445: “You Can’t Have Two Managers in the House” 😂 w/ Velecia Luckenbill

Private Club Radio Show

Work Hard, Be Kind, Pour the Wine.

Today’s guest is Velecia Luckenbill and trust me, you’re gonna love her.
She’s the Director of Food & Beverage at Colonial Country Club, a certified sommelier, and one of the most vibrant, driven, and straight-up joyful humans in the private club world. But her journey? It’s anything but typical.
Velecia came to the U.S. from Jamaica through an H-2B government work program. She left behind her young son, drove from Miami to Michigan, and landed in the middle of a snowstorm—with a leather jacket and no clue what a fire drill was. Fast forward: she’s now running the show, leading teams, throwing mariachi-filled parties for members, and still managing to keep her family front and center.
We talk about:
– Her path from hospitality to club leadership
– Why disconnection is just as important as connection (and how she learned the hard way)
– How she teaches wine like a boss (and why perfume is banned)
– The not-so-secret secret to a strong marriage: only one manager per household
This episode is about growth, grit, and grace—with a few laughs and wine notes along the way.

Follow us on the socials

Private Club Radio Instagram
Private Club Radio Linkedin
Denny Corby Instagram
Denny Corby Linkedin

Chapters

1. Welcome to Private Club Radio (00:00:00)

2. From Hotels to Clubs: Finding Balance (00:04:32)

3. From Jamaica to Michigan: An Origin Story (00:08:07)

4. The Wine Journey: Becoming a Somalier (00:15:14)

5. The Art of Disconnecting (00:23:06)

6. Two Managers Can't Share One House (00:28:51)

7. Future Goals: Being the People Person (00:31:59)