Speakers

Joe Trauger is NCA’s president & CEO and an experienced government relations professional with numerous legislative and regulatory successes on Capitol Hill. He brings extensive experience and respect as an association executive with tremendous knowledge of the issues facing clubs today. He has a unique perspective into the private club industry as former president and current board member of Mount Vernon Country Club (an NCA member club) in Alexandria, Va. 

He previously was principal and founder of Northfield Strategies, an advocacy consulting firm. Prior to Northfield, Joe was senior vice president of policy and government relations at the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, and vice president of government relations at the National Association of Manufacturers. His Capitol Hill experience includes positions as senior policy advisor for then-House Majority Whip Roy Blunt; policy advisor for then-House Majority Leader Dick Armey; senior legislative assistant for former Congressman Sam Johnson and legislative assistant for former Senator Rod Grams. 

Joe is a competitive golfer, frequently playing in (and winning) charity and purse tournaments, and modestly boasts a single-digit handicap. 

Kevin Bozada, a Eugene, Oregon native, comes from a family deeply rooted in the hospitality industry. As a Certified Club Manager (CCM) and Certified Sommelier (CS), he has been a key leader at Augusta National Golf Club since 2014, currently serving as Senior Director of Club and Hospitality. 

In his role, Kevin oversees all Club and Hospitality operations, including member services across departments such as Front Office, Food & Beverage, Culinary, Lodging, Transportation, and Locker Rooms. During the Masters Tournament, he leads the recruitment, hiring, and training of over 2,800 Club Operations employees, while managing prestigious events like the Masters Champions Dinner and the New Champions Reception. 

Kevin has provided hospitality consulting for major international golf events, including The Open Championship in Scotland and England, as well as the Ryder Cup. A highly sought-after speaker and guest lecturer, he has shared his expertise with organizations such as the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) and the Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE), along with top university hospitality programs at the University of Georgia, University of South Carolina, Florida State University, University of Florida, and Auburn University. 

In addition to his professional contributions, Kevin serves on the CMAA National Communications Committee, National Club Associations Membership Committee, and has been a dedicated board member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America since 2012. Known for his thoughtful, detail-oriented leadership, he employs a process-driven approach to create unforgettable experiences and meaningful connections for members, guests, players, and staff. 

Jim James, CCM, has enjoyed an esteemed hospitality career for more than 40 years. For the past 30 years, he has served the membership and staff at the Augusta National Golf Club where he is chief club and hospitality officer. 

Under Jim’s leadership, Augusta National serves one of the most prestigious memberships in the world and consistently strives to be regarded as one of the finest service organizations and private clubs in the world.   

During the Masters Tournament, Jim’s team is responsible for overseeing all member, sponsor and player services. This includes member and player dining, sponsor and patron hospitality, golf operations, lodging, transportation, the iconic concession operation and other support services. The Club handles all food and beverage during the Masters, serving more than 15,000 a-la-carte meals per day, supported by 30 kitchens and 3,500 dedicated culinarians and service personnel. 

Jim was the 2013 Club Executive of the Year. 

Kristen LaCount, CCM, holds degrees in culinary arts and food service management from  Johnson & Wales University, Providence, R.I. She became an assistant manager at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., after graduation, and was named general manager in October 2020.  

Kristen earned her Certified Club Manager designation in November 2009. She has served as president of the New England Club Managers Association and is a committee member of the National Club Association. She has taught classes at local universities and national conferences.  

Kristen resides in Milton, Mass., with her husband, Dan Kerrigan, who is an owner of two restaurants. They have two children, Tenley (10) and Sam (8). 

Lyman Bullard, Jr., has been president of The Country Club, Brookline, Mass., since 2019. He has been with Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP for more than 40 years, most recently as senior counsel. He concentrates his practice on sports law, representing financial institutions and teams in commercial financing transactions. 

Jay Johnson is an accomplished Certified Club Manager and Certified Sommelier. He began his career in 2006 at Carolina Country Club in Raleigh, N.C., where he worked for six and a half years as assistant clubhouse manager. He then served as clubhouse manager at Governor’s Club in Chapel Hill, N.C., for more than seven years, the last three as assistant general manager.  

In 2019, he was hired as general manager/COO of Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kan., a Perry and Press Maxwell top 25 course. During his tenure, Jay was credited with raising the entire service level of the club and implementing processes and procedures in all areas. He is most proud of his relationship building with his team members, with a heavy focus on staff culture, teamwork, training, appreciation and a holistic approach to value-driven member experiences and relationship hospitality.  

