“Not only did KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE provide us with an outstanding slate of candidates to interview and ultimately from which to make our selection, Mr. Kurt Kuebler was an absolute pleasure with whom to work. All facets of the process were performed in a timely fashion with utmost efficiency. The breadth of knowledge regarding this industry that KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE possesses is most impressive.”
“Tom I would like to personally thank you and your firm in assisting us in our GM/CEO search. While the thought of finding a replacement seemed daunting you made the task manageable and fluid. From our first meeting to the final proposal and hire program along with the list of candidates you presented were top notch. I congratulate you and your firm on a job well done and would not only keep you in mind for future needs but also recommend your services to others that may require it.”
“Tom, simply said, the Board and members that engage with John on a regular basis could not be more pleased. John is everything and more than you had suggested he would be for Aronimink. Many of us knew Aronimink was a good operation but believed we could or should be better. John has the vision of what Aronimink can be and awareness of what the process is to make that happen. His enthusiasm is contagious. We have quite a hill to climb to make Aronimink what we aspire to be, and with John at the helm, I have never felt so confident that it is achievable.”
“Thank you for your assistance with our Director of Food & Beverage search. Our Director of Clubhouse Operations and I are very pleased with the quality of the candidates presented and are convinced we have found the right person for the job. It is important to note the search took place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and you kept the ball rolling.
This is the third time we have hired KK&W for a job search. Our Director of Golf has been with us since 2015 and our Director of Clubhouse Operations has been with us since 2016. Thank you for your good work.”
“Sam, starting at our first meeting you gave us excellent direction in how to proceed with this seemingly overwhelming task. The process you provided gave us step by step instruction. You helped us to make sure we were all looking for the same candidate qualifications. And you walked us through the discussion of strengths and weaknesses of the candidates presented.
Many of us were initially hesitant to use a search firm due to the cost. The feeling was that certainly we could do this in house. Everyone now realizes that we could never have obtained the extensive contacts or the depth of vetting that KK&W has access to. Captiva Island Yacht Club was able to choose the right General Manager having reviewed many well-qualified candidates.
I was reassured that we had followed protocol because you were guiding me all along the way.”
“The process could not have gone better. Your connections, expertise and guidance were the foundation for our Board’s ability to evaluate the best candidates and to think clearly about securing a bright management future for our Club.”
” Lisa and Kurt, from our initial meeting to simply learn of the search process, to the hiring of KK&W, to the creation of our candidate profile, to the formation of our Search Task Force, to the scheduling of time lines and interviews, and throughout the selection process, KK&W was there to guide us, answer questions, and provide additional materials we requested. Whether a weekend, an evening, or early morning, you both were there – ready to meet our needs and ever-changing schedules and plans. You did so with positive attitudes, promptness, and clarity. Your guidance and professionalism were top-notch, and we now have the General Manager we wanted to prove it.”
“Tom, I just wanted to let you know that the first month of the new General Manager era has been an eye opener, in a great way. What a professional, and a leader in so many ways. Thank you for bringing him to Brooklawn.
I will touch base sometime in February to engage KK&W for a board “refresher” workshop as we will have a couple new board members and will include our new general manager as well.”
“Thanks so much for the great job you did for St. Clair Country Club Members. Very focused, very efficient and incredibly organized – we could not have asked for anything better.
I believe we have hired the right person for the GM/COO position. I’m excited and looking forward to positive changes coming soon. Thanks, again, for leading us to this new hire!”
“We interviewed several well qualified search firms to assist us, but you and your team immediately stood out from all the rest. Your expertise, easy accessibility and complete confidence that we would end up in a better place as a result of the process was incredibly reassuring. From the start of our search process, your systematic and comprehensive approach to determining what our club needed from a General Manager and how you were going to find us that person was spot on. You outlined exactly what would occur at each step of the way, and set a reasonable and efficient timeline. On behalf of our search committee, the Board of Governors and all the members of Burning Tree Country Club, please accept our sincere appreciation for your hard work and the extremely successful outcome.”
“In as much as we have not had to conduct a search in quite some time, you and your firm brought professionalism and structure to something we used to perform on our own. You set the bar extremely high for all further searches and instead of wondering how we will do them, we now know to just call KK&W. Every part of the search, from the pre-meetings to the background screenings to the final negotiations, was conducted on an extremely professional level to which we were deeply impressed.”
“I wanted to reach out to you to convey our gratitude for the excellent work you and your team did on our recent Golf Course Superintendent search. It was a very smooth and well organized effort and we could not be more pleased with how it turned out. We appreciated the deep industry knowledge and contacts that both you and Armen brought to the process which resulted in an excellent group of candidates for our consideration. You did an outstanding job reviewing the candidates and helping us select finalists and ultimately a new Superintendent of the highest caliber and fit to meet the standards we were seeking at Knollwood Club.”
“On behalf of our entire search committee here at Skokie Country Club I want to thank you for all the good work you provided on our behalf in finding our replacement for Chuck. I’m sure this was one of the more unique paths to a successful outcome you’ve been involved with but without the full market examination, candidate feedback, profile comparisons, and intelligence gathered throughout we never could have landed where we did with confidence.
