General Manager’s Log

by: Rhett J. Robicheaux, CCM

Ican’t believe summer is knocking at our doorstep already. We have blown through our Regatta and busy season so rapidly. With the world around us still trying to get back on its feet here at the Club, our members have surely found their safe haven. The Clubs usage has been remarkable to say the least. Thank you, membership, for your loyalty and support of the Club and for all the great things we are accomplishing.

Even though we are embarking on our slower season, I have a feeling it isn’t going to slow down too much. The number of new members who have joined over the last year and are using the Club will continue throughout the summer. We need to keep in mind that even though the crowds may not be as big as in the height of the season, reservations are needed in the areas we request them. And if you have a change in plans, please let us know.

Reservations – Please try and honor the location where you made a reservation, and if you decide to dine in another outlet of the Club, please notify your original reservation location. If you are unable to make your reservation, please contact us as soon as possible. It will permit us to offer a greater choice of times and size of party to your fellow members. A fee of $10.00/pp will be assessed for “no shows” which will compensate the staff that was assigned to your table reservation. Even if you dine in another outlet or decide to go to PAG without notifying us you will still be charged. Remember our staff depends on you being here, without you they do not get paid.

It’s also that time of year to start thinking about the future leaders of our Club. In June we will be sending out our SPYC Committee Interest Form for those of you who want to jump on the bus in making the St. Peterburg Yacht Club the best it can be. In Jim Collin’s business classic – “Good to Great”, he states you need the right people on the bus and in the right seats before deciding where it’s going.

In a Club, there is nothing more truthful than this. In a recent industry article, I read that General Managers from various clubs were surveyed on ‘what is a more important factor to effective club governance: board recruitment or board education? Two out of three GMs think board education is more important than recruitment. I look at it a little differently in that board education is fluid – it is ongoing but getting the right people on the bus in the right seats first is the most important task at hand. We are looking for a few good men and women - please let us know if you have interest in the future of your Club.

Summer is just around the corner and camps are filling up quickly. Be sure to add your name to the waiting list if you have an interested sailor. Our team will do their best to share what opportunities are available.

As you are already aware the Dock Project was approved and by June, we should see the demo stage of the project begin. We are very excited to get this project underway so we can all benefit from the state-of-the-art marina we will have.The Master Planning Committee is also working on a recommendation for the Board of Directors and Membership. More information on these developments in the coming months.

In closing, hurricane season is just around the corner so please go through your hurricane plan and be prepared well in advance. I look forward to seeing everyone in the coming months as I make my way around 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 (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

Active:

Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan & Amy Bailey

Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Stephanie Balboni

Mr. Stephen Barr & Miss Arianne Fernandez

Dr. Robert Drapkin & Mrs. Chitranee Drapkin

Mr. & Mrs. Drew & Karen Garner

Mrs. Anastasia Gray & Mr. Robert Gray

Mr. & Mrs. William & Angela Graziani

Mr. & Mrs. Robert & Valerie Kirby

Mr. & Mrs. Brett & Christie Kratzer

Ms. Julie McNeil & Mr. Brad Rainey

Ms. Paula Meyer & Mr. James Murray

Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin & Anne Pratt

Mr. & Mrs. Robert & Nancy Puglio

Mrs. Linda Irvine & Mr. Andrew Irvine

Dr. Charles Anthony

Ms. Leigh Howe

Mr. Daniel Gray

Ms. Jene C. Vanbutsel

Non-Resident:

Mr. & Mrs. Ananth & Priya Doraswamy

Active Boat:

Mr. & Mrs. Anthony & Barbara Binsfeld

Mr. & Mrs. Hunter & Kelly Cone

Mr. & Mrs. Steven & Shirley Dehmlow

Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Lisa Hinkley

Mr. Paul Ries & Ms. Musa Jaman

Mr. Greg Archambault & Ms. Anita Adams

Intermediate:

Dr. Abdullah Allawnha & Mrs. Lauren Allawnha

Ms. Sydney Gault & Mr. Harrison Gault

Ms. Alexandra Kamm & Mr. Stephen Perri

Ms. Courtney Miller

Mr. Richard Stout

Thank You Proposers!

David Mendelblatt

Waldemar Vidal

Benjamin Roddey

Matt Towery

Thomas Simmons

Thomas Thomas

Nancy Braamse

Ramon Bosquez

Cynthia Astrack

Harry DiOrio

Patrick Ryan

Matt Towery

Carolyn Zaleski

John Farese

Inside this Issue....

Kim & Paul Blake Alexander Janas

Warren Ross

Seth Puglio

John Farese

Brad Demint

Featured Article: 75th Running of the Winter Lightning Championship

Page 8-9

Event Calendars

Pages 12-13

What's Happening at Your Club?

Pages 16-23

Clubs Within the Club

Pages 24-31