 In April 2022, Jay accepted the assistant general manager position at Southern Hills Country Club. While this was a step down in title, the position was advertised as the hopeful heir to replace long-tenured and highly respected general manager Nick Sidorakis, who was scheduled to retire at the end of 2023. In February 2023, the Board of Governors confirmed Jay would indeed follow in Nick’s footsteps as the next general manager, and he assumed that role on January 1, 2024. Jay is active in NCA and The Club Managers Association of America as a chapter president.  

Dan Denehy, CCM, CHA, grew up in the hospitality business and applies a balanced, humanistic management style and an analytic approach to a club or resort’s needs, assessments, and solutions. His background includes senior management experience with the Walt Disney Company; the five-star, five-diamond Boca Raton Resort and Club; and several private member clubs. He served for 12 years as chief operating officer of Greenwich Country Club. Since then, he has conducted nearly 1,600 search and consulting projects in the private club and resort business. 

 Through the last 25 years, Dan’s consulting work has included executive search, operational reviews, new club startups, board governance, membership marketing, performance management and executive coaching. 

Dan earned his undergraduate degree in hotel administration from Bryant University and an MBA from the Johnson School at Cornell University. He earned his CCM designation in 1988 and was the country’s youngest Certified Club Manager. He is also a Certified Hotel Administrator. Dan is a former Board member of the National Club Association and a member of several private clubs, where he is involved in their governance. He also frequently contributes to industry publications and speaks on relevant issues to various constituencies. 

Nicholas Callaway is a publisher, app developer, television producer, brand creator, art gallerist, writer, photographer and teacher with more than 40 years at the leading edge of contemporary media and design. He is the founder and CEO of Callaway Arts & Entertainment, a content-driven, intellectual property creation and production company across media platforms, headquartered in New York City. CA&E specializes in print-based and e-books, computer-animated television series, mobile and tablet applications, and trend-forward, design-driven lifestyle brands.

Erik Anderson is founder and CEO of WestRiver Group, a thematically-driven investment platform that manages funds and builds companies in the global innovation economy. He has received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, was named by Goldman Sachs as one of the Top 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs and was also awarded the Transformative CEO Award by The CEO Forum Group. Early in his career, Seattle’s Puget Sound Business Journal recognized him as one of the Top “40 under 40” young achievers and emerging leaders.

Erik became vice chairman of Callaway Golf Company in March 2021 and was previously executive chairman of Topgolf Entertainment Group. Under his leadership, Topgolf became one of the fastest-growing sports and entertainment brands in the world. In 2020, he was ranked by Golf Inc. as the No. 4 Most Powerful Person in the Golf Industry and was No. 3 in 2019 and 2018.

He led four special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), in the decarbonization space, seeking to identify impactful companies with scalable solutions to decarbonize the global economy. He currently serves as chairman for Hyzon Motors Inc., a zero-emissions, hydrogen- powered commercial vehicle company, and serves on the board of Solid Power, an industry-leading developer of all-solid-state battery cells.

Erik also serves as chairman and CEO of Singularity Group, a global community using exponential technologies to tackle the world’s biggest challenges. He is vice chairman of ONEHOPE, a cause-centric consumer brand and technology company known for its wine and vineyard in Napa, Calif. He is also co-chair of TOCA, the world’s first technology-enabled soccer experience company. He founded America’s Foundation for Chess and for more than 10 years, served on the Board of Play Magnus, an interactive chess app inspired by Magnus Carlsen, reigning World Chess Champion.

Anderson was on the Board of Avista Corp (NYSE:AVA), an energy management company for more than 16 years, was partner at Frazier Healthcare Partners, CEO of Matthew G. Norton Co. and vice president at Goldman, Sachs & Co.

He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial engineering from Stanford University and graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in management engineering from Claremont McKenna College.

Internationally acclaimed wine educator, bestselling author and James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Kevin Zraly has been described as a naturally gifted speaker who is both refreshingly humble and candid. His passion for wine and food and his engaging teaching style help demystify the ever-changing world of wine.  

Kevin was the first cellar master and wine director of the renowned Windows on the World Restaurant atop One World Trade Center. Windows soon became the country’s top-grossing restaurant and, with Kevin at the helm of its highly recognized wine list, sold more wine than any restaurant in the world. He established his Windows on the World Wine School, which lasted 40 years and graduated more than 20,000 students. Kevin worked at Windows on the World from the day it opened in 1976 until September 11, 2001.

