General Manager’s Log

by: Rhett J. Robicheaux, CCM

How time flies when you are busy and having fun! The past couple months have been jam packed with record event attendance and great execution by the entire team here at the Club. Our team continues to grow due to the volume we are seeing at both clubhouse locations. With that growth we need to be sure we are giving our staff the tools they need to do their jobs well and create a culture for the team to stay intact.

Last month we brought in RCS Hospitality Group, a consulting group that trains in Private Club food and beverage service basics. We conducted a two-day food and beverage boot camp with approximately 100 of our employees in attendance. The boot camp was designed to quickly help our team understand private club service and the proper technical aspects of food service in a fun, engaging way. Topics that were discussed were – What is a private club? Who joins a private club? Why do people join private clubs?

Other topics included consistency/familiarity, member feedback, professional conduct, understanding demographics at a club, the art of enchanted service and the four basic needs of a member: 1) To feel welcome, 2) To feel comfortable, 3) To feel important and, 4) To feel understood. It was very rewarding watching our team members having fun and engaging in this awesome training session.

I would like to give you a brief update on the implementation of our new Electronic Garage Arms. We have created a checklist of things required before we go live; including new signage, complete back-end program implementation, member information, guest information, video tutorials, and valet services. Once we have all the checklist items locked down, we will then begin the process of issuing the new parking decals at the Front Desk of the Downtown Clubhouse beginning Spring 2023. Decals will not be mailed. The 2023 parking decals must be displayed on your vehicle no later than Tuesday, August 1, 2023, which will be our official "go live" date. More detailed information will be coming out very soon in a special parking email.

In closing, we have come a long way over the last year and a half – the completion of the Strategic Plan to the Master Plan is closing in, and our Dock Replacement Project is about to become a reality. Membership is up and approaching a wait list and usage at the Club is increased in all areas. Commodore Smith has so eloquently updated the state of each of the above projects in a little more detail in his article, as we are committed to transparency and keeping the membership informed. The future is looking very bright for SPYC and excitement is in the air.....stay tuned as there is more to come. I look forward to seeing everyone around one of our various facilities!

Cheers,

Rhett J. Robicheaux, CCM General Manager, COO

General Manager - Rhett J. Robicheaux,CCM, COO (727) 823-1219 | gm@spyc.org

Chief Financial Officer - Colleen Finney, CHAE (727) 823-1061 | controller@spyc.org

Director of Member Relations - Corey A. Hall (727) 892-6888 | Membership@spyc.org

Executive Chef - Christian Mayrhofer (727) 892-6889 | executivechef@spyc.org

Food & Beverage Director - Jason Hooper (727) 892-6896 | FBDirector@spyc.org

Catering Director/Clubhouse Services Manager

Shannon Nylander, CPCE ,WSET2 (727) 892-6882 | catering@spyc.org

Catering Assistant - Caroline Stehr (727) 892-6897 | cateringinfo@spyc.org

Member Services/Marketing Coordinator - Leah Wieter (727) 892-6893 | member.services@spyc.org

Beverage Director - Pierre Dumaine (727) 892-6880 | pierre@spyc.org

Director of Restaurants - Mary Lou Privitera (727) 822-3873 | Director.restaurants@spyc.org

Manager at Pass-a-Grille Clubhouse - Kerrie Paquette (727) 360-1646 | Kerrie@spyc.org

Waterfront Director - Shawn Macking (727) 822-3113 | Waterfront-director@spyc.org

Harbormaster, Chase Hudspeth & Dockmaster, John Toberman (727) 822-3227 | harbormaster@spyc.org - dockmaster@spyc.org

Youth Sailing Director - Todd Fedyszyn (727) 896-8101 youthsailingdirector@spyc.org

Facilities Manager - Steve Partridge (727) 892-6892 | facilitiesmgr@spyc.org

Housekeeping/Valet/Security Manager - Maritza Villanueva (727) 892-6894 | housekeeping@spyc.org

Downtown Clubhouse: (727) 822-3873

Pass-a-Grille Clubhouse: (727) 360-1646

Snell Isle Marina: (727) 895-8142 | Downtown Marina: (727) 822-3227

Sailing Center: (727) 822-3113

Business Office: (727) 892-6883/892-6884 | www.SPYC.org