Heather Korte is an experienced leader in the luxury hospitality industry.

A high-energy catalyst, builder of strong teams, designer of bespoke events, and Certified Sommelier.

About Heather

Heather has over 25 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, ranging from Forbes Five Star golf resorts, boutique hotels, critically acclaimed restaurants, and private membership clubs. She builds teams that deliver a gracious and warm experience every time. She has a deep appreciation of history & tradition, paired with a drive for continued improvement.

Her greatest strengths: Innovative, technology savvy, high sense of urgency, financial acumen, recruiting & team culture building, detail-oriented, collaborative, curious, teaching personalized hospitality, coaching & training associates, member engagement, wine & cocktail programs, event design & execution, cool-headed under pressure, indefatigable.

Training & Coaching

A great training program begins with intuitive hiring practices. Seek associates who have clear communication skills, open minds, and most importantly: humans who derive joy from caring for other humans.

With the right associates, the principles of Five Star service can be methodically trained and finely honed. This encompasses menu training, wine & cocktail knowledge, and steps of service. A great training program will also feature etiquette, proper vocabulary, and grooming. No program is complete without knowledge checkpoints in quizzes, tests, practical service scenarios, and comprehensive associate reviews at various points in the year.

Training manual checkpoints
Role descriptions
Wine knowledge

Skills & Proficiencies

  • Budget Creation, Analysis & Forecasting

  • Purchasing

  • Inventory Management & Price Models

  • JONAS & JAM Point of Sale, Event Booking

  • InfoGenesis Resort booking platform

  • Clubhouse Online (gaining education on Club Essentials)

  • ForeTees & Golf Genius

  • Beyond (scheduling & inventory management)

  • Certified Sommelier by Court of Master Sommeliers (2008)

  • Microsoft Office

  • ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certified

  • MustHaveMenus (menu & event design)

  • WordPress Web Design

  • Event Coordination & Design- Weddings, Golf Outings, Charity Galas, Holiday Events & More

  • Facility Maintenance Reporting

  • Talent Acquisition, Training Programs & Handbooks, Developing of Associates

  • Trainer of Forbes Five Star Standards

  • Media Trained

  • ADP Timeclock & Payroll Systems

  • Daily Manager Log

Running the Business

Annual Budget Strategy

Alignment of current goals, evaluation of prior year actuals, investigation into cost-saving measures, drill-down analysis of week-to-week spending for labor and goods, forecast for revenue based on prior actuals and proposed event orders.

Policies & Procedures

Reviewing the employee handbook frequently as a management team is highly beneficial. Hosting an All Staff meeting bi-annually to review policies & procedures, in addition to a comprehensive review as part of the on-boarding process ensures acknowledgment.

Capital Expenditures

Identify long-term needs for the club's high value expenses, set timeline for upgrades/replacements/purchases, and seek multiple vendor quotes.

Corrective Action & Coaching

Established and communicated policies that are violated follow a prescribed order of Progressive Discipline. Management is responsible for the firm, fair & consistent application of the program as well as the methodical reporting of any infractions. Coaching by the management team to correct any negative behaviors is professional and carried out encouragingly.

Forecasting

Attention to future revenue and expenses should be reviewed on a monthly if not bi-monthly basis to ensure accuracy. Collaboration with all parties that may incur expenses or affect revenue is key.

Adherence to Local, State, & Federal Laws

OSHA practices, Safe Food & Beverage Handling, properly licensed bar staff, and well-communicated knowledge of laws as they pertain to the clubhouse, the members, and the associates.

Membership Engagement

From leading prospective member tours to guiding the House Committee, Membership Experience & Wine Society Board, Heather has played a key role in collecting feedback from her membership and taking action.

  • Introduction of a regular theme night, “Supper Club Saturday” to drive more weekend Grill Room business, appealing to a broad spectrum of ages in the club. Retro cocktails, old school menu, Rat Pack tunes.

  • Improving the amenities for the Women’s Locker room with cold bottled water, fresh fruit daily, packaged snacks, and better shower room necessities.

  • Creation of a Family Fall Fest for the children & grandchildren of the club- hayrides, pumpkin painting, bounce house, DJ, face painting, carnival treats, and craft cocktails for the grown-ups

  • Driving Sunday business in the winter with the Apres Ski Lounge. Members were encouraged to cross-country ski the course, sled on the hills, snowshoe or just join us for a warm fire and themed food & beverages.

  • “Micro” wine & spirits tastings: low cost of entry, 1 hour tasting with vendors. Members are encouraged to join us for dinner afterward.

