Meet the Team

David Howerton is chairman of Hart Howerton, a team of strategists, planners, architects, landscape architects and designers with a global practice headquartered in New York and San Francisco. The firm has had the opportunity to work on combined conservation and development projects in the most spectacular natural settings, historic towns and vibrant, growing cities. Their long-term, broad-based, innovative outlook is linked to practical, time-sensitive business and conservation plans. Whole-system sustainability is an integral part of the practice.

Admiration and respect for the classic golf courses of the “Golden Age of Architecture” is a shared philosophy that traditional, strategic golf is the most rewarding. Collaborating with Ben Crenshaw, the artistry of Bill Coore honors the classic work of Ross, Mackenzie, Macdonald, Maxwell and Tillinghast. The glorious result is a course and experience that are timeless by design.

Milward is a Certified Club Manager (CCM) through the Club Managers Association of America. His previous experience includes serving as General Manager at Shooting Star in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a Tom Fazio-designed course ranked #1 in the state. Milward also served as General Manager at Glenwild Golf Club & Spa in Park City, Utah, co-developed by DMB Associates and Grayhawk and ranked as #1 in Utah. He started his career at Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver, Colorado. Milward and his family are thrilled to be living in Lake Tahoe and enjoy golf, skiing, hiking and mountain biking.

Georgia Chase, a certified luxury home marketing specialist, has been part of Clear Creek Tahoe since 2017 when the developer decided to bring on a professional real estate company to sell homesites to the public. She brings a wealth of experience specializing in the marketing and sales of prestigious properties in the region from her work in the family-owned business, Chase International, which is recognized as the “leader in luxury real estate” in Northern Nevada. Previous to her professional real estate career, Georgia owned and operated a general contracting business with her husband of 37 years, and bred championship Arabian horses on their ranch in Washington state over several decades.

Born and raised in Northern California, Craig came to the Real Estate Team in 2018 with an extensive sales background.  When not out touring clients at Clear Creek Tahoe, he enjoys golfing, fishing, and being close to any body of water.  This father of four recently took over the coveted title of “#1 Dad” from Director of Membership, Chris Appling.

Prior to joining the Clear Creek Sales Team in 2019, Jill led a top-producing real estate group in Southern California for 10 years. When out of the office, she loves experiencing all that Tahoe has to offer – skiing, hiking, paddle boarding, and most recently learning to golf. Living on property allows Jill time to experience and enjoy the many Clear Creek amenities and socialize with all the members.

Keith Franke, director of development and design at Clear Creek Tahoe, has a professional background in architecture and construction. For the last 20 plus years, he has been working with high-end single-family developers in the Tahoe-Truckee marketplace, designing and building exemplary custom homes and communities.

Dave Smith, Director of Development Clear Creek Tahoe. Has a professional background in residential and commercial construction as well as project management. For the past 15 years he has been building high end custom homes and commercial buildings in the Tahoe basin. He also has a been the project manager representing the owner on several commercial club buildings.

Shawn Benson brings years of culinary expertise to Clear Creek. Shawn previously worked at the Glenwild Golf Club & Spa in Park City, Utah, where he served as the Executive Sous-chef for 14 years. While at Glenwild, Shawn also assisted the sister DMB Club, Kukuiula in Kauai. Most recently, Shawn was the Executive Chef at Cottonwood Club in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is dedicated to running an uplifting kitchen that embraces learning, teaching, leading by example, and creating a strong family atmosphere while maintaining a high bar of excellence.

Brandon’s golf career began in Connecticut in 2013, soon relocating to Arizona in 2014 where he served as the Assistant Golf Professional and then Tournament Director at Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler. In 2017, he obtained his Class A Membership with the PGA of America and accepted the Head Golf Professional position at Pine Canyon. In 2020, Brandon was offered the role of Assistant General Manager and served as the interim Director of Golf at Pine Canyon. Brandon now serves as the Director of Golf at Clear Creek Tahoe and is considered “best dressed” on the team.

Michael has worked in the hospitality and gaming industry for over 32 years, primarily focusing on corporate and operational finance. Having worked his way up through the industry, he is known as an executive with the ability to provide hands-on assistance in many operational areas including accounting, finance, marketing, entertainment, information technology, and general operations. Mike comes to Clear Creek Tahoe from Sugar Bowl Resort, a ski resort near Truckee, CA, where he was the Chief Financial Officer for the past six years.

Jenn Targett, Spa and Fitness Director, has developed our spa and fitness program for our clubhouse, which includes fitness activities and exciting excursions for the whole family. Her 20+ year fitness career includes world-class experience at Golden Door in California (ranked the #1 destination spa in the world), and the Carolina Country Club, a five-star Platinum Club, where she worked with the likes of Webb Simpson, Danny Glover and Phil Jackson. An avid trail runner and outdoor enthusiast, Jenn has competed in numerous endurance adventure races and trail events. When not at work, she is in the mountains – hiking, rappelling, biking, running, and kayaking.

Chris Franke was most recently the Clubhouse Manager at Columbine Country Club in Littleton, Colorado, overseeing the completion of a 56,000 sq. ft. Clubhouse that was named “Clubhouse of the Year” by Golf, Inc magazine.  Chris is originally from Atlanta, Georgia where he earned a bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech.  He spent ten years at Cherry Hills Country Club as the Assistant Clubhouse Director, hosting three major golf championships during his tenure.  Chris is also a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and is passionate about all things wine and whiskey!

Mike Cunniff has been the Director of Greens and Grounds since 2012.  Prior to Clear Creek, he worked at multiple clubs in the Boston area and spent 8 years as the Lead Assistant at Old Sandwich Golf Club, another Coore & Crenshaw design.  His work with them and admiration for their designs is what brought him to Lake Tahoe where he resides with his wife and three children. When he’s not working, Mike enjoys skiing, mountain biking, golf, and spending time at the lake.

Christopher Appling, Director of Membership at Clear Creek Tahoe, is a Certified PGA Professional with extensive operating and development experience at some of the world’s premiere private and resort destinations. He was recently honored with the coveted #1 Dad Award.

As Director of Hospitality at Pine Canyon, Yami draws on her years of experience in the industry as she manages the community’s onsite lodging and all concierge services for their members. Prior to joining Pine Canyon, Yami served as a revenue and reservations manager at the FOUND:RE – an industrial-style boutique hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. Her portfolio of experience includes a dedication to brand cohesion, quality assurance, and creating working partnerships with top-tier hospitality brands.

Battle born Nevadan writing, creating and connecting in Reno-Tahoe area for over 10 years as a marketing professional. Kate Novak serves Clear Creek Tahoe as the Concierge and Events Manager since July 2021 and joins us from the gaming and hospitality industry as the previous Publicist of the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno. With over 15 years of planning events, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the community. When she is not busy planning events, Kate enjoys wine tasting, attending concerts, and getting on the golf course as much as possible.

Britt started at Clear Creek Tahoe in 2019 after retiring from the Reno Police Department. She served in Patrol and Investigations in the Sex Crimes|Child Abuse, Family Crimes and Fraud units, where she focused on Elder Crimes and achieved her accreditation as a Certified Fraud Examiner. During her watch at Reno PD, she was also the department’s Honor Guard lead; an instructor at the Northern Nevada Law Enforcement Academy; and the region’s forensic composite artist, utilized by several local law enforcement agencies. Britt is a native Nevadan who’s called Carson City and Reno home for over 40 years; some of her passions include camping, volleyball, art, travel and cooking.