David M. Swanson Commodore (2016-2017)

The Carolina Yacht Club, Charleston, South Carolina

"When our GM was asked to leave, the Club had a problem on its hands, our only prospects in-house were not ready to be GM, and morale with the employees was sinking .  We contacted Bill and C2 Hospitality and he responded immediately, and within a few weeks arrived on the scene.  He immediately “righted the ship” and began a regimen of training of upper management on how a first class club should be run.  Bill has seen the good and bad of many clubs and has a thorough knowledge of the basic practices and procedures for club management and operation.  He also has a wealth of contacts within the industry to call upon if specialized assistance is needed.  Our club ended up hiring Bill and his wife for a two year commitment during which he was able get the Club on sound footing.  In fact, he trained his successor so well that he worked himself out of a job when we promoted the Assistant GM to the GM position.  We are indebted to Bill, his wife and his company for expertly assisting us through a difficult time.  Our Club not only weathered this storm, but emerged a better club." 

David du Pont Silliman Chairman: Fine Arts Committee (2006-2017), Entertainment Committee (2015-2016) & House Committee (2016-2018)

The Carolina Yacht Club, Charleston, South Carolina

"I had the supreme honor and pleasure of working with and getting to know Lisa and Bill Culbreath during their brief tenure as the managers of Carolina Yacht Club in Charleston, South Carolina. Bill was hired first to fill a sudden vacancy in the General Manager’s spot with Lisa coming shortly thereafter. I was delighted with their complementary skills that addressed several needs where our club was lacking.  Bill immediately immersed himself in the financial nuts and bolts of our operations and applied his extensive knowledge of club management to institute a best practices regimen in every aspect of our operations. This honed the revenue stream, cut costs and maximized our efforts towards actions that made the club better for the membership and financially. We raised rental rates for our popular ball and meeting rooms, modified food and beverage prices and culled our wine offerings all with positive results on our bottom line. In addition immediate training for staff was initiated to address the problem of high turnover that we had experienced for many years. Bill initiated a Board Retreat for the Executive Committee to educate these members on club operations. Every aspect of the club has improved as a direct result of Bill’s efforts.  Lisa led efforts at the membership interface level using her vast knowledge and experience to create membership communication regimens that reached the different age demographics of the our club, consistently. This meant not only weekly email blasts, but also a monthly electronic and hard copy publication called MAINSHEET, making this periodical informative and interesting so that the membership read it and used the club as a result. Furthermore, Lisa compiled an extensive art folio that pictured and described the hundreds of paintings, prints, lithographs and maps within the vast art collection of the club. This is most noteworthy because it had been a “to do” item for over a decade.  I cannot begin to adequately describe all that both the Culbreaths did for Carolina Yacht Club in a very short 2 year time frame. I would be delighted to elaborate further if need be."

Zak Haylash General Manager

The Carolina Yacht Club, Charleston, South Carolina

"Bill and Lisa are true professionals! They helped to transition our Club in a difficult time and ensured that I was extremely well prepared to take over the General Manager role.  Their travels have given them a wealth of knowledge in the private club industry, which translated well with staff and daily operations of the CYC.  Even after their departure, the Culbreath’s have continued to offer support and advice with any potential needs or issues. They are always welcome at the Carolina Yacht Club."

Mike Boston Managing Partner

Wilkison Partners Palisades

"William Culbreath came to The Palisades Country Club not long after we had opened the club for membership. We had the makings of a wonderful new club. We had a first class golf course designed by the Jack Nicklaus group.  What we did not have was a management team that knew how to implement proper systems from accounting, point of sale software to member management programs.  Willam Culbreath led our team in every department.  Having worked from the ground up in the golf club business, his culinary experience as a Chef helped him to guide our menu's and options in both our catering department as well as our casual and fine dining experience for our members.  William is decisive and forward thinking.  He worked incredibly well with the existing staff members we had on the team when he took over and made personnel changes as needed.  I don't think anyone could represent, with integrity, the members of a club or the management and owners interest better than William Culbreath.  I think of someone as being fortunate when and if they get the opportunity to work with William.  I highly recommend his company and his team!"

Caree Elder Controller

Doublegate Country Club. Albany, Georgia

"Thank you for your input, assistance, and patience.  Thank you again for the “team” approach in the cash projection, as well as, support & explanations for complicated and sensitive financial and other items.   I really appreciate all you have done here and even though I know /knew your stay was short term, it truly makes me sad anticipating your departure. I only hope the new GM will be half as pleasant and financially experienced to work with as you are. It has been so productive and helpful to have someone to think through task specifics and tough decisions as you have directed."