EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Barry Webb

DIRECTOR OF TENNIS

What led you to your current job? I’ve been in the tennis industry for 25 years. My fi rst head professional position was at Coosa Country Club in Rome, Georgia, which then led to a director’s position at The Country Club of Birmingham. The next transition led to my current role as Director of Tennis here at The Clubs by JOE. I consider it a privilege to bring my prior experience with country clubs to a private club in a resort setting.

Describe a typical workday? It consists of teaching private, semi-private and group lessons for both adults and juniors. I also address any Member needs, concerns or questions, recruit players for participation in tennis events, monitor the facilities, and manage merchandise and operational needs for the tennis department — all while trying to make each Member experience better than the day before. What I really enjoy most is seeing players improve their game and watching them learn things on the court that translate into life lessons when off the court.

What is your favorite part about what you do? I’m passionate about helping people. I appreciate the fact that I have the opportunity to lift people up when they are down, encourage them to keep pressing forward when times are challenging and to believe in themselves no matter what situation they may encounter.

What three words would best describe you? Driven. Grounded. Connected. I’m driven by working hard and take great satisfaction from being busy and productive. I’m grounded by my core values that are unchanging and defi ne purpose for my life. I’m connected by meeting new people and building relationships.

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen during your time here? The biggest changes I have noticed is the growth and engagement of the membership over the past three years. With more growth of our membership, we obviously see more utilization of Club amenities; and with increased engagement, we have seen more participation in our various Club events.

What motivates you to work hard? I’m motivated by knowing that I can make a diff erence. What I mean by that is I know that if I work hard and do the best job I can, I will continue to grow the Clubs’ tennis program, cultivate strong relationships, create support for events and ultimately improve our Members’ experiences.

What advice would you give your younger self? Respond to principal not pressure, be very particular about your choices and decisions, always believe in yourself and abilities and be yourself because everyone else is already taken.

Director of Tennis Barry Webb poses with some students from his junior class. Webb teaches private, semiprivate and group lessons for both adults and juniors.