The People Behind The Partnership

Michael brings extensive experience in executive leadership development, mentorship, organizational performance, and leadership coaching. His career has focused on developing high-performing teams, supporting leaders through periods of transition, and building sustainable systems that strengthen organizational performance.

Michael specializes in executive mentorship, leadership integration, organizational alignment, and leadership development programs designed to support long-term success beyond placement. His work reflects the belief that leadership success is not simply about hiring exceptional people — it is about creating environments where exceptional leaders can thrive.

Joseph brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience across private clubs, luxury hospitality organizations, multi-unit operations, and complex service environments. Throughout his career, he has led organizations through transformational growth, operational improvement, leadership development, and strategic change.

Joseph specializes in executive recruitment, leadership advisory, governance alignment, operational excellence, and long-term leadership integration. His experience working alongside boards, executive teams, and leadership groups provides organizations with practical, operator-led insight grounded in real-world hospitality leadership.

Master Chef Gerald Ford brings more than three decades of culinary leadership experience spanning luxury hospitality, Michelin-starred restaurants, elite private clubs, and international culinary competition.

As one of fewer than 80 Certified Master Chefs in the United States and former Captain of Culinary Team USA, Chef Ford provides specialized expertise supporting culinary leadership recruitment, executive coaching, leadership development, and operational excellence initiatives.

With 30 years in the culinary industry, Master Chef Gerald Ford stands as one of less than 80 Certified Master Chefs in the United States and a former Captain of the American National Culinary Team USA. Chef Ford’s career includes significant positions with globally renowned luxury brands including The Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons, and Ritz Carlton, roles at Michelin-starred restaurants The Moulin de Mougins and Eleven Madison Park, and up until 2020 leading culinary programs in elite private clubs as an Executive Chef, and Culinary Director. Chef Ford now teaches, speaks and coaches on the principles learned throughout his career.

In 2018, Chef Ford’s experience led him to establish Legit Concepts, where he offers a transformative approach for culinary leaders. Legit Concepts provides structured systems and coaching to help chefs excel amid today’s culinary demands, guiding them to overcome disorganization, streamline operations, and alleviate burnout. Chef Ford’s programs emphasize leadership, technique, and process, empowering Executive Chefs to lead motivated teams in efficient, high-performing kitchens that consistently deliver top-quality service and dining experiences. By cultivating growth, creativity, and mastery in the craft, Master Chef Ford and his company supports chefs in elevating both their professional impact and their quality of life.

Chef Ford’s mission through Legit Concepts is simple: to advance the craft of cooking while enhancing the lives of culinary professionals worldwide. His insights and methods help chefs focus on what matters most: leading with vision, mastering the craft of cooking, fostering the next generation, competing at the highest levels and building a lasting culinary legacy.

Dan Marco, CGCS, serves as Associate Partner – Agronomy Executive Search Practice for MJ Executive Hospitality Group, where he leads executive search engagements for golf course and grounds leadership positions throughout the private club and hospitality industries.

With more than three decades of distinguished experience in golf course management and agronomic leadership, Dan has built an exceptional reputation for delivering championship-quality playing conditions while developing high-performing teams and fostering cultures of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

As a Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS), Dan has successfully led every aspect of golf course operations, including agronomic planning, capital improvement projects, irrigation management, environmental stewardship, equipment replacement strategies, budget development, and long-range master planning. Throughout his career, he has partnered closely with General Managers, Directors of Golf, Green Committees, Boards of Directors, architects, and ownership groups to align agronomic excellence with each club’s strategic vision.

Dan understands firsthand that successful agronomy leadership requires far more than technical expertise. Today’s Directors of Agronomy must be exceptional communicators, financial stewards, strategic planners, and collaborative leaders capable of balancing member expectations, environmental sustainability, fiscal responsibility, and operational excellence.

This operational perspective enables Dan to identify leaders who not only possess superior agronomic knowledge but who also fit the culture, governance, and long-term objectives of each organization.