I particularly appreciate both of your attention to detail and availability throughout. Despite my reaching for you on Sundays, Friday nights and in the middle of nights you guys were always on full alert with help.
Thank you again for all your time, energy, counsel and assistance on our behalf.”
“I am happy to report that Joe has hit the ground running and has quickly assumed command of Waynesborough Country Club’s operation. The Board, the Search Committee and I have every confidence that he is an excellent fit for our Club, providing us the leadership we need, we hope for many years. If it is any indication of his performance, a member of our management team saw me on Joe’s 4th day at WCC and said, “It’s nice to see your normal smile is back, Alexis.” I am quite happy to be out of the hospitality management business, knowing the Club is in the hands of an actual expert.
Thank you for your assistance throughout the GM search process. I appreciate your responsiveness, patience, and willingness to adapt to meet our needs as we moved through the selection process. I look forward to a continuing relationship with you and your firm.”
“No other firm comes close to contributing as much time, energy and resources into the club industry and, as former club managers, all of the key players at KK&W have an intimate understanding of the club business and what it takes to be successful in it. They care passionately about the club industry, the people that serve in it, and the communities that are served by it. Truly, these are club professionals and outstanding characters in every way.
During our recent search for a Director of Golf, KK&W was able to secure well-qualified applicants from America, Europe and the Middle East. We used other channels to try and source well-qualified candidates but ultimately everyone that made our shortlist came through KK&W.”
“I greatly appreciate your commitment to our industry and the level of professionalism that you and the entire KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE firm provides for Clubs, Boards and Club Managers. I attribute our successful searches, two in the last 12 months, to the outstanding Club Industry professionals Lisa Carroll and Sam Lindsley. Additionally, your firm has developed impressive and comprehensive candidate and Club profile processes that ensure that the very best and appropriate candidates are presented for consideration. If I may ever be of service to KK&W, please don’t hesitate to call on me.”
“Lisa orchestrated a complex, even daunting, process with ease and managed everything from the initial recruitment to candidate testing, tours and interviews and she did it with a great deal of enthusiasm, care and precision while searching for our Executive Chef. Perhaps most importantly, though, Lisa’s vast network of culinary professionals yielded a few compelling candidates that we simply could not have found on our own, one of whom we ultimately hired.”
“Armen Suny and the partners of Kopplin Kuebler & Wallace did an exceptional job with our recent Director of Golf Courses and Grounds Maintenance search. In addition, fielding a pool of highly qualified candidates for us to consider – so much so, we felt as though we couldn’t make a mistake – the personal service that Armen and the team provided us throughout the process was both noticed and appreciated. Armen’s professionalism and technical expertise, along with an intuitive ability to cull out and help us see “the intangibles,” were all instrumental in finding the ideal candidate and a perfect fit for our organization.“
“Our Director of Golf Course Operations search was one of the smoothest process I have ever been a part of. The exceptional candidate slate prepared by Armen Suny and the rest of the KK&W team was well thought out and presented. The most difficult portion of the process was making a final selection on all the great candidates presented to us, which is a great problem to have during candidate searches in the current competitive labor market. Everything from candidate material presentation to sample membership communications were done first class and was incredibly valuable aiding us through our search process. Our membership could not have been more pleased with how the process and selection was conducted.”
“Kurt, I just wanted to touch base with you to communicate that we could not be happier with our new general manager. I always felt the true test of whether we made the right decision would be how he handled the budget process and having just completed same, I would have to say he aced the exam. For the first time in many years, we implemented a zero based budgeting approach (at least for labor this year) and expanded the list of GL accounts to provide needed detail to zero base the rest of the budget next year. His past experience really came in handy as he built out a whole new budget template that provided a lot more transparency into the main financial drivers behind the numbers. I can honestly say it is the least amount of time I have spent generating the budget in the last several years.”
“Kurt, you were very helpful in giving us guidance, reassurance and options. I have been on plenty of personnel searches in the course of my career, but I have never seen a more thorough investigation of candidates. I am grateful to you for your personal commitment to the selection process which includes a network that club members could not bring to the table. You were very accessible and provided much needed guidance that enabled us to select the best candidate with confidence.”
“During our meeting that lasted far longer than the promised 30 minutes, you and your partners politely but directly pointed out to me that my plan for the future management of my club was not optimal and not consistent with best practices in the country club community. You provided me reasons, data and a revised plan. I ended the meeting by asking if you would perform the search that I initially thought best and your response was “no” with an explanation that you would not take on a search that you did not feel you could successfully accomplish. I left the meeting believing your firm was committed to providing its clients with great work and superior results. My belief has been confirmed by your entire process, your personal guidance and our result.”
“Armen, from our first meeting and then continuing throughout the process of screening, interviewing and selecting the next Head Golf Course Superintendent, it has been a pleasure and honor to work with you – and it is quite clear why you and KK&W are the best in your business.
