NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED club Finance & Capital Planning Expert
Jeff Dekruif, CCM, CHAE, PGA Assoc.
Jeff Dekruif, CCM, CHAE, PGA Assoc.
Financially Astute Clubs was founded to improve the private club industry by creating healthier, sustainable clubs through use of best financial practices, improved reporting & systems, continuing education, enhanced financial transparency to membership, and to provide an additional layer of support as a strategic partner to GM/COO’s, Clu
Financially Astute Clubs was founded to improve the private club industry by creating healthier, sustainable clubs through use of best financial practices, improved reporting & systems, continuing education, enhanced financial transparency to membership, and to provide an additional layer of support as a strategic partner to GM/COO’s, Club Controllers, Board members, and Finance Committees.
Our nationally recognized team is comprised of a network of experienced Chief Financial Officers at Top 100 ranked private clubs & HOAs nationwide, many of whom are also Certified Club Managers (CCM) through the Club Management Association of America - the private club industry's hallmark benchmark educational achievement. We have decades of experience in the private club industry working at some of the nation's most well respected and fiscally sound properties, as well as experience in corporate club industry senior financial leadership positions. Our team has been a trusted partner, advisor & leader to numerous properties nationwide to improve their overall financial health, internal controls, month-end efficiencies, technology, reporting and value proposition.
Jeff Dekruif, CCM, CHAE, PGA Assoc.
Jeff Dekruif, CCM, CHAE, PGA Assoc.
Jeff Dekruif, CCM, CHAE, PGA Assoc.
Chief Executive Officer
Co-Founder | Managing Partner
Email: Jeff@FinanciallyAstuteClubs.com
Mobile: 602.405.7745
Jeff Dekruif is the CEO, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Financially Astute Clubs and is a nationally recognized club finance expert and educational speaker, with a strong focus on improved financial reporting, long range capital
Chief Executive Officer
Co-Founder | Managing Partner
Email: Jeff@FinanciallyAstuteClubs.com
Mobile: 602.405.7745
Jeff Dekruif is the CEO, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Financially Astute Clubs and is a nationally recognized club finance expert and educational speaker, with a strong focus on improved financial reporting, long range capital planning, and aligning a club's financial model so the club organization is sustainable and thriving.
Jeff's background includes roles as Chief Financial Officer, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer and financial consulting roles for several Top 100 ranked private club communities in the Southeast and California, working with clubs that have annual revenues in upwards of $70 million and include several billion dollars in real estate valuations. He's lead through numerous master plans and major construction projects with some of the countries leading private club architectural and construction firms.
Jeff also served 12 years in Finance for Troon, the world's largest golf and club management company - including roles overseeing the financial management of properties in the firm's private club division. In his role with Troon, Jeff partnered with GMs, Boards, Finance Committees and onsite department leaders to assist with financial projects and monthly reporting, capital planning, audit work, software upgrades and reconciliations.
Jeff currently serves on the Global Board of Directors for Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals (HFTP), where he plays an active role in financial education and developing the next generation of hospitality finance professionals.
Active in the Club Management Association of America (CMAA), Jeff is a Certified Club Manager (CCM) and routinely speaks at regional and national conferences on financial management best practices, capital planning, club business fundamentals, and driving a high performance work culture.
An avid golfer carrying nearly a 0 handicap, Jeff is also an associate of the PGA of America working through their Executive Management golf professional program.
Knowing the capital intensive nature of private clubs, Jeff routinely partners with club leaders to develop a comprehensive and responsible capital plan where a mix of capital dues and initiation fee structure is customized to care for the club's asset footprint to ensure that the property is relevant and in demand for today and tomorrow's private club member.
Through Financially Astute Clubs, Jeff provides CFO-level advisory services to private clubs and truly becomes a trusted advisor, partner and resource to a club's on-site team.
Jeff's track record speaks for itself, with every club that he's partnered with showing increased balance sheet equity, stronger financial reporting, improved member confidence and trust, and elevated employee and membership satisfaction.
Nick Gerstner, CCM, CFE
Jeff Dekruif, CCM, CHAE, PGA Assoc.
