Page 8 - Boca Club News - September '22

Page 8, Boca Club News

John Crean Retires from page 1

(Letter distributed to Broken Sound Club members upon • Mike Carona, Interim Treasurer as well as various local governmental agencies to help
John Crean’s retirement.) • Steve Liedman enhance Broken Sound’s standing within greater Boca
• Larry Davidson Raton. This relationship has benefited our membership
BROKEN SOUND CLUB Old Course Chairs tremendously. I am grateful to and extend appreciation to
Dear Members, • Ken Gershon the leadership of the City of Boca Raton, to the mayor,
As the old adage goes “all good things must come to • Noel Posternak and Broken Sound member, Scott Singer, and Council
an end”. I will leave it up to you to decide whether my • Larry “Doc” Moses members along with the staff for their collaboration.
20-year tenure was a benefit to Broken Sound Club. As • Stan Neimark Since the announcement that I am stepping down from
for me, it was never about the destination. The journey • Bob Verb my position as General Manager/Chief Operating Officer
was way more exciting, each day was different, one • Marty Epstein 18 months ago, the process of selecting my replacement
never knew what would arise nor could one anticipate Broken Sound Master Association Board Presidents and the steps necessary to choreograph the transition began
the number of daily topics that might surface, some more • Mort Korn in earnest. Understanding that we were still dealing with
challenging than others but always rewarding. My level • Jim Sousane the pandemic, other key staff members were also retiring,
of satisfaction would grow exponentially when presented • Howard Schwartz ongoing clubhouse construction, and renovation of the Old
with the opportunity to help individual members solve • Howard Tarler Course golf course added layers to this dance. Outgoing
their issue or address their concern. Also, in the course of my tenure, I oversaw the Club’s staff with the knowledge of and familiarity with the Club,
The last couple of years were particularly challenging. Departmental Directors who liaised with the Club’s community, and culture worked to ensure that the change
The onslaught of the COVID pandemic, “the thief of Committees who actively worked for the betterment of the was seamless. It was important that the search committee
time”, curtailed the enjoyment of so many of our favorite Club. We must always keep in mind that these bodies were, along with the Board, we got it right!
activities, most importantly spending time with our and always will be, populated with volunteer members. I am so pleased that Greg Devino was selected as your
families and friends. I always enjoyed working dinner on Thank you all for your dedication to the Club. new General Manager. I believe, and Greg would concur
Friday and Tuesday nights, zipping back and forth between One of our core values is “service”. Over the years, this that we had managed to execute a textbook transition and
the restaurants at the Main Clubhouse and the Old Course. deep-rooted culture has grown and evolved into a tight-knit onboarding phase; one that rarely happens in our industry.
It was my opportunity to catch up with you, our members, community of three thousand members willing to volunteer Seeing what he and his new team, working in conjunction
as managing day to day did not always permit personal their time and resources to make this Club special. This is with the existing team have accomplished in a relatively
member interactions. Spending time chatting, laughing, evident not just with the hundreds of members who volunteer brief period assures me that he will lead Broken Sound
clearing up rumors, and “boy” some rumors were, we’ll for the Club but by the outpouring of support when a member into an extremely exciting future. I personally wish Greg
just say, out there! Listening to you express both your is affected by a tragedy or is struggling with an especially and Lorant tremendous success as they embark upon a
concerns and compliments, fed my enthusiasm and passion challenging circumstance. This is when your neighbors show fantastic journey.
for the position I held. Unfortunately, the pandemic denied their true colors. They set aside their own needs and reach Thank you to the entire Broken Sound team. Each
the frequency of those interactions. out to lend assistance. person plays a crucial role in making Broken Sound
As we are all aware, COVID has severely impacted Our members have established grassroot volunteer spectacular… from the greens and grounds keepers,
everything from the supply chain to cost increases and networks and chapters with Hadassah, Boca Friends for landscapers, the gentlemen who cared for the best tennis
wage pressure. Our construction project did not escape the Cancer Research, Jewish Federation, and Blessings in a courts in South Florida, tennis Pros and their support
impact. When we look back and debrief on the challenges Backpack, just to name a few. staff, busboys, cooks, chefs, and the very important
that were placed upon us, I believe we will say that we The Club has many individuals who give freely of dishwashing staff, waiters and waitresses, the Food &
met and successfully overcame the obstacles presented themselves to their chosen charities. One such member is Beverage managers and staff, the spa and fitness team,
by COVID without fear and with clarity of purpose by Eileen Batt who gathered a few friends and began knitting pool attendants, valet staff, golf Pros and their staff, human
employing caution, gusto, and innovation. Setting aside hats which they donated to hospitals in South Florida for their resources, finance, membership, housekeeping, social, and
the roadblocks, this clubhouse promises to be spectacular. pediatric patients. Today, the group has grown to almost 30 IT staff.
I was fortunate to work with twenty different Club members who are committed to this worthwhile cause. I would be remiss if I did not single out two individuals
Boards who adopted policies and procedures and Another is Sandy Mischel who has dedicated his time and who have worked directly with me, hand in hand, over the
employed tactical and strategic approaches to running the energy to ensure that this community would have the ability to past 12 years, Lisa Fuller and Merryl Magnuson. They
“business of the Club” under the banner “members matter come together during the High Holy Days, thereby, creating are steadfast rockstars that work efficiently to make this
most”. I particularly enjoyed working with nine different a sense of security, belonging and family. Sandy was one of club “hum” every day and I very much thank them for the
Board Presidents whose personalities were uniquely the founding members who helped establish the “Broken terrific job they do.
distinct and employed various leadership styles. Sound Congregation” twenty years ago. These are just a few of the questions and comments
Board Presidents During our most challenging and life changing event, my coming my way over the past 18 months:
• Zoel Silverman wife Rachel and I were firsthand recipients of the “Spirit” of • What are you going to do?
• Burt Bines Broken Sound. The mass shooting on Valentine’s Day 2018 • You are too young to retire.
• Eric Bershad at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School directly affected • You are going to be bored very shortly.
• Nate Metzger my family. My daughter, Anna, was in the building where All this is true! Now that our daughter is in university
• Robert Breakstone this occurred. We are so incredibly touched and grateful for and thriving in that environment, Rachel and I are going
• Ivan Snyder your kindness and the outpouring of love shown to my family to take some time off to explore the next chapter. I already
• Don Schaevitz during that horrendous and traumatic time. We were, by the began by enrolling in a “Master’s Program” in strategic
• Franklin Loh grace of God, one of the lucky ones. leadership which should keep me busy for a while. Who
• Michael Mullaugh We are here for one another during life’s struggles and knows, someday, I may step back into the club industry.
As General Manager, I interacted and partnered with share in life’s celebrations. This is the culture that we have Again, time will tell.
the Club Treasurers, the members of the Old Course nurtured over the past 20 years. This is what has made me The only thing left to say is Thank You for sharing your
Committee and the Broken Sound Master Association swell with pride each day as I drove through the gates. This time with me and for making my journey extremely exciting
Board of Directors led by these individuals. is what makes a good club GREAT. In the years to come, it and rewarding. You have provided a life for me that only an
Treasurers is up to the members and staff to protect this culture. emigrant can dream of before they come to America. So, I
• Irwin Glick The Club’s reputation has flourished outside of the will not say goodbye… just…. See you around!!!
• Shelly Siegel gates. We are recognized and respected locally, nationally, Sincerely,
• Stu Daniels and internationally. We have had the opportunity on many John Crean
• Chuck Benjamin occasions to work with our local and state representatives P.S. Look out for the Book

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