Charlotte, NC (June 16, 2022) – Today, private club industry powerhouse Club Leadership Alliance (CLA) announced the hiring of John M. Schultz, CCM, CCE as the company’s first Chief Executive Officer. A partnership between three of the nation’s most highly regarded firms serving private clubs, CLA provides services, tools, and expertise specifically tailored to help private clubs thrive. Established in June 2020, the CLA is comprised of partner firms KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, McMahon Group, and Club Benchmarking. The addition of acclaimed, award-winning former private club General Manager John M. Schultz as CEO heralds an expansion of the CLA offerings and an increased industry presence for the Club Leadership Alliance and its partner firms.
After 18 years leading 36-hole member-owned Carmel Country Club (Charlotte, NC) to recognition as one of the country’s most successful, family-oriented private golf clubs, John Schultz brings numerous strengths to the Club Leadership Alliance and club clients seeking to improve the effectiveness and success of their governance and operations. Schultz’s achievements at Carmel Country Club included implementation of waiting lists in all membership categories, increase of initiation fees by 100%, and improvement of the club’s net worth by $40 million following $60 million of capital improvements that transformed the club’s culture and addressed every area of the member experience.
Schultz sees his new role at the Club Leadership Alliance as an exciting opportunity to partner with the industry’s best. “By combining forces around our shared expertise and vision, we’re helping private clubs increase their value, elevate member experiences, and achieve new levels of success in all areas.” Individually, the three CLA partner firms are national leaders in the private club industry, with over 3,000 clubs served. Together, KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, McMahon Group, and Club Benchmarking have collaborated for more than a decade. By pooling their expertise, data, and resources, the partner firms increase the reach of their individual offerings, which remain independent, while providing new and increased opportunities through the CLA for private clubs to become top performers.
Club Benchmarking Founder and CLA Partner Ray Cronin said Schultz brings a unique skillset to CLA that was the “secret sauce” behind Carmel becoming one of the industry’s greatest clubs. “The innovations, discipline, and vision John Schultz brought to Carmel’s strategic governance program have been emulated at top clubs nationwide. Now, as CEO, Schultz will work with the three CLA partner firms to drive the industry forward by helping clubs seeking to transform their leadership models and embrace best practices.”
Contact: Elizbeth Malcom, elizabeth@clubleadershipalliance.com
###
About CLA
KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE, McMahon Group and Club Benchmarking, three of the most highly respected firms serving private clubs, have established the Club Leadership Alliance. After more than ten years of working together independently, the firms felt it was essential to work more closely in order to more effectively serve clubs in all their operational, financial, staffing, strategic and facility aspects.