Stefan S.

About Stefan S.

I’m an operations-driven hospitality leader with 15+ years of experience in private club management, known for strengthening culture, stabilizing operations, and elevating the member experience.My career has centered on stepping into complex environments—where teams need clarity, food & beverage programs need discipline, and members expect both tradition and relevance—and helping organizations move forward with structure, transparency, and purpose.I believe great leadership is calm, honest, and people-focused. I’m known for developing talent, encouraging education and growth, and creating environments where teams feel supported and accountable. I value professional honesty, even when it’s uncomfortable, and I lead with integrity rather than optics.What matters most to me is building sustainable operations and communities that last—places where members feel they belong, employees feel invested, and standards are upheld without losing warmth or humanity.My leadership philosophy is simple: Be Jovial.Stay steady under pressure, treat people with respect, and never lose sight of why we do this work.I’m motivated by long-term impact—on people, culture, and organizations—and I’m always open to conversations about leadership, operations, and building environments where both families and teams thrive

Experience

1. Director of Operations

   Green Tree Country Club

   Nov 2024 — Present · Midland, TX, US

   Director of Operations for a $19M private country club, overseeing Food & Beverage, Racquets, and Facilities, with close coordination across Golf Operations to deliver a seamless, high-quality member experience.Lead day-to-day operations and long-term execution across multiple departments, focusing on service excellence, team development, and financial performance. Responsible for budgeting, labor management, and cost control, with an emphasis on improving efficiency and overall member satisfaction.Drive member engagement through elevated dining, events, and programming, while working closely with the General Manager, Board, and committees on strategic initiatives and club enhancements- Assisted the club through its first-ever assessment- Pool, Dining areas, Veranda, Meeting spaces, and redesign of the banquet displays - Designed and led the building of our pool bar in 3 weeks and under budget- Lead the team through training of our banquet software- Rebuilt our website and members\' app- Lead the development of a new training packet for the FOH Team- Established a robust member event schedule

Education

• Florida State University

  Bachelor of Science, Hospitality Administration/Management

  2005 — 2007

• Florida State College at Jacksonville

  Associate of Sciense (AS), Business Administration and Management, General

  2003 — 2004