By:
Marc DeWall, PGA, General Manager and Kathi Spink, SHRM CP, Human Resources
Our annual Employee Appreciation Party shines a spotlight on the people who define our organization. From innovative ideas to exceptional teamwork, we gather to acknowledge the people and moments that make our progress possible.
C-a-Star Program
The Club’s C-a-Star program is a way for members, management and fellow employees to nominate staff that have gone above and beyond their role.
Each quarter, representatives from each department come together to review the nominations and select three or four winners. The winners receive prizes and get to sit down with Charlie Hill, David Hill, Marc DeWall and Kathi Spink for a private lunch. In addition, winning a C-a-Star of the quarter puts you in the running for Employee of the Year, which is announced each January at our Employee Appreciation Party.
You would think that member-facing nominations would outweigh back-of-the-house nominations, but the ratio is very close. We see winners from Golf Course Maintenance, our Culinary team, Accounting, and Maintenance and Housekeeping.
To nominate a staff member, you can fill out one of the forms located throughout the Clubs or online through the Club website.
Employee of the Year ‘25
Jamie Oscik
Employee of the Year ‘25
Jamie is our resident CPA on what we lovingly call the “Nerd Squad” here at the Club. Some of you may know Jamie from her time up at the DHI development office, but when a spot became available here at the Club, we scooped her up. Jamie brings a strong dedication to accounting, spreadsheets, tax filings and all things nerd.
Originally from Hawaii, she followed her husband around the world until they threw a dart at a map and ended up in Boerne. Her father has migrated from Hawaii to the Hill Country as well.
Between raising their twins and being a Navy wife, Jamie went back to school to earn her CPA, while being pregnant with and having her youngest son. Her husband is retired Navy and is now a stay-at-home (sometimes hubby-for-hire) dad to their three children: twins – a boy and girl with one going to Boerne High and one to Champion, and the final piece to the puzzle, a little one in Pre-K.
Penny Smith, C-a-Star – Q4 ‘25
Penny joined our housekeeping team in July of 2022. You may see this little spitfire running around the Clubhouse keeping everything sparkling. Penny lives in Bandera with one of her two grown sons, and her (almost) 6-year-old granddaughter. If you ever need a pick me up, just ask Penny how her granddaughter is. You will be regaled with stories about a little girl wearing a princess gown and playing with frogs. Fun fact about Penny — her family worked for Frito-Lay for many years, and her holiday recipes come from the Frito cookbook. Ask her about Frito stuffing served at Thanksgiving.
Some of the qualities that brought Penny to our quarterly luncheon are her reliability, commitment to the Club and members, her easy manner and her sneezes that sound like a newborn kitten. If you ever hear a random scream in or near the Clubhouse, it’s probably somebody that snuck up on Penny, or she ran into a bug that set off her inner security alarm.
Greg Lopez, C-a-Star – Q4 ‘25
Sous Chef Greg Lopez was born in Austin to a mother from Mexico and an American father. Every year, Greg’s father would travel up north to find work, and he put the siblings through college with his hard work. Greg is very family oriented, and that is one of the things that he loves about working at the Club — the family-forward atmosphere. Greg’s two favorite people are his wife and daughter.
During Greg’s time away from the Club, he runs a barbecue food truck. If you’ve ever had the brisket at the Club, you’ve tasted Chef Greg’s special talent.
Greg joined the culinary team back in 2013 and stayed with us until 2017, then took some time away to gain experience in other kitchens. In 2019, a sous chef position became available and Greg brought his outside experience back to the Club to take on the role. It has been inspirational to see how Greg has stepped into the expanded role and maintained his grace and sense of humor.
Donavan Soria, C-a-Star – Q4 ‘25
Oh Donavan, our resident class clown who brings a lightness and joy to our team. Donavan hails from New York City — he claims Manhattan, but I think we can all agree that his accent is a little more Brooklyn. Donavan moved to our neck of the Hill Country to be near his two children with his ex-wife; he also has sole custody of a 3-year-old daughter. A devoted father to his three children, Donavan can be found doing something outdoorsy and fun with his kids on his time off.
As part of our maintenance team, Donavan can be found up a ladder, under a piece of equipment, sitting in the middle of a piece of office equipment that needs to be put together, or helping to decorate and prepare for Club events.
Some of the reasons that Donavan was recognized are his reliability, dedication to his team and the Club, and his easy-going manner. If you run into Donavan, you’ll find a ready smile and quick wit to brighten up your day.
