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Lera Van Straatum
Assistant General Manager at The Beach Club
Professional Background
Lera Van Straatum serves as the Assistant General Manager at The Beach Club, a prestigious establishment located in the beautiful Santa Monica area. With a robust background in club operations and hospitality management, Lera has carved out a notable career that spans over a decade. Before joining The Beach Club, she held the position of Operations Director for one of the flagship properties of the Business and Sports Division of ClubCorp, a company headquartered in Dallas that boasts an impressive portfolio of over 250 country, golf, business, and alumni clubs across the United States, China, and Central America.
Lera's journey with ClubCorp began in 2010, when she relocated to Chicago to take on the role of Food & Beverage Director at the esteemed Metropolitan Club situated in the iconic Willis Tower. Her tenure at this renowned club allowed her to develop her skills in restaurant management, client service, and operational efficiency, paving the way for her future leadership roles within the organization.
Prior to her impactful engagement with ClubCorp, Lera spent a year and a half honing her skills at the Cordillera Country Club in the scenic Vail, Colorado. This period followed her graduation from the Collins College of Hospitality Management at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, where she was honored as a Julian McPhee Scholar. The Collins College enabled Lera to cultivate her leadership qualities and provided her with various opportunities to practice actionable leadership.
Education and Achievements
Lera Van Straatum graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. Her tenure at the Collins College significantly shaped her professional trajectory; she took on key roles that highlighted her leadership capabilities and dedication to the hospitality sector. Lera was an executive board member of the Club Managers Association of America, the president of the Eta Sigma Delta Hospitality Honor Society, and served as a senator for the Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) of Cal Poly Pomona.
Upon returning to Southern California in 2014, Lera joined the Collins Hospitality Society Alumni Board. She met this opportunity with enthusiasm and soon took on the role of President of the Board, where she continues to contribute to the growth and development of future hospitality leaders. In 2016, she was invited to teach a Club Operations class for undergraduates at the Collins College, further solidifying her commitment to education and knowledge-sharing within the hospitality industry.
Personal Philosophy and Interests
Lera Van Straatum is genuinely passionate about the club business. She believes in the power of connection and the value of building lasting relationships within the hospitality sector. The satisfaction that comes from enriching the lives of guests and staff alike at club properties is the cornerstone of her career. It's this drive that inspires her every day and motivates her to continuously advance in her field.
Outside of her professional commitments, Lera resides in North Hills with her husband, Sean Van Straatum, who is also an alumnus of the Collins College, their daughter, Mila, and two beloved dogs named Mishka and Zaika. The Van Straatum family embraces a lifestyle filled with exploration and culture; they enjoy traveling the world and delving into different wine and food scenes. When they aren't exploring new culinary delights, they love to relax and create cherished memories with friends and family.
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