ENDORSEMENTS
1100 South Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.376.8889
To Whom It May Concern:
It has been my pleasure to know and work with Jim Shumate in the Private Club industry for many years. Jim served as my GM/COO when I owned Bella Collina Towne & Golf Club in San Clemente, CA, and he did an amazing job.
Jim has that rare ability to understand the needs and concerns of the membership and is extremely positive in his ability to address any member issue. Building relationships is one of his strongpoints, and he understands what it takes to be successful in a private club environment. He truly is the “Face of the Club” when he’s in charge, and the cub is a better place because of it. When it comes to developing and mentoring staff, he is one of the best I’ve seen, and he always achieves a high degree of loyalty and cooperation with his subordinates.
In the everchanging world we live in, someone with Jim’s expertise in all facets of the hospitality industry is a key to success. His food and beverage experience is second to none, and his ability to lead with a servant’s attitude allows him to stand out in the private club world. He also has an extensive corporate background, which has provided him with an outstanding financial acumen. He understands the budgetary and financial processes, P&L reviews are an ongoing strength, and he is very proactive regarding the financials.
I wholeheartedly endorse and recommend Jim Shumate for any GM position in private clubs. Jim is the type of manager and leader who will undoubtedly move the operation forward and continue to achieve the type of success I myself have already witnessed.
Please feel free to contact me directly and I will be happy to discuss Jim’s qualifications in further detail.
Sincerely,
John Fornaro
John Fornaro
Publisher, The Boardroom Magazine
The Ghatan Family Office
10724 Wilshire Blvd, Penthouse 1505
Los Angeles, CA 90024
415.720.5702
To Whom It May Concern:
In my capacity as Chairman of the Board at Riviera Tennis Club, I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know Jim Shumate on a very personal and professional level. He is able to emphasize the great value of member satisfaction and leadership with the staff at the club. Jim reminds his team that they are representing themselves, the Riviera, and creating a lasting impression for members and their guests for years to come. Considering Jim for a GM/COO position would be tremendous coup for any club, especially one that is held in high esteem and wishes to enhance their operation.
Jim is constantly looking for ways to improve the member experience with creative ideas and win-win situations for the club and their vendors. He is exceptional in that way; an extremely well-rounded individual. You are always getting more than what you originally thought with Jim, even spending multiple nights a week sleeping at the club to ensure smooth operations. Simply put, he is dedicated and loyal to the club, his job, and the team. Jim has brought numerous financially lucrative events to the Riviera. His experience in the Food and Beverage field is a bonus to any employer, as he fully understands the needs of that department.
Integrity, loyalty, and a strong work ethic are but a few of Jim’s best qualities. He is able to form lasting relationships rather easily because of his outgoing and infectious personality. When the membership thinks of the Riviera, they think of Jim, and know they can depend on him for whatever they need. If it can be done for a member, Jim will get it done quickly and efficiently.
I am certain that is the exact type of leadership that any prestigious club is looking for. You and your members would be very fortunate to have the benefit of Jim in a leadership position at your club.
I give him my highest recommendation for the position of General Manager in the private club industry. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me directly at 415-720-5702 or ghatan@gmail.com.
With warm regards,
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Shawn Ghatan
Shawn Daniel Ghatan
Principle/Managing Member, The Ghatan Family Office
Chairman, The Riviera Tennis Club Board of Directors
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to highly recommend Mr. Jim Shumate, an individual I believe would be a tremendous asset to any private club operation.
In addition to enjoying memberships at SeaCliff Country Club in Huntington Beach, Wood Ranch Country Club in Simi Valley, and MountainGate Country Club in Los Angeles, I am a member at both Riviera Tennis and Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, CA.
I was the youngest serving Chairman of the Board of Directors for the tennis club, and during the last 13 years have served as Chairman of the Board of Riviera Country Club.
I have known Jim Shumate for many years, and it was a blessing to see Riviera reach out and make him an integral part of its management team.