Nick Gerstner, CCM, CFE
Chief Operating Officer
Co-Founder | Managing Partner
Email: Nick@FinanciallyAstuteClubs.com
Mobile: 480.353.9454
Nick Gerstner is the COO, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Financially Astute Clubs and a nationally recognized club finance executive known for aligning financial stewardship with culture, governance, and long-term strategic sust
Chief Operating Officer
Co-Founder | Managing Partner
Email: Nick@FinanciallyAstuteClubs.com
Mobile: 480.353.9454
Nick Gerstner is the COO, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Financially Astute Clubs and a nationally recognized club finance executive known for aligning financial stewardship with culture, governance, and long-term strategic sustainability.
Nick serves as Chief Financial Officer of Desert Highlands Association in Scottsdale, Arizona, a nationally ranked Platinum Club and one of the premier member-owned golf communities in the country. There, he oversees more than $25 million in annual operations across both Club and HOA entities while leading over $25 million in capital initiatives, governance modernization
efforts, and strategic financial restructuring.
Prior to Desert Highlands, Nick served as Director of Finance at Arizona Country Club and held Senior Regional Controller and Financial Analyst roles with Troon, the world’s largest golf and club management company. As part of Troon’s Financial Planning and Analysis team, he monitored financial health, performance trends, and contract viability across a national portfolio of properties and helped develop financial performance metrics and health markers used to evaluate operational strength and long-term sustainability. His career spans club operations,
multi-property oversight, capital planning, forensic accounting, and executive leadership within
member-governed environments.
Nick is an active leader within the Club Management Association of America and serves in
chapter leadership roles while contributing to national research initiatives. He is a faculty contributor within the Business Management Institute framework and teaches the financial sections of the Certified Club Manager Review Course, helping prepare club leaders for the
financial competencies required at the executive level. He is also a published author with Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals, writing on the evolving role of the modern club CFO as a strategic partner across departments.
Throughout his career, Nick has been recognized for transforming financial departments from
transactional reporting functions into strategic leadership partners. He is known for building
transparent reporting cultures, strengthening internal controls, modernizing capital funding structures, and helping boards and committees make confident, informed decisions.
Through Financially Astute Clubs, Nick provides Controller and CFO-level advisory services to
private, member-owned clubs seeking disciplined financial oversight, governance clarity, and
continuity during leadership transitions. His approach blends technical precision with empathy, grounded in the belief that successful clubs are built not only on strong balance sheets, but on
trust, communication, and long-term stewardship.
Nick believes the role of finance in private clubs is not simply to manage numbers, but to protect
culture, preserve legacy, and strengthen the foundation for future generations.
Dustin Wade, CCM, CPA
Dee Anna Clarke, PhD, MSA
Nick Gerstner, CCM, CFE
Fractional Chief Financial Officer / Financial Analyst
Dustin Wade is one of the nation's top and well respected private club CFOs, leading the finance, accounting and IT operations for several high performing clubs in California, Texas and New York.
Dustin is the current Chief Business Officer at Hudson National Golf Club in Croton-On-Hud
Fractional Chief Financial Officer / Financial Analyst
Dustin Wade is one of the nation's top and well respected private club CFOs, leading the finance, accounting and IT operations for several high performing clubs in California, Texas and New York.
Dustin is the current Chief Business Officer at Hudson National Golf Club in Croton-On-Hudson, New York.
Prior to Hudson National Golf Club, Dustin served as CFO of:
Claremont Country Club - Oakland, CA
Blackhawk Country Club - Danville, CA
The Briar Club - Houston, TX
Country Club of Darien - Darien, CT
Round Hill Country Club - Alamo, CA
Moraga Country Club & HOA - Moraga, CA
Dustin has also been part of numerous ClubEssential software installations in the Bay Area of California and held officer leadership positions with the Bay Area Chapter of Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals.
David Myers, CCM, CHAE
Dee Anna Clarke, PhD, MSA
Dee Anna Clarke, PhD, MSA
Fractional Chief Financial Officer / Financial Analyst
David Myers is an accomplished financial thought leader with the strategic vision and administrative hands-on approach necessary to ensure a club has the proper operational controls, organizational and reporting procedures, associate training and support, and systems in place. His app
Fractional Chief Financial Officer / Financial Analyst
David Myers is an accomplished financial thought leader with the strategic vision and administrative hands-on approach necessary to ensure a club has the proper operational controls, organizational and reporting procedures, associate training and support, and systems in place. His approach serves to effectively grow a club while ensuring financial strength and operating efficiency.