I have often been told as “words of wisdom” from gentlemen who have mentored me “to always follow a quiet leader, who has a steady, reassuring hand and a keen, but disarming intellect”….and everyone involved in this process at CCB has been fortunate to have you as such a leader. With a deft touch, you guided us through what could have been a difficult project, and in the end giving us a marvelous result.
On behalf of the Search Committee members, the Board of Governors, the members of CCB and myself, again, my sincerest thanks.”
“You and your firm got a lot of praise from the Executive Committee for partnering with the Search Committee to bring forward two outstanding finalists . . . either of whom would have been great GM’s for Merion. The process and the result were awesome and you guys should be proud of yourselves. Not only did we get a great GM, but we also learned so much about best practices and will use that new found knowledge to help us get to the next level of member experience.”
“Thanks for your professional leadership on our search for a new GM at Orchard Lake Country Club. You have done a wonderful job that will benefit OLCC now and into the future. Your firm’s process is excellent from beginning through end, including the Board retreat. I’m particularly impressed with the team building your approach provides among the Search Committee members to help us reach consensus. After working with you over the last 4 months, I’m a stanch advocate for any club designating a separate Search Committee and engaging your firm for many reasons, including those mentioned above.”
“Please allow this letter to thank you all for the professionalism displayed by your firm and, especially, Lisa Carroll during our recent Executive Chef search. You all should be very proud of Lisa’s work and how well she represents your company.
I have always been impressed by your firm via the K2 Summits and other education you all have provided to Club Managers. However, having had the experience of employing you all for the first time for a search process, I can tell you that you all have once again ”over delivered” in my expectations. I and the New Orleans Country Club continue to be “raving fans” of KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE. Thank you for all you do for our industry.”
“Lisa, thank you so much for the success we had in hiring Chef Steven. I think he is exactly what we need and I look forward to his arrival. Once again you show why Kopplin, Kuebler and Wallace is the top search firm in the industry. Professional, quality and doing the right thing is what you and the company is all about. Thank you so much for helping me be a better GM and successful at my job. You are the best!!”
“Upon completion of our Gleneagles Board of Governors orientation, it was clear to me that you possessed the skills needed to undertake the search for our Director of Golf Course Maintenance, one of the pivotal positions at Gleneagles. Throughout the entire process you were professional, very communicative and left no stone unturned once the final candidate list was submitted for our review. Your selection of Tim Hiers to assist in the technical aspect of the search was the perfect choice. My committee members continue to compliment me on the selection of KK&W and the process that you took us through.”
“Your firm presented itself with an impressive record of achievement in aiding several famous and prestigious Clubs around the country as well as Clubs of similar size and annual budgets as our own. We conducted our own inquiries with some of those Clubs and decided to ask you to conduct our search. We decided well and are very pleased with the professional manner in which you conducted the effort and the final result.”
“Dick, I’ve now used your company to lead searches for a Golf Course Superintendent, a Director of Golf/Athletics and now an Executive Chef—which have all resulted in some of our greatest team members.
On behalf of Congressional Country Club, we wanted to send you a note of thanks for the efforts that Lisa Carroll and KK&W put in on behalf of our recent Executive Chef search. And while effort is important, it is really her results that matter, and we could not be happier with those.
Thank you for what you do for our industry, and more importantly, thank you for making our Clubs better through your leadership.”
“Through the initial screens, development of resumes, short lists and ultimate candidate interviews, the process went very smoothly. Your professionalism, expertise and knowledge of the current marketplace were instrumental in our finding the right candidate for our position. Please know your assistance was much appreciated.”
“Your contacts and knowledge in the industry are invaluable. Your support, guidance and involvement throughout the process were as advertised and greatly appreciated. Hiring KK&W was one of the best decisions we have ever made.”
“Your disciplined, professional approach from beginning to end enabled me and the Search Team to focus on the potential candidates and not the process. I personally want to thank you for taking full responsibility for all of the administrative aspects of the search, selection and hiring process and for the timely and informative communications throughout. You are a true professional and I sincerely enjoyed working with you on this very important project.”
“On behalf of the Search Committee and the Baltusrol Board, we would like to thank you for the outstanding service you gave us during our GM/COO search. Your leadership, guidance and superior communication skills helped us immensely during the process. Baltusrol is delighted to have landed our number one choice and I commend you on your efforts.”
“Every aspect of your search process was thorough, efficient and ethical. Your open lines of communication with each member of the Committee and our acting GM were very much appreciated and helped make a challenging task much easier. We were very impressed by your effort to determine that this would be a good career move for the individual ultimately selected.”
“I just wanted to express to you a sincere “thank you” on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Club for a job “well done” in finding our new General Manager. You made the difficult process of hiring a new GM much simpler and saved our Search Committee a great deal of time and effort. I was personally very happy that you were by my side all the way through this process.”
“On behalf of the search committee and the board of directors, I want to thank you so much for all your efforts on our behalf in our very first general manager search. You were wonderful in guiding us through the process every step of the way.
The structure and professionalism you brought to the process was also very welcome. We are looking forward to our upcoming offsite this summer as we work to make sure that we set our new General Manager up for success and make the most of our investment in professional club management.”