefit any club.

Wrapping up our conversation, Tom highlights the power of relationships and networking in the club world. We discuss how clubs can create value for members beyond initiation fees and dues, the significance of self-awareness, and painting a vision for the club. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Tom Wallace’s wealth of experiences and expertise in the club world.

Rising Through The Club Ranks: Tom Wallace’s Story2023-06-19T13:07:42+00:00

Golf Industry Guru Podcast – From Club Manager to Consultant

Private Club Consulting Podcast

Would you believe that the Club Management industry is one of the most challenging and difficult industries to succeed in? It takes a special type of person to thrive, and Tom Wallace is one of those people. With a career that spans from a young 14-year-old shoe shiner to his current role as a partner at one of the most respected consulting firms in the golf industry, Tom Wallace has seen it all.

On this episode of The GIG Podcast, Tom reveals his secrets to success and how he has successfully transitioned from a club manager to a consultant. He also outlines the traits that are critical for successful club management in this day and age, and how to find and work with great mentors. Be sure to tune in as Tom takes us through his career journey and provides some excellent insight into the world of Club Management.

“I always tell young people, if you’re somewhere where you’re not learning and you’re not growing, you need to leave.” – Tom Wallace

In this episode, you will learn about:

  • Developing a Career in the Golf Industry: Learn from Tom Wallace’s journey from club manager to consultant and his advice for young professionals on how to find a mentor and approach networking.
  • Club Management Traits for Success: Understand the importance of self-awareness, mentorship, and the necessary skill sets for successful club management in today’s world.
  • The Role of a Club Manager: Discover how to be a “thought partner” for the members of a club and the importance of being creative, forceful, and respectful in disagreement.

Golf Industry Guru Podcast – From Club Manager to Consultant2023-01-24T21:08:01+00:00

Dick Kopplin Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

Dick Kopplin receives Lifetime Achievement Award from BoardRoom magazine's Distinguished Clubs

KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE is excited to share that Dick Kopplin was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from BoardRoom’s Distinguished Clubs at the Distinguished Ideas Summit held at West Bay Club, Estero, FL on September 19, 2022.  The annual summit was an exclusive gathering of 130 general managers of the most prestigious and successful private clubs from across the country.  A hallmark of excellence, Distinguished Club status is the preeminent standard of distinction in the private club industry, and the award recognizes the most well-regarded leaders for their contributions towards this achievement. 

With a career spanning decades, Dick has dedicated his service and expertise to the betterment of the private club industry.  Following a 35-year journey as a general manager and vice president for nationally recognized clubs, Kopplin started Kopplin Search, Inc. in 1996 to assist clubs in their search for skilled, competent staff. Today he leads KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, a dynamic firm with a focus on executive searches, industry education and consulting.   

KOPPLIN & KUEBLER emerged in 2007 as Kurt D. Kuebler, CCM, CMAA Fellow joined the firm and expanded to KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE with the addition of partner Thomas B. Wallace III, CCM, CCE, ECM in 2016. 

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire, Kopplin began his career in the private club industry by managing golf and country clubs in Wisconsin and Minnesota. His career continued as general manager and vice president of operations, including Castle Pines in Denver, CO, Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, AZ, and PGA West in LaQuinta, CA.  

Left to right: Tom Wallace, Dick Kopplin and Kurt Kuebler

Dick is also an inductee into the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame and CMAA Fellows, a program recognizing dynamic and active luminaries who embody the leadership, integrity, involvement, and contributions of excelling club management professionals. 

“There are few in our club industry who are better known for their commitment to giving back and helping to develop both current and future leaders,” expressed Kurt Kuebler. “Dick’s unwavering dedication inspires our team to follow in his footsteps.” 

Tom Wallace shared, “I have been privileged to watch firsthand the effect that he has had on club professionals through his leadership, mentorship and passion. I know this passion will continue into the future. Our team at KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE couldn’t be prouder of our dedicated leader.”  

The firm has conducted search assignments for many of the finest member-owned, developer-owned, golf, country, community-based, yacht, city, and athletic clubs in the country and worldwide.  The foundation of their accomplishments has been prioritizing the success of their clients, the professionals that they place, and the industry as a whole. Dick’s legacy has created better club leaders, analytical thinkers, and lifelong learners through continued education among both club professionals and board members. The non-profit organizations he supports have benefited from that same charisma, energy, and enthusiasm.  He makes it a mission, in part, to “have fun every day.” 

Dick Kopplin with entertainment legend Bob Hope

Dick Kopplin Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award2024-04-22T18:25:42+00:00

Richard Kopplin – Class of 2021 CMAA Fellows

Dick_Kopplin_CMAA_Fellow_1100x619

Congratulations to KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE’S founder, Mr. Richard M. Kopplin, who was inducted as a CMAA Fellow at the Club Management Association of America’s virtual World Conference and Club Business Expo, March 8-12, 2021. Dick is one of six club industry leaders who was selected for the 2021 class of Fellows.

Congratulations to these esteemed colleagues as well:

  • Albert B. Antonez, CCM, CCE
  • Haissam Baityeh, CCM, CCE
  • Richard H. Bayliss, Jr., CCM, CCE
  • LuAnn G. Giovannelli, CCM, CAM
  • Paula L. Kelly, CCM, CCE

Created in 2019, the CMAA Fellows Program is an honorary recognition program distinguishing CMAA members who epitomize the leadership, integrity, involvement, and contributions of club management professionals. Each of these individuals has made a significant impact toward the betterment of the profession and CMAA throughout their active careers.

The Fellows selection process includes nomination by a club management peer; an in-depth submission 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 third year, the CMAA Fellows community is now comprised of 24 individuals who serve as thought leaders, subject matter experts, and champions of the Association and the club industry at large.

The Class of 2019 Inductees: The Class of 2020 Inductees
  • Joseph F. Basso, MCM, CCE
  • Kevin E. Carroll, CCM, CCE
  • Jay DiPietro, CCM
  • J.G. Ted Gillary, CCM, CCE
  • Philip R. Kiester
  • Pasquale J. LaRocca, CCM, CCE
  • Michael G. Leemhuis, CCM, CCE, PGA
  • Donna Otis, CCM, CCE
  • Terra S.H. Waldron, CCM, CCE
  • Burton Ward, CCM, CCE
  • Christian W. Coulter, CCM
  • Thomas M. DeLozier, CCM, CCE
  • Anthony D’Errico, CCM, CCE
  • Matthew C. Guzik, CCM, CCE
  • Robert C. Josey, CCM, CCE
  • Luke A. O’Boyle, CCM, CCE
  • John M. Schultz, Sr., CCM, CCE
  • David H. Voorhees, CCM, CCE
Richard Kopplin – Class of 2021 CMAA Fellows2021-05-11T16:40:36+00:00
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