  • Wellness events that incorporated yoga, chair massage, cold press juice, clean foods, and meditation.

Professional Experience

  • Blue Mound Golf & Country Club

  • Riverbend Kohler

  • Ozaukee Country Club

  • Pfister Hotel

  • The Immigrant at The American Club of Kohler

  • Milwaukee Art Museum

Bespoke events with fastidious attention to the details, the timing, and the energy of the room. Personalized touches and devoted service staff create events that members crave to experience again.

And as always, “Inspect What You Expect”, and “Make It Nice”.

Blackbird Vineyards Dinner, Milwaukee Art Musem

Blackbird Vineyards Dinner, Milwaukee Art Musem

Gatsby New Year's Eve Gala, Milwaukee Art Museum

Gatsby New Year's Eve Gala, Milwaukee Art Museum

Dia de los Muertos Event, Milwaukee Art Museum

Dia de los Muertos Event, Milwaukee Art Museum

Night in Nantucket Dinner, Blue Mound CC

Night in Nantucket Dinner, Blue Mound CC

Halloween Freakshow, Iron Horse Hotel

Halloween Freakshow, Iron Horse Hotel

Wedding, Riverbend Kohler

Wedding, Riverbend Kohler

Wedding, Riverbend Kohler

Wedding, Riverbend Kohler

Wedding, Ozaukee CC

Wedding, Ozaukee CC

Thanksgiving Dinner, Riverbend Kohler

Thanksgiving Dinner, Riverbend Kohler

Wedding, Ozaukee CC

Wedding, Ozaukee CC

Kentucky Derby Fashion Show, Ozaukee CC

Kentucky Derby Fashion Show, Ozaukee CC

Wedding, Blue Mound CC

Wedding, Blue Mound CC

Night in Nantucket Dinner, Blue Mound CC

Night in Nantucket Dinner, Blue Mound CC

July 4th Family Day, Ozaukee CC

July 4th Family Day, Ozaukee CC

Wedding, Blue Mound CC

Wedding, Blue Mound CC

Night in Nantucket, Blue Mound CC

Night in Nantucket, Blue Mound CC

Francis Gallet Invitational Weekend

Francis Gallet Invitational Weekend

Santa Brunch, Blue Mound CC

Santa Brunch, Blue Mound CC

Masquerade Dinner, Blue Mound CC

Masquerade Dinner, Blue Mound CC

Rehearsal Dinner, Blue Mound CC

Rehearsal Dinner, Blue Mound CC

Night in Seville "Nine & Dine", Blue Mound CC

Night in Seville "Nine & Dine", Blue Mound CC

In Vino Veritas

Wine program curation, winemaker dinners, cocktail programs, acquisition of rare wine & spirits, deep connections in international & national wine industry, organizer of wine country experiences,

wine & spirits classes, Wine Society Leadership, expert analysis of storage conditions, turnover & cellar organization.

  • Dom Perignon Dinner

  • Staglin Family Vineyard Dinner

  • Ashes & Diamonds Dinner

  • Roy Estate Dinner

  • Unearthing Treasure!

  • Tasting Wines at Grgich Hills Estate in Napa

  • Bourbon Dinner

  • Developing Cocktail & Mocktail Programs

  • Domaine de la Romanee Conti Tasting

  • Curation of Spirits Collections

  • Wine Lover's Wednesday Tastings

  • An Organized Collection = ART

  • Round Pond Estate Dinner

  • Acquisition of Rare Wines

  • Culling the Herd

  • Paul Hobbs Tasting

Build & Retain Strong Teams

Seek Hires with the “Heart of Hospitality”

Educate, Coach, Explain, Engage, Collaborate.

Positivity is contagious.

  • Derby Day! Getting ready for the rush.

  • If the team wanted to be clowns for the Halloween Gala, everyone is in...

  • Post Santa Brunch

  • Room Service is READY for St. Patrick's Day

    Room Service is READY for St. Patrick's Day

  • Decorating the Club

  • Inspecting the details

  • Team Santa Brunch

  • Chef loves a Lobster Boil

  • Still having fun at the end of Member Guest Day 1

Recognition & Career Highlights

  • A year long, international leadership program focusing on the pillars of self-leadership, people leadership, & business leadership

  • External hospitality lead, executed the VIP events at Riverbend Kohler

  • Blue Mound Golf & Country Club was the match play host for Erin Hills. The clubhouse provided food & beverage to the players and spectators

  • Court of Master Sommeliers 2008

  • Award in recognition of service

  • Corporate Relations