BoardRoom magazine Top Private Club Presidents of 2021

BoardRoom magazine annually recognizes the world’s top private club presidents, captains and chairs as Private Club Presidents of the Year, for their outstanding work, their understanding of the industry, and roles and responsibilities of the club’s board of directors. In this continuing series, BoardRoom introduces all of the Top 21 Presidents for 2021, this article features Jonathan Corpina, president at Whipoorwill Club. Private club board presidents play a huge role in the professional operations of their clubs as a volunteer working diligently with their board of directors and general managers, striving for well-informed, but not emotional decisions. This recognition by BoardRoom magazine has attracted board president nominations from clubs and other nominators around the world.

Jonathan Corpina, President, President

Whippoorwill Club, Armonk, NY

As president of Whippoorwill Club, Jonathan Corpina led the board, COVID-19 committee and club through the pandemic with an updated governance model that placed the board’s focus on long-range, strategic initiatives and away from operation—allowing the GM/COO to manage the club successfully.

“Since my arrival, at the end of January 2021, the club has made major strides in our governance model. President Corpina has been the driving force behind empowering me as the GM/COO to own the operation. The board and committees have now transitioned into a supporting role versus being hands-on in the operation.”

Jeremy Melbye GM/COO

As well, it was with the support of Corpina, the board and the COVID committee that Melbye and his staff were able to keep the members and staff happy and safe while maintaining a high level of service over the past year.

“This goal was accomplished through continual communication and a readiness to adapt to circumstances,” Melbye added. “We are fortunate to have a multipronged communication approach, which enabled us to communicate quickly and efficiently in the member’s preferred method.”

With effective communication in place, the club has thrived. And both satisfaction and operations increased because the members were engaged and felt comfortable with the measures put in place.

As a club that has historically benchmarked its success by the golf course accolades, Corpina challenged the mindset and encouraged programming across the operation to match the level of excellence of the historic course.

“Jonathan Corpina is a collaborative leader, who brings people together,” explained Melbye. “His passion and energy are infectious! You can’t help but be inspired by this dedication and work ethic. In year one of our partnership, we have seen the biggest growth in our dining operation. From food offerings to service, our dining experience has dramatically elevated. I’m motivated every day to come to the club and match his tenacity and do everything I can to improve myself and our member experience.”     

Corpina manages trading and sales on the Meridian NYSE trading desk. An NYSE member since 2001, he is the executive floor governor, president of the Organization of Independent Floor Brokers, and vice president of the Floor Members Emergency Fund. He’s also a member of the Stock Allocation Committee and the Executive Governor Committee.  BR