Alexandria, Virginia – Club management The magazine named Boris Gradina, MCM, CCE, the 2023 Club Executive of the Year. A 17-year member of the Club Management Association of America (CMAA), Gradina currently serves as general manager/general manager of Maryland Golf and Country Clubs ( MGCC) in Bel Air, MD.
Gradina has over 26 years of experience in the club industry. His first management role in the club industry was as Clubhouse Manager/Assistant Manager of the Lebanon Country Club in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Before joining Maryland Golf and Country Clubs in 2015, he served as general manager of Sylvania Country Club in Sylvania, Ohio, from 2010-2015.
Gradina values professional development for himself and his club team. He earned his Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation in 2012 and his Certified Chief Executive (CCE) designation in 2017. In 2020, he became the 23rd person to earn the Master Club Manager (MCM) designation. His monograph, Integration of employees into private clubsexplores the topic of onboarding practices of 10 highly regarded and reputable private clubs as well as selected leading hospitality establishments.
Abigail Fry spoke about her impact as a mentor “One of the most remarkable aspects of Boris’s leadership style is his commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive work culture. It supports employee well-being, encourages professional development and prioritizes diversity and inclusion. Under his leadership, MGCC has become a place where employees feel valued, motivated and empowered to perform at their best.
Joseph T. Bradley, Chairman of the Board of Governors of Maryland Golf and Country Clubs, Inc., explained his impact on club culture“For Boris, people and education are the fundamental elements of progress. Boris’s enthusiasm for his team, his dedication to his craft and his love for the industry are nothing short of contagious.
Gradina has been active in several CMAA chapters. Most recently he served the Greater Baltimore Chapter serving as Chapter President and Vice President from 2017 to 2021. Current Chapter Vice President, Richard Marr, explains his involvement: “Boris was also responsible for stabilizing the governance of the GBCMA Chapter, leaving the office of the chapter much better than when he took office. In 2020, Boris developed an onboarding strategy, which he continues to teach to other managers and sections regarding modern best practices for onboarding new staff. To this day, Boris offers to chair the chapter nominating committee, lead chapter workshops, and give me and other chapter leaders sound advice whenever needed.
Annually, Club management recognizes the club’s outstanding professionalism and leadership with the Club Executive of the Year Award. Established in 1985 and initially known as Club Manager of the Year, the award was renamed in 2008 to reflect developments in the profession. This prestigious honor is awarded to a club management professional who exemplifies professionalism within their club and community over the past three years, by embracing mentorship, creating a supportive club culture and making an impact on its local CMAA chapter through sustained engagement. Applications are accepted in early fall and selections are made by a diverse committee of club management professionals.
Gradina is the 37th club management professional to be honored with this award. It will be featured in the January/February 2024 issue of Club management magazine, presented in a future edition of Let’s talk about club management Podcast and honored in person at the 2024 CMAA Global Conference and Club Business Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Learn more about cmaa.org/news/award-programs/.
About ACMAA
Founded in 1927, the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) is the largest professional association of club managers, with more than 7,500 members in the United States and around the world. Our members contribute to the success of more than 2,500 country, golf, sports, municipal, university, military, municipal and nautical clubs. The objectives of the Association are to promote relationships between professionals in club management and other similar professions; encourage education and advancement of members; and provide the resources necessary for the efficient and successful operation of the club. Under the banner of professionalism, education, leadership and community, CMAA continues to expand its reach as a leader in the practice of club management. CMAA is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, with 40 professional chapters and more than 40 student chapters and colonies. Learn more about cmaa.org.
About Club management Review
Club management is the official magazine of the CMAA and pursues the objectives of the Association. Published bimonthly, Club management provides timely, educational and informative content. All communications to the editorial office should be addressed to [email protected].
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