Before joining the CCL team, Marty was the Director of Food & Beverage at The Country Club of Loch Lloyd for 6 years. He also spent 8 years at the National Golf Club in multiple roles, from F&B Director to Real Estate Agent. Prior to entering the country club business, Marty held several positions within the food and beverage industry including server, bartender, trainer, manager and director. For a while he and his identical twin brother, Eryn, co-owned a bar in Clearlake, IA. He enjoys exploring the world of wine, great food and meeting new people. Marty grew up in Blue Springs, MO and attended the University of Missouri, in Columbia. He now resides in Sugar Creek, MO with his wife Lanett, brother Eryn and nephew Mason, along with their beloved dogs, Zouee and Riley. He has had a love for golf all his life and enjoys Mizzou, KC Chiefs, KC Royals, Sporting KC and NASCAR. Marty believes strongly in chivalry and treating others how you would want to be treated.

Stephanie joins the Country Club of Leawood team from the Del Frisco Restaurant Group, where she served as the sales and event planner for Sullivan’s Steakhouse in Leawood. Prior to her two years with Sullivan’s, Stephanie opened Firebird’s Wood Fired Grill in Overland Park as its sales and marketing director. A graduate of Arizona State University with a BFA in graphic design, she has worked with local and national companies as an art director, designer and marketing manager. She’s been active in the Leawood and Overland Park Chambers and enjoys interacting with members and participating in community events. She considers herself fortunate to be able to combine her passion for food and hospitality with her experience in sales and marketing as a member of Country Club of Leawood team. Stephanie and her husband, Bill, are lifelong residents of the area. They enjoy cooking, golfing, traveling and spending time with their daughter, Madeline.

Patty began working at CCL in March of 2011 and stayed through its transition of ownership to Capital Foresight. She graduated from Bishop Miege High School (class of 78) and studied Interior Design at K-State University. Recently she returned to college and in December, 2017 she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration along with an Accounting Certification at the University of Kansas, Edwards Campus. In the fall of 2018 she began graduate coursework at KU in the Working Professional’s MAcc (Master of Accounting) program. Her professional experience includes over 40 years of audit, bookkeeping, accounting and management work within retail, educational and construction trades prior to entering the club industry. She and her husband, Brent, have two grown children (Kristen & Alan,) and two Labrador retrievers (Max and Murphy.) Patty enjoys archery, baseball, boating and fishing area lakes, traveling and camping.

Crayton joined the team at Country Club of Leawood in May of 2023. He graduated from Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School in Wichita, KS in 2019 and attended Emporia State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing in May of 2023. He has experience in social media and graphic design, working with the Emporia State athletic teams as well as experience in B2C marketing working with Flint Hills Beverage LLC. In his free time Crayton enjoys working out, playing board games, gaming, reading, and spending quality time with his wife, Annabelle, and their daughter, Isabella. Crayton is excited to be a part of the team at CCL and looks forward to providing quality work for the enjoyment of the Club and its members.

Katherine joined the team at the Country Club of Leawood in February 2025. She grew up in Leawood, alongside her three older brothers Patrick, John and Ryan. She graduated from Notre Dame de Sion High School in 2018 and then moved to Iola, KS to attend Allen County Community College on a soccer scholarship. Prior to joining CCL, she gained experience in customer service and as a billing specialist, working at an auto logistics company for four years. In her free time she enjoys drawing, fishing and spening quality time with friends and family. Katherine loves being part of the CCL family and we hope to have her on our team for many years to come!

Ryan has been a Class “A” PGA Member since 2004. Ryan was a three-time player of the year for the Arizona State PGM Program and has won 4 different Midwest PGA Section Golf events with the lowest winning score being a 7 under par 65. Additionally, Ryan has won awards in the Midwest Section and Nationally. In 2009 and 2011, Ryan won the Midwest PGA Assistant Professional of the year award and in 2015 he won the National Club Fitter of the Year award from Callaway and the Midwest PGA Club Fitter of the Year award. Ryan was also inducted into the Callaway Staff Professional Hall of Fame in 2017. In addition to his 7 seasons at Country Club of Leawood, Ryan has taught individual, group and junior lessons at TPC Jasna Polana (Princeton, NJ), TPC Valencia (Valencia, CA), TPC Las Vegas (Las Vegas, NV) and Kansas City Country Club. While not at the club Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife Linsey and three amazing children Lily, Graeme and Palmer and cheering on the Nebraska Cornhuskers!

