About Jessica

Jessica’s shared passion for servicing others and traveling prompted her to pursue a career in Hospitality. Jessica graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona where she received her degrees in Hospitality Management and Theatre Performing Arts. Prior to joining the Porter Valley team, Jessica worked at The Walt Disney Company for six years in various areas of operation within restaurants, theme parks, hotels, and media. When she is not at the Club providing Magic Moments, Jessica loves traveling all over the country to attend live concerts and musicals.

About Dan

Originally from Wisconsin, Dan's passion to help people and outgoing personality led to a career in hospitality, holding leadership positions in Hotel Operations, Restaurant Operations, Golf Operations and Club Operations. Dan's diverse background includes Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, in Business Management with a minor in Recreation Management and from the University of Wisconsin - Stout, in Golf Enterprise Management. Dan joined Invited in 2010 at Desert Falls as First Assistant Golf Professional, he held that role until 2013 and was promoted to Director of Membership and Marketing. He was promoted to his current role as Director of Membership at Porter Valley in 2015. When not at the Club welcoming new Members, he enjoys traveling, staying fit, being active outdoors, and spending time with his family back in Wisconsin. When not working, traveling or at the beach, you will find him on a GolfBoard and is always up for a game on The Links.

About Julie

Originally from Massachusetts, Julie started her career in private country clubs at Highland Country Club. Julie moved to Southern California after coming here for a vacation in 1983. Her first job in California was at Wilshire Country Club. After moving to the San Fernando Valley, Julie joined Invited in 1985, starting at Braemar Country Club as Assistant Private Events Director. After three short months, she was promoted to Porter Valley Country Club as Private Events Director and has enjoyed Porter Valley ever since. During her tenure, she has received several awards including Invited President's Club and most recently Invited Hall of Fame. When she is not at the Club, Julie enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and large extended family.

About Clay

A Los Angeles native, Clay brings the lifelong experience of Food & Beverage to the Porter Valley team. Having been blessed with restaurant-owning parents, Clay learned about the industry early from the inside-out and bottom-up. Alongside his industry experience, Clay carries an Economics degree from San Diego State University. As the Director of Food & Beverage, Clay emphasizes a teamwork-oriented and collaborative approach to Food and Beverage. Clay shares his vast knowledge with the Food & Beverage team to grow the overall dining experience at Porter Valley to new heights.

About Scott

Scott Whitaker has been in the hospitality industry for over 30 years, with the last 12 years in private club management. He is an active member of the Club Managers Association of America, is Cicerone certified level 1, and has earned WSET Spirits certification level 2. Scott has managed the Food & Beverage operation at various golf courses in Southern California. Scott and his family make their home in Burbank. He enjoys collecting music on vinyl, attending live music events with his family, and hitting the local skate park with his kids whenever he gets the chance.

About Jose

Jose recently joined the Porter Valley team after several years on the Food & Beverage team at The Oaks Club at Valencia. At his previous Club, he started as a line cook and was promoted to Executive Sous Chef within four months. Though he never imagined working in the industry, Jose has naturally found a knack in Food & Beverage and has been perfecting his expertise for 18 years. Jose’s humble beginnings include running lunch programs in cafeterias and has flourished into a career wherein he specializes in game meats such as buffalo, emu, ostrich, and elk. Jose has many interests, but mainly enjoys spending time with his family: Josselyn and their six-year-old son, Luke Andrew.

About Kenny

Kenny’s culinary passion stems from watching his mother cook as a young child. He strived to share the same talent and began his culinary journey at an Italian pizzeria in New York where he learned to make pizza from scratch. Four years ago, Kenny moved to Los Angeles and expanded on his expertise by working at an Armenian café. He has been working at Porter Valley for three years. He joined the team as a line cook and has recently been promoted to Sous Chef. He has hosted charcuterie design classes and kids' cooking classes. When Kenny is away from the Club, he enjoys spending time with his 11-year-old son and watching a Yankees game.

About Tracy

A San Fernando Valley native, Tracy is a graduate of the Golf Professional Training Program of the PGA of America, class of 2004. He started at Porter Valley in 1995 as an assistant and worked his way up to the Head Golf Professional position in 2003. Tracy prides himself on providing the absolute best service to Members and their guests. Tracy has earned 5 national awards with Invited for operational excellences. If you asked Tracy what his greatest accomplishment has been at Porter Valley, he would tell you cultivating Porter Valley’s juniors into respectful, courteous golfers, and human beings have been most rewarding. Tracy likes spending his free time at the beach with his wife, Marilyn, and their two labs Pete and Mickey.

