Donald P. Emery, CCM, CCE initiated the Emery Family Fund at The Club Foundation in 2025. The fund is named the Emery Family Fund in honor of his mother Jean and his deceased father Howard, who taught him the value of lifting others through service, deeds, and philanthropic giving.
Mr. Emery has been a member of the Club Management Association of America for 41 years, starting in hospitality as a student Member at Cornell University. He currently serves as General Manager/COO at Grey Oaks Country Club in Naples, Florida. Out of his caring and philanthropic spirit and love for the club industry, Don initiated this fund with a desire not only to make a difference in the Club Industry, but to spur others to contribute to support all those who benefit from the Foundation’s work. The Fund is open to contributions from anyone. The proceeds from this endowed fund will generously support the Foundation where most needed.
Don’s philanthropic spirit and love for our industry spurred him to initiate an endowed fund at The Club Foundation to support The Club Foundation mission and the future of our industry. The fund is named the Emery Family Fund in honor of his mother Jean and his deceased father Howard who taught him the value of lifting others through service, deeds, and philanthropic giving. The proceeds from the Emery Family Fund generously support the work of the Foundation where most needed.
Don is a 41-year member of CMAA, having been a student member and Chapter President at Cornell University, prior to joining the CMAA Metropolitan Chapter. Throughout his career, he has been an active member of the Golden State Chapter and Florida Chapter as well.
He joined the Grey Oaks leadership team in December 2020. Don has expertise in managing complex private clubs with multiple dining facilities, golf courses, marinas, bocce, pickleball, tennis courts, fitness centers, aquatics, and extensive innovative social programs for all ages. He has shown consistent success in overseeing operating budgets from $8 to $45 million while achieving positive financial results. Don has skills in strategic master planning and in developing and overseeing completion of capital projects, with budgets of up to $6 million annually. He is recognized for his talent in recruitment of world quality staff and in designing and implementing staff training, board systems, and governance manuals.
Don has managed multiple Platinum Club of America (Top 125 Country Clubs in the USA) clubs including: Interlachen Country Club, Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge, and Grey Oaks Country Club. While GM at The Riviera Country Club/The Riviera Tennis Club, it was named a Platinum Club of the World and given a Distinguished Club with ICONIC status. At Riviera, Don was part of a team that secured the 2028 Olympics for the Club
Don served as an Associate Professor at Florida International University and taught for the Florida State University system. He was a member of the corporate board at The Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona and the Culinary Institute of America.
Don is a Certified Club Manager and Certified Club Executive and is a recipient of California, Florida, and National USPTA Manager of the Year awards. He is a graduate of Cornell University and has taken executive management classes at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.