Growing up in Inman, KS Chris worked at the Prairie Dunes Country Club. This is where he gained a passion for the industry. He is a graduate of the Rutgers Golf Course Turf Management Program and is currently a GCSSA Class A Golf Course Superintendent. He comes to us from the Wichita Country Club, where he served as the Golf Course Superintendent. Prior, he was Golf Course Superintendent at Reflection Ridge Golf Club in Wichita, KS and had previously been an Assistant superintendent in Kansas and Missouri. Chris is committed to developing his staff into a team that takes pride in their work, and as a result, making the golf course at Country Club of Leawood the best it can be for the enjoyment of its members and guests. He is known for presenting a clean & detailed golf course with firm and fast surfaces. While away from the golf course he enjoys spending quality time with his wife Brylie and his daughters Amzie and Atley.

Cynthia Kernodle has been passionate about helping people change their lives through fitness for the past 27 years. She had an interest in exercise and fitness at age 14, running distance in track and doing choreography for drill team and cheer. In 1990, she began leading Group Fitness and has since acquired certifications in most all varieties of Group X classes including but not limited to: Step Reebox, Johnny G. Cycle, RIPPED, AFAA Practical Pilates, Yoga, Aqua Fitness and TRX suspension Training. Cynthia was also the co-founder of KWANtm (group martial arts) and led outdoor boot camps for six years. During these years she had four children (three daughters and one son) and continued to see the importance of fitness being a part of her personal life and professional career. In 2004, she received her AFAA certification in Personal Fitness Training. Cynthia grew up in Shawnee, Kansas and enjoys being outdoors, gardening, running, cooking, reading and continually learning new things.

Erik Hess brings wealth of industry experience and a passion for hospitality to his role as Director of Food & Beverage at the Country Club of Leawood. Originally from Hinsdale, Illinois, Erik moved to Urbandale, Iowa at the age of five, and later to Lenexa, Kansas in 1984 following his father's promotion with Amoco Oil. After graduating from Shawnee Mission West in 1990, Erik earned a degree in Business Marketing from Kansas State University in 1995, further solidifying his connection to the Kansas City area and setting the foundation for his successful career in the food and beverage industry.
 
Erik's general management expertise spans multiple markets and restaurant groups, including his significant contributions to the Fox & Hound Restaurant Group. During his time with Fox & Hound, Erik played a key role in opening restaurants in several major markets, including Wichita, Kansas; Gilbert, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Dallas, Texas. His hands-on experience in launching and managing new locations gave him valuable insights into market expansion, team development, and operational efficiency. In addition to his work with Fox & Hound, Erik has held leadership roles with PB&J Restaurants, where he served as general manager for 10 years, and the Hadaad Restaurant Group on the Country Club Plaza.
He has also managed well-known establishments like Terradyne Golf Resort, Coyote Grill, Yahooz, Grand Street and Ya-Ya's Eurobistro.
 
Erik's more recent experience in sales and consulting with US Foods has further enhanced his industry knowledge, particularly in supply chain management and food distribution. His diverse background and strong general management experience make him an invaluable asset to the Country Club of Leawood, where he is dedicated to delivering exceptional dining experiences.
 
Outside of work, Erik enjoys staying active by playing softball, golfing and cheering on his alma mater, the Kansas State Wildcats. He is also an avid MLB fan, with a particular passion for the Kansas City Royals. Erik has three children, Logan (23), Colton (22) and Jacy (17). His three children are his pride and joy and he cherishes the time he gets to spend with them.
 

Brian was born in Germany while his father was stationed there, serving in the U.S. Army. He was raised in Wichita, Kansas and developed a passion for cooking at an early age. After graduating from high school, he worked at the Airport Radisson Hotel in Wichita and soon after, convinced his parents to let him enroll in the Chef’s Apprenticeship and Hotel Management program at Johnson County Community College. Upon graduating, he became the Chef de Cuisine of Benton’s Prime Steak House on the Rooftop of the Westin Hotel here in Kansas City. He also traveled with Starwood Hotels and Resorts as part of the team that opened “W” luxury concept hotels. In 1999, he left Westin Hotels and worked as the Executive Chef for Kansas City Catering. After working with the Nelson Art Gallery for 2 years, he became the Executive Chef at The Country Club of Loch Lloyd, where he remained for eleven years. Collectively, he brings a successful blend of talent and experience to the Country Club of Leawood.