Leadership

Barb Svenson, Director of Fitness and Spa, Jupiter Island Club, Hobe Sound, FL

Barb is heading into her ninth season at the Jupiter Island Club in Hobe Sound, FL. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in hospitality. She has certifications in Pilates (STOTT and NPCP), Personal Training (NASM, CPT, and CES) and Group Exercise (ACE) and is a certified TPI Level One Fitness Professional. Barb has served as a member, board member, and president of the Club Spa and Fitness Association (CSFA) and is an active member of the Club Management Association of America (CMAA). Further, she was the first in the industry to earn the Certified Spa and Fitness Director (CSFD) designation from CSFA.

Eric Wilkinson, Director of Spa and Fitness, The Polo Club of Boca Raton, Boca Raton, FL

Eric has more than 25 years of experience in the health and wellness industry, of which all his tenure has been at the surrounding country clubs of Boca Raton. He possesses a thorough knowledge of all aspects of the spa, fitness, and wellness industry, which has contributed to his success as a leader in his current role as The Director of Spa and Fitness at The Polo Club of Boca Raton.

Eric currently holds licenses and certifications as a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, a NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist, Certified Health Coach, Licensed Massage Therapist, and a Certified Pickleball Coach. He has had the incredible experience of traveling the world working privately for top ATP pro tennis players and was the official massage therapist for the United States Davis Cup Team from 2004- 2006.

Eric values the importance of being engaged in the spa and fitness community and regularly contributes to the support of the wellness communities such as ISPA, FSA, and is furthering his education with the CMAA. He is extremely proud of the efforts of The Polo Club being recognized for the ISPA 2022 Innovative Award for Philanthropy.

Eric’s enthusiastic professional skills and experience in hospitality has elevated his career, however most important to him is his love and passion to help all people in their health, wellness, and life journey.

Jim Franklin, Director of Fitness and Wellness, Desert Mountain Club, Scottsdale, AZ

After graduating from Houston Baptist University with a double major in business management and exercise science, Jim Franklin started his journey in the health and wellness industry as the studio manager for the Waist Basket.

He spent more than a decade at various city, athletic, and country clubs for ClubCorp, where he served on the National Athletic Committee. As a committee member, he designed operational, programming, and staffing standards for all ClubCorp clubs, created national purchasing accounts for fitness equipment, and developed the STAR Training program for future Fitness Directors. While at ClubCorp, Franklin received his first ACSM certification, and completed their STAR University for Club Managers.

After short stints at Colorado Athletic Club (Wellbridge), where Franklin completed Wellbridge Management University, and Arrowhead Country Club (American Golf), he opened DC Ranch Village Health Club in 2005. This 84,000 square foot facility offered best-in-class facilities and programs for fitness and wellness offerings, sports, youth services, spa, café, and special events. While at the “Village,” Franklin completed his American Red Cross Instructor certification, and since, has been teaching CPR/AED/ First Aid to club employees and members.

Since 2017, Franklin has been the Director of Fitness and Wellness at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, AZ, which boasts seven golf courses and clubhouses and serves more than 2,000 memberships. The Sonoran Clubhouse, where the fitness and wellness centers are located, generates more than $1M each in personal training and spa services, as well as large racquet sports, youth, and outdoor offerings.

Lauren Leon, Director of Fitness, Washington Golf & Country Club, Arlington, VA

Lauren Leon has been working in the health and fitness industry since 2006 after graduating from East Carolina University with a degree in exercise science. She spent the first 12 years of her professional career in the corporate wellness industry, which incorporated multi-site management, as well as holding a leadership role for the internship program, team culture, and group exercise training teams. Lauren transitioned to the private club industry in 2013 when she became the Director of Fitness at Washington Golf & Country Club located in Northern Virginia. She was a member of the Club Spa & Fitness Association (CSFA) and is a member of the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) and the Club Wellness Community powered by the CMAA.

Additionally, Lauren is a certified exercise physiologist and professional member of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), as well as a functional aging specialist with the Functional Aging Institute (FAI). Over the course of her career, she has carried multiple group fitness certifications. When asked what formats she can teach, the answer is always “anything except yoga” because she prefers to keep yoga a personal practice.

Matthew Spangenberg, General Manager, Inverness Club, Toledo, OH

Born in Kennesaw, GA, Matthew Spangenberg is the General Manager at Inverness Club in Toledo, OH. He attended Georgia Southwestern State University located in Americus, GA, where he received his bachelor’s degree in exercise science and wellness. Matthew is an experienced club management professional with a demonstrated history of service and excellence, having served in numerous roles across the industry. He is a proud and active member of the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) and, previously sat on the Board of Directors for the Club Spa and Fitness Association (CSFA), now the Club Wellness Community. Additionally, he was a member of the CMAA Georgia Chapter Board of Directors. Throughout his nearly decade-long career, Matthew has demonstrated stability, longevity, and upward advancement.

Meaghan Matthews, Director of Fitness, The Country Club, Brookline, MA

Meg Matthews joined The Country Club in Brookline, MA, as the Director of Fitness in 2017 and has brought with her almost two decades of experience in the strength and conditioning and fitness world.

Prior to her time at The Country Club, Meg was a personal trainer at The Boston Racquet Club and worked her way up to being the general manager. She then went on to become the head strength and conditioning coach at Quabbin Regional High School where she created the strength and conditioning program from conception. In both instances, Meg oversaw all aspects of operations which ranged from budgets and marketing to program design and wellness coaching.

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Meg earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Springfield College in Athletic Training and Strength and Conditioning. She has always had a passion for fitness and teaching people the importance of leading an active lifestyle. Her experiences throughout her educational and professional careers have led her to create a dynamic, effective, and successful fitness program at The Country Club. Outside club life, Meg enjoys hiking, skiing, and gardening.

Rob Barr, Athletic Director, Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit, MI

Rob Barr has been Athletic Director at the Detroit Athletic Club since 2001 where he manages a team responsible for all aspects of athletics, health, wellness, and club programing for more than 5,400 club members.

Following his collegiate education at Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis, where he earned a B.S. in Exercise Science, Barr began his career as Athletic Director of the Indianapolis Athletic Club in 1998.

His many professional affiliations include the Club Management Association of America (CMAA), CMAA Wellness Community, North American Conference of Athletic Directors, ACSM, NSCA, NASM, AFAA, USSRA, and USHA. Additionally, he serves on a variety of community-related committees to make a positive impact in Southeast Michigan. A former president of the North American Conference of Club Athletic Directors, Barr was named NACAD Athletic Director of the Year in 2011 and 2020. He has also received the Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in Leadership from Board Room Magazine multiple times amongst other awards.

Barr resides in Brighton, MI, with his wife Denise and has two children Emily (25) and Nicholas (22). He enjoys spending time with family, coaching a variety of sports, and has recently taken up competing in Triathlons, including Ironmans.