About David

Dave has over two decades of experience working in the golf industry as a First Assistant Golf Professional, Assistant Golf Professional, Assistant Teaching Professional and General Manager at GOLFTEC. He played collegiately at Santa Barbara City College and recently earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. He also served four years in the US Army, stationed in German and Texas. Dave looks forward to continuing Porter Valley's thriving long-term junior program and adult programs for the Members and community of Porter Ranch. Dave enjoys playing cornhole, taking aerial photography and videography, golfing with his wife Melissa and spending his time off with his two daughters, wife and his two step sons.

About Don

Don’s Golf Course Maintenance career started at Candlewood Country Club in Whittier, California, while he was a high school student. Upon graduation from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, with a Bachelor of Science in Park Administration, Don began his career with Invited at Braemar Country Club in Tarzana. He has over fifty-two years of golf course maintenance experience and has over forty-five years of experience with Invited. Don has been with Porter Valley Country Club for over thirty-two years. Don is an avid camper and enjoys spending time with his two dogs.

About Sadek 'Moe'

Moe has been teaching tennis for over 25 years. Prior to joining Porter Valley, Moe was a Davis Cup captain, national coach, and technical advisor to the tennis federation for his native country, where he was responsible for players and junior developmental programs. Moe has traveled to over 30 countries playing, teaching, and officiating for tennis. As an ATP/ITF international official, Moe has umpired at many events such as Wimbledon, Kremlin Cup, and the Olympics. Moe is fluent in four languages and holds a Master of Psychology degree.

About Paulina

Paulina came to Porter Valley with a strong tennis background and has helped continue the development of Porter Valley's thriving long-term junior program and adult programs for the Members and community of Porter Ranch. Paulina grew up in Guadalajara, Mexico where she learned to love the game. She started playing tennis at five years of age, playing on clay court surfaces and playing competitive tennis all throughout her young career and collegiately. She was an understudy of Tennis Professional Alberto Martin and has continued her Professional growth under the tutelage of USPTA Professional Sadek "Moe" Magades. Paulina enjoys staying active & fit outdoors, loves a good hike, playing tennis & pickleball, enjoys watching sports (Go St. Louis Cardinals) and spending time with her cats.

About Leah

Originally from New Jersey and subsequently a student at Ohio State University, Leah is still a Jersey girl who loves the Buckeyes. Leah moved to California after meeting her husband at school. She obtained her B.S in food science and nutritional science at Cal State University, Northridge, and began her career as a dietician at Valley Presbyterian Hospital. During that time, she went back to school and finished the elementary teaching credential program. Leah then went to the clinical setting as a dietician at several hospitals that specialized in eating disorders, long-term care, and wound care. Also, she worked at many corporate gyms as a dietician and personal trainer. Leah joined Porter Valley Country Club in 2018, as the Fitness Supervisor and now serves as the Fitness Director. Leah is NASM certified, has completed two TRX certifications, and is working on TPI certification. When Leah is not at the Club, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, 2 sons, and dog.

About Courtland

Courtland is a former NCAA All-American with over eight years of coaching experience. He began teaching lessons at the age of sixteen and was quickly promoted to head coach of his local club. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree he worked at the Museum of Natural History as well as with Asphalt Green, a nonprofit promoting physical fitness and competitive swimming in the five boroughs of New York City. Many of his swimmers have gone on to win state and regional titles, several of whom are now swimming in college. He has taught swimming to people of all ages and skill levels. This is Courtland's 6th season with the Polar Bears. During his time, the team has grown from 10 to 200 year-round swimmers. Many of these athletes are top-place finishers in Junior Olympic competitions and are pursuing collegiate swimming.

About Johnsie

Johnsie grew up in Santa Clarita Valley when it was an all-farming community. Her family was in the farming business and grew “Bunny Luv” carrots. Johnsie has been working for Invited since 1964, starting at Braemar Country Club in the Accounting department in which during that time, all statements were printed. In 1975, Johnsie joined the Porter Valley team. Porter Valley has long been a family affair for the Manlowe family as Johnsie’s daughter, Madeline, son, Dean, and grandson have worked in various roles at the Club. Johnsie is blessed with 15 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. She also considers her relationships with Members and Employee Partners to be familial, as this has been more than a job. Johnsie hopes our Members share the same experience with their families at Porter Valley that she and her family have enjoyed throughout the last 46 years.