May-June Newsletter

Clubhouse News WelcomeRobie!

I wanted to start by thanking Chris, the Board and Leadership at Cullasaja for giving me the opportunity to return home. My name is Roberto Mendoza, but most of you know me as Robie, and I'm genuinely thrilled to be back as your Clubhouse Manager. Cullasaja holds a truly special place in my heart and my career, and when this chance arose to grow professionally while also having more time with my family, it felt like a perfect, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I feel incredibly blessed to be back in a place that gave me my start in the club industry, and I'm eager to augment the amazing culture and team that makes the Club so special. While I might be a familiar face to many who call Cullasaja home, I know that there have been some wonderful changes and additions to both the team and membership who might not know me.

Robie Mendoza Clubhouse Manager

Growing up in Jupiter, Florida, clubs were a big part of my life. I was always fascinated by the warmth and the relationships built between staff and members. That feeling of belonging, of being part of a family, led me to pursue Hospitality Management at UCF's Rosen School, which ultimately brought me to Cullasaja in 2016 for a Food & Beverage internship. That summer, something clicked. I knew I wanted a career in clubs. What was meant to be a short internship became home, and I returned in 2017 as Dining Room Manager, then Food & Beverage Manager in 2018. I cherished the team that I was a part of, especially working every day alongside Steve. After six wonderful seasons, I accepted an opportunity as Food & Beverage Director at Lonesome Valley, overseeing Canyon Kitchen. I'll always be grateful for my time at Lonesome Valley; the people and experiences were both humbling and rewarding. I'm incredibly proud of the financial, operational, and cultural growth I oversaw, including securing a significant renovation as a result. Yet, the opportunity for personal growth, the feeling of belonging at Cullasaja, and the desire to be closer to my family brought me back to Cullasaja in the end. My wife, Carla, whom I met at Cullasaja in 2016 as an intern, is from Manila, Philippines. She is an immensely talented hospitality professional, and her work ethic, passion and innate warmth are a few traits that brought us together; we got married in 2017. After years in Food & Beverage Management on the Plateau, she is currently Lonesome Valley's Resident Services & Marketing Director. We're also proud parents to our two dogs, Woody and Archer, and our beautiful daughter, Elena, who joined us in April of 2024. I'm so excited to have the opportunity to spend more time with them.

Robie , Carla and Elena

I'm truly looking forward to rejoining this exceptional team and helping Cullasaja continue to thrive. My goal is to build upon our existing strengths and explore new opportunities to make remarkable and memorable experiences, drawing on both my familiarity with Cullasaja and the unique operation at Lonesome Valley. I'm eager to contribute to this team's innovation and growth, building upon Cullasaja’ s unique nature to create evocative lifelong memories in 2025. Robie Mendoza Clubhouse Manager

7 CLUBHOUSE NEWS // MAY & JUNE 2025