MEET OUR STAFF

Robin Blankhorst joined Delaire in October 2021, bringing over three decades of hospitality industry experience. Throughout his career, Robin strengthened club operations and directed notable enhancement projects while building service-centric teams. His expertise has enabled him to drive measurable success and prompted the opportunity to manage several high-end, exclusive country clubs in South Florida. A leader in the club food and beverage scene and a Certified Club Manager (CCM), Robin elevates all facets of club operations and has achieved significant industry credentials, such as Distinguished Club Award, Platinum Club of America, and Platinum Club of the World status. Robin holds a degree in Hospitality and several major certifications, including that of Florida Community Association Manager. Robin’s leadership philosophy is based on inspiring and leading through action while helping staff reach full potential with training and mentoring to achieve the highest standards.

Fernando Sanchez Elias joined Delaire in March 2022, having most recently served as the Controller at Lost Tree Club in North Palm Beach, FL. Fernando is a CPA with past experience at RSM US LLP in West Palm Beach, where he elevated to Audit Manager, and O'Connor Davies, LLP in Stamford, CT.

A highly experienced south Florida hospitality professional, Clubhouse Manager Andrew Thornton, CCM, came to Delaire in July 2022. Andrew previously served as the Assistant General Manager at the Country Club of Florida in Village of Golf, Food & Beverage Director/Clubhouse Manager at Lauderdale Yacht Club in Fort Lauderdale, and Clubhouse Manager at Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club in Boca Raton. Andrew holds a BA in Hospitality Business from Michigan State University.

Glenn Matusik returned to Delaire in June 2022 after spending two years honing his a la carte dining craft at The Hillsboro Club in Hillsboro Beach, FL. Between 1997 and 2020, Chef Glenn, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, created a food and beverage program at Delaire renowned as the finest private club dining experience in the area. Rising to the challenge of building both an exemplary a la carte and buffet operation while away make his journey home ideal as Delaire looks to reestablish its legacy with a new Clubhouse on the horizon.

Ana Todor joined the Delaire team in May 2020 and brought over 23 years of hospitality management experience from some of South Florida's exclusive resorts, country clubs, and prominent consulting firms. Recognized for record-setting membership club sales and remarkable marketing/creative skills, Ana has a proven ability to lead sales and marketing teams to meet brand goals and revenue gain. She is a native Romanian, and she holds a European degree in Hospitality Services, and Marketing and Accounting diplomas. Ana speaks several languages.

Liz Shaw has been a member of the Delaire team since 2005, and she draws from a variety of professional experiences. Liz served in the Washington, DC area as a medical association web designer and public relations/marketing firm account manager. Liz holds a Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, and a BA in English and Sociology from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA.

Paul Crespo arrived at Delaire in October 2022. A graduate of the University of Florida, Paul played golf professionally on various mini-tours before becoming the first Assistant Professional at the Polo Club. Since that time, he served as Head Professional at BallenIsles and Gleneagles Country Clubs before his most recent tenure as Director of Golf at Parkland Golf and Country Club. Paul looks forward to developing the golf program to exceed member expectations.

Brian Bowles has over 40 years of experience in the golf industry. Since attending Michigan State University to study agronomy, Brian has been a superintendent at Country Club of Birmingham and Palm Beach Polo. It was at Palm Beach Polo in the late 1980's that Brian met Pete Dye and decided to make the professional jump to golf course construction. During his years with Dye Designs, Brian developed his own style and honed many invaluable construction skills. Today he maintains his own golf course construction firm, Bowles Golf & Construction. Brian is also familiar with sales, as he owned a John Deere Dealership before returning to Delaire in 2017.

Lawrence Sagel has served as Tennis Director since 1989 and works diligently with his staff to keep members active and challenged with dynamic instruction and a variety of special tennis events. His goal at Delaire is to involve people of all ages, whether five or eighty-five, in the sport of tennis. According to Lawrence, "Tennis is a game for a lifetime." His skill as an instructor is demonstrated by his ability to differentiate each client's individual tennis goals, whether competitive or social. With both USPTA and USPTR professional credentials, Lawrence is a member of the Wilson Tennis advisory staff.

Phil Bayne has been with Delaire for over 25 years. Phil has been involved in the planning and development of our new state of the art fitness center. He is a certified fitness specialist, a master exercise physiologist, and licensed massage therapist. Phil is certified with ISSA, NASM, Group Fitness, Strength and Conditioning, Sports Therapy, Neurological Muscular Kinesiotherapy, Connective Tissue Disorders, Flexibility for Conditioning and Rehabilitation & Exercise for the Elderly, as well as certification from University of Florida Strength & Conditioning Coaches Clinic.

Tracy Krakowski came onboard as the Director of Maintenance in June 2022. Before this time, Tracy served as the Director of Engineering Building Maintenance at Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club in Boca Raton, FL for more than 15 years.