About Ryan

Ryan was born and raised in Arizona, where he grew up very involved in sports and academics. He graduated with a degree in Environment, Economics and Politics from Claremont McKenna College. Ryan was initially interested in attending law school, but after exploring his passion for food and beverage he decided to forego law school and stay the course in the restaurant business.Ryan has worked in several management positions in various upscale restaurant concepts. In 2008, Ryan moved to New York, where he launched the Food & Beverage operation in a boutique hotel in Manhattan. He moved back to California in 2010 and worked as a Regional Food and Beverage Director for Joie de Vivre Hospitality before accepting the position with Invited as Regional Food and Beverage Director in 2013. Ryan accepted the position as Braemar’s General Manager in 2015.Ryan and his wife, Jamie Lee live in Westwood with their dog, Henry.

About Janine

A unique part of the Braemar management team, Janine was originally a member of Braemar Country Club, serving as president of the Board of Governors, the Braemar Women’s Tennis Club, as well as the Braemar Social Tennis Club. She joined the staff in 1995 as the tennis membership and events coordinator, during which she was a major component of “Grand Slam,” a membership initiative, which saw the Club add 400 new Tennis Members in a six-week period. Janine also held the position of member relations director before taking on her current role in August of 2004. In 2006, Janine was given a Invited SuperStar award.Born and raised in London, England, Janine has a daughter, Natalie. She loves going to the spa, red wine and signing up new Members.

About Carole

Carole joined Invited in 2016, after 15 years of Private Event planning, and event production for the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. Carole has produced hundreds of weddings and Bar/Bat-Mitzvahs, and many notable golf tournaments, among them the annual PGA Tournament. She also has experience producing all types of social and fundraising events, as well as golf and tennis tournaments.Carole accepted the position of Private Events Director at Braemar Country Club because she enjoys working with Members and guests, and has a passion for envisioning your dream, and making it a reality. Carole accomplishes this through her expertise and enthusiasm, and with the ultimate goal of designing flawless events from start-to-finish.

About Erin

Erin McClain stepped into the role of Member Relations Director bringing with her a unique background in Marketing, Event Management & TV Production. After graduating from Temple University with a B.A in Communications, Erin worked for Banyan Productions, Viacom and Food Network on numerous reality-based TV programs (Trading Spaces, A Baby Story, MTV News, Halloween Wars & Cupcake Wars). Upon moving to Los Angeles, Erin began working in event production curating high profile live music & entertainment events in the US and abroad. This experience provided her the opportunity to tackle multiple aspects of live events and led to the launch her own event production company. In her spare time, Erin enjoys listening to live music, strolling through art galleries, traveling abroad and reaching new health & fitness goals. Since joining the Braemar team, Erin has curated memorable events while introducing new programming into the 2020 calendar. Be sure to check out the Braemar calendar for a...

About Mir

Mirwais (Mir) Faryad joined Braemar Country Club as the Director of Golf in October of 2021. He served as the Director of Golf at SouthShore Country Club in Las Vegas, NV for over 10 years, and prior to that he was the Head Golf Professional/First Assistant Director of Golf at The Club at Carlton Woods in Woodlands, TX for 8 years. Mir’s professional focus is on creating an exceptional golf experience that exceeds members and guests’ expectations by anticipating their needs and offering outstanding programing and services. He is passionate about promoting the Game of Golf and has extensive experience teaching and coaching players of various playing abilities from beginner golfer to touring professionals. His emphasis on Basic Fundamentals, Mental Focus & Toughness traces back to his Sports Psychology studies. Away from the club, you will find Mir follow his favorite sports teams, practice Martial Arts, play various musical instruments, and learn different languages.

About Robert

Robert Lia has served as executive chef at several popular Southern California restaurants including Geoffrey's Malibu, Cicada Restaurant, The Border Grill With Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, and P6 Restaurant & Lounge. He also lead the way at two other fine dining restaurants, Pacifica Seafood Restaurant and McCormick & Schmick's, before heading to Paris, France. In Paris, he was executive chef at Express Bistro, validating and rounding out his culinary career. He returned stateside to partner at Sake Bistro.Chef Lia is the co-author of 72 Market Street - Dishes it Out, and  author of The Tasting Chef. He is recognized by the Court of Master Sommeliers as a level one and also by the Consulate General of Italy as a Sommelier D'Italia.

