Management Connection is an accredited AMC led by top private club industry leader Crystal Thomas, CAE, MCM, CHE. She established her association management business in 2005 with the intention to further contribute to professional excellence across the private club industry. Through its nearly two decades of association management, Management Connection has taken the “high touch” approach of the private club industry in the management solution it delivers to associations across multiple industries. Crystal Thomas, CAE, MCM, CHE CEO A club GM for 30 years in Canada and the United States and a recipient of the Excellence in Club Management Award, Crystal is one of the 22 industry leaders worldwide to achieve a Master Club Manager designation. After leading The Athenaeum at California Institute of Technology to Platinum Club status in 2003, Crystal founded Crystal Clear Concepts in 2005 to drive the success of other clubs as a consultant and educator. That same year, her team began managing one of California’s CMAA chapters. In 2008, she collaborated with leading club managers to unify California’s four CMAA chapters into The Golden State Chapter. Her team has managed that association ever since. Her team also manages that chapter’s foundation. Concurrently, her company has managed a legal association for private clubs in California for more than a decade. The BoardRoom magazine has twice recognized her as one of the most influential women in the private club industry and in 2019 honored her with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Crystal is also a recipient of the Gary Player Educator of the Year Award. She has provided club industry education internationally including in China. Crystal has authored dozens of articles and three manuscripts/books, Learning to Love, Harnessing the Fear Factor and Business with a Heart. Intrigued by all aspects of human behavior, she holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Santa Monica in Spiritual Psychology. Nick Bundra, CAE COO Nick and Crystal first collaborated in 2008 on a job performance tool that Crystal pioneered for the private club industry. Nick worked with Crystal and her team periodically thereafter. He joined the team full time in 2019. One of his first projects was to oversee Management Connection in becoming an accredited AMC, a process completed in July 2020. Nick is the Executive Director for CalGeo, and variously contributes to the other associations that Management Connection manages. He has extensive writing experience having ghostwritten and edited a handful of professional and personal development books and manuscripts. He began his career in human behavior consulting. Nick has three master’s degrees, including one from NYU in Sports Business, and he earned his undergraduate from Pepperdine University. Rick Adams CFO Rick has over four decades of experience in performing the duties and responsibilities of Controller and Chief Financial Officer for several service organizations. In addition to accounting and finance, his background includes direct marketing, high-tech secure transaction processing, IT services, club management software and jet leasing/charter management. Several of those positions required partnering with international organizations and navigating cultural differences to achieve production and financial goals. Rick is a husband and a father of two. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Business Administration. Lindsay Pizarro, CCM, CCE CMO Lindsay Pizarro, CCM, CCE, brings over 18 years of club Industry experience, including roles at California clubs with Platinum Club of America Status. She has served as an Events Manager, Director of Food and Beverage, Clubhouse Operations Manager, and General Manager. Lindsay’s skills encompass strategic leadership, event management, operational efficiency, staff development, and a profound understanding of the hospitality industry. Her experience in member relations, financial management, and adaptability underscore the valuable perspectives she offers to associations.Lindsay is the Managing Director for The Golden State Chapter of the Club Management Association of America (TGSC) and the Executive Director of the California State Club Association (CSCA). Sarah Anselmo Partnership Coordinator Sarah cultivates and manages partnerships and industry relationships for the associations under Management Connection. She also oversees sponsorships for the company’s golf tournaments, consistently creating opportunities for collaboration between association members and the partners and sponsors eager to develop meaningful relationships with them.With a background in event management and hospitality, Sarah has spent her career creating experiences that bring people together. Before stepping into her current role, she served as a catering coordinator and event manager at El Niguel Country Club, where she curated memorable events and built lasting connections with clients and vendors.Sarah’s global perspective was shaped by her time living in China, where she developed a deep appreciation for cultural connections. She also expanded her expertise in the beverage industry by earning the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines. Whether through event planning, sponsorships, or strategic partnerships, Sarah is committed to fostering connections that stand the test of time.