Prior to David handling fractional CFO assignments, he was formerly the CFO/Controller at:
Claremont Country Club - Oakland, CA
Woodfield Country Club - Boca Raton, FL
Trump International Golf Club - Palm Beach, FL
Mar-A-Lago - Palm Beach, FL
David has also served as Software Implementation Manager for ClubEssential.
He's been the experienced and goal-oriented supervisor of administrative teams consisting of Accounting, IT operations, HR and Payroll personnel. Delivering through a mentoring mindset, focusing on team growth and development, consistently looking to improve the management team’s knowledge and financial acumen.
A management partner who works closely with the General Manager, Treasurer, and Finance Committee to accomplish the organization’s financial objectives. Demonstrated track record throughout tenure of leading multi-million dollar capital improvement projects ranging from; irrigation systems, adding an additional nine holes, to full renovations and restorations.
System knowledge and expertise with Jonas, ClubSoft, Club Systems Group, as well as other club management applications. Specifically geared toward all aspects of the Private Club environment with emphasis on general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial analysis, budgeting, cash management, internal and external reporting.
Dee Anna Clarke, PhD, MSA
Dee Anna Clarke, PhD, MSA
Dee Anna Clarke, PhD, MSA
Fractional Chief Financial Officer / Financial Analyst
Dee Anna Clark is a dynamic, pro-active, and results oriented Senior Level Executive with broad experience of all aspects of private club accounting and financial management.
Dee Anna is the former Chief Financial Officer of Charlotte Country Club in Charlotte, NC - one of the top rank
Fractional Chief Financial Officer / Financial Analyst
Dee Anna Clark is a dynamic, pro-active, and results oriented Senior Level Executive with broad experience of all aspects of private club accounting and financial management.
Dee Anna is the former Chief Financial Officer of Charlotte Country Club in Charlotte, NC - one of the top ranked Platinum clubs in America - and worked under the strategic leadership & mentorship of GM/CEO Damon DiOrio, now current CEO of Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale, AZ.
She's also held CFO, Fractional CFO & Executive Finance positions with:
- The Ford Field And River Club - Richmond Hill, GA
- Highland Falls Country Club - Cashiers, NC
- Blackhawk Country Club - Danville, CA
- Los Altos Golf & CC - Los Altos, CA
- GGA Partners
Accountable for multi-million dollar budgets and allocating resources to exceed goals annually, she has demonstrated hands on management style in the development and implementation of strategic plans to ensure organizational efficiencies and overall growth.
Dee Anna is well versed with expertise in budgets, forecasts, cost control, risk management, human resources, and financial planning. Extensive experience coordinating all aspects of project management from inception to completion.
She is a compelling and respected team builder and facilitator with direct and decisive leadership and organizational skills, and dedicated to continuous improvements in quality, productivity, efficiency, and customer service.
Ben Tews, MSA, MS Data Analytics
Ben Tews, MSA, MS Data Analytics
Ben Tews, MSA, MS Data Analytics
Fractional Chief Financial Officer / Financial Analyst
Ben Tews has over a dozen years of experience in the hospitality industry, with a special focus on food and beverage operational accounting.
His expertise lies in cleaning up and enhancing financial reporting for better operational management and creating effective processes for club
Fractional Chief Financial Officer / Financial Analyst
Ben Tews has over a dozen years of experience in the hospitality industry, with a special focus on food and beverage operational accounting.
His expertise lies in cleaning up and enhancing financial reporting for better operational management and creating effective processes for club staff.
Starting his finance & accounting career out at Troon, he worked with clubs all over the country before taking on the Controller role at the award-winning FireRock Country Club in Fountain Hills, AZ.
Later in his career, he worked for several best-in-class multi-unit restaurant ownership groups, including Upward Projects, Savory Fund, and Riot Hospitality, where his expertise helped improve operational performance and increase sales.
He's participated in the opening of several multimillion-dollar restaurant locations, overseen the financial management of multimillion-dollar capital improvement projects, and led teams to be centers of excellence in their organizations.
When not helping hospitality operators achieve their goals, he enjoys cooking regional Italian specialties, cocktail development, and traveling the world with his wife.
He has WSET Level II certifications in Wine and Spirits, is a Certified Bourbon Professional, Certified Bourbon Steward, and a Servidor de Tequila.