From the President

Dear friends and Members, 2020 was incredibly challenging on so many levels that it is hard to fathom anything as difficult in 2021. Alas and as you know, we did have to close the Club for a week in February due to a historic freeze and subsequent grid shut down. Fortunately, this event was far more transitory than the pandemic and we returned to full operations when deemed safe for our staff and members alike. I am honored to be your president and, along with a terrific Board, enthusiastic to move forward after enduring 2020.

As mentioned, we have a fantastic Board and I encourage you to meet as many of these folks as possible during the year. We had an enormous amount of interest in the three open Board seats last fall and many thanks to all that were involved in the process and all that voted. The widespread participation in such a year demonstrates the value the Club brings to each one of our member families. All of us are more excited and engaged than ever about getting involved and helping. Awesome! Please know that all Board members are accessible and available to all of you so don’t be shy. Three Board members, Mary Majors Payne, Larry Labanowski, and Rick Walton (president, 2019) completed their distinguished service to the Club at the conclusion of 2020. They were tremendous Club advocates and their service and energy spent on the Club’s behalf is much appreciated. Our three new Board members, Melissa Stryker, Duy Nguyen, and Kim Wilson have hit the ground running and I am confident they will serve and represent you well. A very special debt of gratitude and thanks must be extended to Brenda Bowman, our 2020 Club President. Our Club was fortunate to have such a thoughtful and calm leader at the helm during an unimaginably turbulent year. Should you see Brenda on campus, please stop and thank her for her stellar service. She was remarkable under pressure and I look forward to her continued support and guidance as ex-officio in 2021.

Our 2021 goals are lofty yet attainable. We have, as many of you know, re-engaged GGA Partners to conduct a strategic plan and you will soon see tangible results. The Briar Club 2030 Plan will position the Club for success for many years to come and we are excited to start this process... again. We are also moving forward with Bistro renovation after placing this important project on hold in the spring of 2020. This area of the Club remains a focal point and we intend on improving the space dramatically. With the success of our recently configured and safer parking garage, you may be curious about the Club’s financial situation. In short, we are in a tremendously strong financial position and prepared to move forward with appropriate capital projects, campus maintenance, and servicing loan payments. Our management team and Board proactively took the steps (not always easy) to ensure the financial wellbeing of the Club when the pandemic changed the world.

I told the Board when elected president that we must continue to adapt, improvise, and overcome all obstacles as we all move closer to a new normal post-pandemic. We must also strive to improve on multiple fronts as well, and know we are all working together to ensure your visit to the Club is better than your previous visit. Our management team is accessible and sensitive to your concerns, and any time you have an inquiry or comment you should feel free to send an email to our General Manager, Daniel Moreno (daniel.moreno@thebriarclub.com) or our Assistant General Manager, Samantha Van Veen (samantha@thebriarclub.com). You will find them responsive and receptive. Club officers and directors are equally approachable, but what you tell us in passing may not be relayed as promptly and accurately as in a message you send directly to Daniel or Samantha. Nevertheless, feel free to stop me if we cross paths in the Fitness Center, on the tennis courts, or in the Clubhouse. My contact information is in the Membership Directory, so please contact me via any medium you prefer. Here is to a happy, productive, and healthy 2021!

Regards,

Dan Carter 2021 President, The Briar Club