He is the author of eight books, including the best-selling Windows on the World Complete Wine Course, now in its 35th edition with more than 4 million copies sold. He is also the author of Kevin Zraly’s American Wine Guide; The Ultimate Wine Companion, a compilation of 40 world-renowned wine writers; and Red Wine. His memoir, A Glass Half Full: A Cellarmaster’s Journey Through Wine and Life, will soon be released.

Kevin created the New York We Experience which, as of 2024, has generated over $40 million in donations that have gone to the scholarship foundation. He’s been featured in The New York Times, People magazine The Wall Street Journal, GQ magazine, Newsweek and USA Today and on national and syndicated television and radio shows. He co-hosted the Food Network show “Wine A to Z,” captivating his audience with his signature charisma and enthusiasm.

He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Culinary Institute of America (since 1990) and teaches the Windows on the World Wine School Virtual One Hour Wine Expert classes as well as Master and Advanced wine classes.

Keith Pabian is founding partner of Pabian Law, a national hospitality immigration firm that specializes in H-2B visas and year-round immigration options. He is also co-founder/CEO of Seasonal Connect, a staffing and operational solution for seasonal organizations across the country.  

Keith has a unique specialization in working with hospitality organizations with H-2B visa petitions. He regularly presents on immigration topics affecting hospitality organizations and has won numerous awards for his work, including Boston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award, being named a Super Lawyer and Super Lawyers Rising Star for the past 10+ years (top 5% of attorneys nationally), recognition in the International Who’s Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers, Small Business of the Year and more. 

Keith graduated from Union College and the Villanova University School of Law. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife, two sons, six chickens and three ducks. 

As Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary for the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), Kimberly Simpson is responsible for ensuring that NACD’s operations meet its strategic objectives. She has specific oversight responsibility for the team that engages NACD’s 23,000+ members, NACD Directorship Certification®, the NACD Chapter Network in 35 cities, marketing, and NACD Board Search. She also supports two boards of directors (NACD and the NACD Corporate Directors Institute). Kimberly frequently speaks and writes on governance matters.

Prior to joining NACD, Kimberly held a number of executive leadership roles. She served as executive vice president at Sanford Health, the largest rural, not-for-profit health care system in the nation with locations in 126 communities in nine states and in countries such as Ghana, Africa. She also was the inaugural president of the Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation, an organization dedicated to raising funds to advance breast cancer research and treatment.

Formerly the chief operating officer for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Kimberly led the network of more than 120 Susan G. Komen for the Cure affiliates across the United States and had responsibility for the organization’s legal, human resources, information technology, and internal communications functions. Additionally, she was the secretary to the board of directors and was a board member of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance, Komen’s Washington, D.C.-based policy organization. Prior to joining Komen, Kimberly was vice president and general counsel at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, the top pediatric orthopedic hospital in the country.

Kimberly received her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley, and is admitted to practice law in California, Virginia (as in-house counsel), and Texas (inactive). She has a Master of Arts in journalism from The University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish summa cum laude from The University of Alabama. Kimberly was a U.S. Marshall Memorial Fellow to Europe in 2005.

Robert L. Smith, II is a political operative who originally hails from Oklahoma but now splits his time between Oxford, Miss., and Washington, D.C., Rob Smith represents a diverse client base, including the defense, healthcare, tribal issues, environmental, financial services and transportation sectors.

Rob began his career on Capitol Hill as military legislative aide to House Armed Services Committee Member, Congressman Joel Hefley (R-Colo.), where he worked on defense procurement and military construction issues. He later went on to serve as legislative director for Congressman Wes Watkins (R-Okla.), a member of the Ways and Means Committee, where he focused on trade and tax issues.

Upon leaving the Hill, Rob joined Sun Microsystems, where he represented the company on numerous legislative and regulatory matters, including domestic and international tax, broadband, employee compensation and benefits and accounting and export controls.

Throughout his time in Washington, D.C., Rob has remained politically active. In 2004 and 2008, he served as a professional volunteer in the Official Proceedings Division of the Republican National Committee. In that role, he was responsible for the logistics and hospitality of more than 20 members of Congress and VIPs. Additionally, he serves on the steering and finance committees for many elected officials and on the Board of Directors of the National Club Association.