Though Riviera is a non-equity club, Jim reaches out and engages its members and has the qualities of listening, looking each person in the eye during conversation, and making that person or group feel like he or she, or a group as the case may be, feel extremely important.
Jim follows up on requests and pays attention to detail. His record keeping and outline of ideas are always easy to read and extremely organized for discussion and consideration.
We feel he represented Riviera at its best, always in coat and tie, polished shoes and well-groomed, which today, is not taken for granted.
Our Club’s only challenge with Jim, and we realize we will never solve it, is that we cannot ‘clone’ him.
Jim quietly yet diligently, with no fanfare, addresses very small and large tasks with enthusiasm. Because of his continued success, Jim’s responsibilities continue to grow, and it’s been one success followed by another.
Jim has turned the Tennis Club into a friendly, productive, and profitable fine-tuned machine. He was involved in the renovation of the club’s hotel rooms, and has since marketed the rooms and significantly improved room occupancy.
His presence and interaction with ownership, the General Manager, the Head Chef and Sous Chef and the numerous long-term, newer and contract employees is a lesson for all to watch.
Employee and Member morale, enthusiasm, and productivity vastly improved during Jim’s time here at the Riviera. Jim’s ability and experience with planning, and adhering to a budget for a small or large event is amazing, and always accurate.
Riviera is on the national and international stage once a year, hosting the PGA’s annual tournament in Los Angeles. Watching Jim during the tournament preparation, actual tournament and take-down, is interesting and impressive. He may be conversing with Phil Mickelson or Tiger Woods one minute, assisting the Chef or servers behind the scenes at another, or helping an official with the PGA solve an immediate problem. His ability to multi-task and get things done is truly amazing.
Jim’s helpful involvement with our Women’s Intercollegiate Tennis Tournament, of which I was one of the 3 founders, and which had been hosted each fall for 30 years at the Tennis Club, was phenomenal.
He gets along with every type of personality, which is a unique talent and gift unto itself.
Jim’s vast knowledge of finance, budgets, preparation, knowing who to call and ask for help, vendors or otherwise, along with his people skills, kindness, empathy, and determination, all make him a rare asset in the club and hospitality industry.
And yet he is always striving to learn more and improve. The only time we do not see Jim at Riviera is when he is taking a class or conducting business on behalf of and away from the club.
I have had the opportunity to visit, play, and interact with management and members of many of our country’s Top 100 Courses and top Platinum and Distinguished Clubs. Jim far surpasses all whom I have seen.
As much of an asset and treasure Jim has been to the Riviera, I understand his desire to move on, and wish him the best of luck. I would highly recommend him for any upper management, leadership position at your club, and I am confident you will be more than pleased should you make the right choice in hiring him.
Please feel free to contact me if you or your associates have any questions. I may be reached at 310-990-7124 or johnallecompany@gmail.com.
Respectfully,
John Alle
John E. Alle
President/CEO
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To Whom It May Concern:
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I wholeheartedly endorse and highly recommend Jim Shumate for the position of General Manager in the private club industry.
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It was my pleasure to work closely with Jim during my tenure as Board President at Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club. Jim always had the member’s interests as his top priority, and he never ceased to communicate and interact with the membership in a highly effective manner.
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Jim understands what it takes to provide extreme member satisfaction, and his primary focus was always to exceed member expectations. He has a firm grasp on the private club environment and culture and is excellent at developing and maintaining lasting relationships. It was always evident that Jim’s character was second to none, and he was very successful at developing and retaining high quality staff members while leading the team.
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Above all, Jim was a loyal and dedicated asset to the club, and always had a “whatever it takes, members first” attitude. Jim would be a valuable addition to your organization, and again, I highly recommend him.
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Sincerely,
M.J. Castner
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Michael J. Castner
Past President, Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club Board of Directors
Principal
15615 Alton Parkway, Suite 200, Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 786-401K ext. 101 ~ (866) 860-401K Toll Free ~ (949) 786-4013 Facsimile
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