About Daniel

As the leader of the culinary team at Braemar Country Club, Executive Chef Daniel Csotai considers himself a mix of modernist and classic chef. Having graduated from the National Culinary School in Miskolc, Hungary, fate eventually led him to Los Angeles. Prior to joining our team, Chef Daniel was Executive Chef at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, The Chamberlain Hotel and the Montrose Boutique hotel in the West Hollywood area where he experienced some of the best what the Los Angeles area hospitality industry has to offer. He uses sustainably farmed proteins, local organic produce and whole grain pastas and breads. His flavor combinations are embracing the versatile mix of California cuisine, influences from around the World and the freshest seafood and rich steaks taking advantage of the vast variety of ingredients entering thru the port of Los Angeles as well as those that are grown locally under the beautiful California sun. He shares; “I’ve found it a pleasure to create our newest menu...

About Susan

Susan comes to us with an extensive background in tennis as a player, coach and manager. She was a highly ranked junior player from Southern California, recruited and played for University of Southern California and competed professionally.After playing, she was the assistant coach for UCLA then moved into teaching.  She was the head tennis professional at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades for 10 years before moving to Braemar Country Club.Susan is USTA High Performance Coach, 10 and under Tennis Coach, Youth Tennis Coach and  USPTA Elite Professional.

About Nathan

Nathan grew up in Frankenmuth, a small German town in Michigan. He started playing the game of golf at a young age and ended up falling in love with golf course maintenance through his uncle, who built golf courses in Southern California.Nathan graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science degree specializing in Turfgrass Management, and has worked as an Intern at Cypress Point Club, Assistant at Bel Air Country Club, Superintendent at The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe, and most recently Superintendent at Malibu Golf Club.When Nathan is not on the course, he is watching sports (especially anything associated with MSU) and enjoys going to music events whenever possible.Nathan and his wife, Scarlet, have a daughter, April. 

About Alex

Alex was born in Guadalajara Mexico, and moved to California in 1979. He started at Braemar in 1994, working in housekeeping and maintenance, before becoming the Director of Maintenance in 2000. He then spent six years working at our sister Club, Porter Valley, before returning to Braemar. In his spare time, Alex enjoys playing golf, and spending time with his three children.

About Corrine

Born and raised in Minneapolis Minnesota, Corrine Pridgen began as a gymnast at an early age which ignited her passion for fitness. As a teenager, she started to teach group fitness classes and has been teaching for over 30 years. After moving to California, she continued teaching and started her own personal training business. Corrine has worked as the group fitness supervisor for over 19 years at the North Valley Family YMCA in Porter Ranch, California. Under her leadership, the program grew to over 120 classes (land and water) with close to 12,000 members attending classes monthly. Corrine is excited to bring that same passion for fitness to Braemar! When she is not working or working out, Corrine enjoys spending family time with her husband and two amazing daughters.

About Amanda

Amanda is admired by all students and staff. Born and raised in Tucson, AZ. Amanda started playing tennis at a young age. She has a big smile and a huge passion for youth and adult tennis. She comes to us with marketing and communication degrees from University of Arizona and NYU. As the Tennis Administrator she has worked for the Southern Calif Tennis Association with TGA and now at Braemar for over 6 years. She manages the daily activities of the tennis pro shop. Amanda handles court reservations, merchandise sales, and facilitates tennis events. Amanda coordinates the Braemar Junior Tennis After School Program and Braemar Junior Tennis Camps. In addition, Amanda is actively involved as a junior tennis coach that specializes in the age range of children 3-9 years old .

About James

James Smith, PGA joined Braemar Country Club as Director of Instruction in August of 2013. Prior to Braemar he served as Head Golf Professional at Penderbrook Golf Club in Fairfax, VA for over 10 years and Fair Oaks Golf Park for over 3 years. James is passionate about helping others play better golf. He uses a combination of fundamentals, video analysis and Launch Monitor technology to help his students reach their goals. James has helped coach players who have won on the Junior, College and Professional level. As a PGA Member for over 25 years, James believes in the importance of continually learning. He has had the opportunity to learn first-hand from golf instructors Bill Strasbaugh, Jim McLean, Butch Harmon, Dr. Gary Wiren and Bob Rotella.

About Mark

We are excited to welcome Mark Sterling our new Social Ambassador who will be assisting the Member Experience team in facilitating engaging social activities all around the club. It’s Deja vu for Sterling, who worked at Braemar right out of college as head Tennis Pro and Social Director from 1979 to 1998. Twenty- three years later he says, “I'm so excited to be back!!! It’s my dream job - like being a Cruise Director at a country club.” Mark is also known to the Valley from his “World’s Greatest Promotional Stuff” store in Tarzana, and his volunteer work as MC at local chamber meetings.