Rob earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina.

Christopher Wyles, CCM, CCE, ECM, is general manager/COO at Bald Peak Colony Club in Melvin Village, N.H., located on Lake Winnipesaukee since 2014. Prior to Bald Peak, he was general manager of Talbot Country Club in Easton, Md. There, he served on the Greater Baltimore Club Managers Association Board of Directors for six years and was president for two years. Prior to his experience at Talbot Country Club, Christopher was the director of club operations at Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington. Before that, he served in a variety of roles with the 1492 Hospitality Group based in the mid-Atlantic. He was awarded with the Mead Grady Excellence in Club Management Award in 2018. He spoke at the 2017, 2018 and 2019 CMAA World Conferences. In Maryland, he served as a mentor for Talbot Mentors from 2007 to 2014. He served two terms on the Talbot Mentors Board of Directors from 2009 – 2014. After moving to New Hampshire, he began a weekly Meals on Wheels route.

Christopher was born and raised in Delaware and graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in hotel/restaurant and institutional management. He and his wife, Lana, have four sons between them and live in Wolfeboro, N.H., where they enjoy boating along with all of the activities on Lake Winnipesaukee. While he does not play as much golf as he would like due to the demands of club management, he has maintained a single digit handicap for over 20 years.

The Future of H-2B & Employment-sponsored Immigration for Clubs

Join Keith Pabian of Pabian Law for an interactive session to dive into the current state of staffing and club operations at private clubs.  Through a mix of polling, roundtable discussions, and education, this session will discuss the biggest issues facing the club industry.  Topics such as hiring, retention, utilizing international staff (J-1 and H-2B visa holders), housing, daily transportation, employee engagement, and more will be discussed.  Attendees will learn industry best practices, and will work together to identify practical solutions to these issues.  Whether you are a club veteran or someone new to the industry, this session is not to be missed as everyone will leave with an understanding of the staffing and club operations landscape and ideas of how to implement real solutions at their clubs. 

Food & Beverage Education Session with Kevin Zraly

The Nose Knows! Drawing upon his 50 years of wine writing and education experience through the Windows on the World Wine School and his writing of the Windows on the World Complete Wine Course, Kevin Zraly informs, inspires, and entertains. You will walk away buzzing with knowledge (and a little wine) and ready for more!

Executive Transitions Panel

This panel, featuring three distinguished leaders from top private clubs across the country along with the president of a renowned executive search and management firm, will delve into the nuances of successfully transitioning executive-level staff within private clubs. Attendees will gain valuable perspectives on best practices for navigating executive transitions, ensuring smooth leadership changes, and fostering long-term success. Ideal for general managers and board members, this session offers practical advice, real-world case studies and actionable strategies to elevate your club’s leadership team. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from the experts!

The Exponential Age: The Impact of Technology 

Technological advances are accelerating at an exponential rate and whether we realize it or not, it will dramatically affect our lives sooner than most believe. Artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology and other advances will impact our quality of life and how we interact with everything from our clubs to our government. Erik Anderson, chairman & CEO of the Singularity Group, a global community using exponential tech to tackle the world’s biggest challenges, will share his thoughts on the rapid development of technology and what we all can do now to prepare.

Evolution of Excellence Panel: A View from Augusta National

The pursuit of excellence at clubs is never-ending and always evolving. This inaugural session leading into the Excellence in Club Management Awards® Dinner & Gala offers a unique opportunity to hear from clubs at the vanguard of delivering the ultimate in member experience from the moment members arrive at the club. Join Augusta National Golf Club’s Senior Director, Club and Hospitality Operations Jim James, and Senior Director of Club and Hospitality Kevin Bozada, CCM, CS, for a look into their culture of outstanding service and overall excellence, with time for questions and plenty of takeaways you can consider at your club.

Inside the Boardroom: Board Expectations & Trends

Are board member expectations changing? How can clubs ensure their boards are performing optimally? National Association of Corporate Directors COO & General Counsel, Kimberly Simpson, will share insights on the expectations of board members, trends in corporate governance, and how it translates to organizations.

Government Relations In A New Era

Government relations and issue management have changed significantly since the swearing in of a new congress and inauguration of President Trump in January, and it seems like nothing is off the table. NCA Government Relations Chair Chris Wyles moderates a discussion with Rob Smith and Joe Trauger that will cover all the issues the association is working.