Club Information

From left to right: Joe Harrison, Scott Hemmerly,, Chris Swinn, Zack Whitaker, Lisa Claire, Renee Roebuck, Wendy Collins

Joe Harrison, Executive Sous Chef

Joe is not quite a native of Atlanta, but moved here when he was only four. Joe’s passion for cooking developed early and began cooking professionally at age 15. His top passions in the kitchen are Southern, Mexican and new American cooking. Outside of the kitchen they are bike riding and the Atlanta Braves. After moving away and working with two of Denver’s top chefs, Joe settled back in Atlanta in 2010 and he and his high school sweetheart, Kathleen, are expecting their first child, a girl, in October of 2011. Chef Joe is proud to be a member of Slow Foods Atlanta and has been published in Vesta Dipping Grills Cookbook. To contact Joe, jharrison@peachtreeclub.com.

Scott Hemmerly, Executive Chef

Meet our new Executive Chef! The Peachtree Club is thrilled to welcome our new executive Chef Scott Hemmerly. Chef Scott is a graduated of The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, NY and a First Level Sommelier, certified by the Master Guild of Sommelier. Most recently Scott comes to us from The Mansion on Peachtree, a Four-Diamond boutique hotel in Buckhead, where he served as Executive Sous Chef. Before The Mansion, he was with The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead for over 4 years. A native of Columbus Ohio, Scott loves his Ohio State Buckeyes as much as he loves to cook. He is also an avid hiker and passionate about world soccer. He has lived in Atlanta since 2004 with his beautiful wife Euriel and 8 year old son, Emmanuel. Scott has a passion for farm to table cuisine and is member of Georgia Organics, as well as being named Mother Nature Network’s top 40 chefs under the age of 40. We are excited to see what he brings to our table.
To contact Scott, shemmerly@peachtreeclub.com.

Chris Swinn, Owner/General Manager

Chris came across the pond in September of 1989 from his native Southampton, England, intending to have a 6 month stay in the States to help get The Peachtree Club up and running. Fast forward to present day and Chris is now the Owner/General manager--plans changed. After receiving a High National Diploma in Hotel Catering and Institutional Management at Huddersfield University in Yorkshire, England, Chris worked at the Four Seasons Hotel in London. Prior to coming to Atlanta, he managed The Box Tree Restaurant, a Michelin Starred Restaurant, in Yorkshire. Chris married an American girl, Mary Munger, in 1994, and now they have two American girls of their own, Emily born in 1996 and Rachel in 1998. Chris bought the Club in May 2001, and continues to act as General Manager, the role he has served since 1989.
To contact Chris, cswinn@peachtreeclub.com.

Zack Whitaker, Food and Beverage Manager

Zack, a native of Fort Valley Georgia, began working at The Peachtree Club in while studying Architecture and Management at The Georgia Institute of Technology. After a few years as a server and then bartender, Zack became the Club’s Service Manager in late 2007. Over the years his responsibilities have grown and Zack is now our Food and Beverage Manager. When away from the Club, Zack can usually be found on one of the many golf courses in the Atlanta area or at the local pub cheering on his beloved Yellow Jackets. To contact Zack, zwhitaker@peachtreeclub.com.

Lisa Claire, Catering Associate

Lisa Claire grew up in Hinckley, a small town 30 minutes south of Cleveland, Ohio. In 2008, Lisa earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Marketing. After graduating from Baldwin-Wallace College and 22 years of struggling through the bitter winters, she decided it was time to move south to warmer weather! Just a few months of living in Atlanta, Lisa knew this would soon become her new home. Lisa joined The Peachtree Club team in June of 2010 and is very excited to grow with the Club. She has become a valuable asset, and her responsibilities grow daily. Along with learning the catering and event business, Lisa has picked up the hobby of running and any activity that involves meeting new and exciting people. Lisa is looking forward to many more years in Atlanta and enjoying its southern hospitality. To contact Lisa, lclaire@peachtreeclub.com.

Renee Roebuck, Banquet Manager

Renee was born and raised in Washington, DC and moved to Atlanta when she as 17. Dion, her only son, is a sophomore at Xavier University, in New Orleans. Renee enjoys horseback riding, bowling and reading in her rare spare time. With a varied background in hospitality/food management, including being the first health inspector for Turner Field, Renee is the newest member of The Peachtree Club team. She joined us in the summer of 2011 after serving many years with Dennis Dean Catering here in Atlanta. She enjoys meeting new people and providing the best customer service possible. Renee is enjoying her new work “family” and plans on being here as long as some of the staff already have been. She says so far it has been a great ride and it will continue to enhance her managerial and personal skills. To contact Renee, lroebuck@peachtreeclub.com.

Wendy Collins, CPCE, Director of Catering

Wendy began her hospitality career in St. John, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands. After surviving a few hurricanes, she made her way back to Atlanta, where she is a second generation native. Wendy has been at The Peachtree Club since the fall of 1999. She loves midtown and works hard keeping business in the neighborhood. Wendy has been an active member of NACE, the National Association of Catering Executives, since 1999. She received her CPCE (Certified Professional Catering Executive) certification in 2003. Wendy would like to relocate her office to The Skyline Terrace, but finds it difficult to accomplish much while outside!
To contact Wendy, wcollins@peachtreeclub.com.