2020 Mel Rex Award

Lawrence McFadden – ECM

The Union Club

Lawrence was hired as General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of The Union Club of Cleveland in June 2015. He is a certified Master Chef, one of only two professionals nationally to hold this accreditation while working as General Manager/COO in the private club sector. Lawrence’s strength is his ability to identify trends, develop a team focus, while balancing the reality of business and the costs associated. 

The COVID pandemic presented significant challenges to club leadership and management.  Lawrence and his team worked to retain staff, ensure the safety of the employees and clubhouse during the riots in Cleveland, and devised ways to bring expenses in line with falling revenue.  

Lawrence holds a degree in Culinary Technology from Asheville-Buncombe Technical College. In 2003 he was presented with an honorary Doctoral Degree of Culinary from Johnson & Wales University for outstanding contributions to the club industry. Lawrence and his wife Laura of 28 years have twin daughters, Isabella and Brenna.