Dedication and hospitality drive our team at The Club. Whether you simply want to relax or are ready for an adventure, our seasoned staff is committed to helping you get the most out of your time at Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe | Houston.
DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
Originally from Southern California, Lori Granato joins the Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe team after four years serving as the Spa & VillaKids Director at the VillaSport Athletic Club in Magnolia, TX. Prior to joining VillaSport, Lori worked in various roles in the Katy Independent School District and was Director of Children at the Katy YMCA. A graduate of the University of Houston, Lori received her Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies.
When she’s not working, Lori loves spending time outdoors with her husband, three children and two grandsons. They enjoy soaking up the Texas sun with boating on the lake and visiting the beach. She is also a running enthusiast and has completed many half marathons in the area.
Lori looks forward to meeting each member and learning more about their interests, so that she can help everyone have their best experience at the club.
DIRECTOR OF GOLF, PGA
Ralph Smith, PGA, began his career in 2004 with ClubCorp, where he quickly discovered that golf was his passion. A short four years later, he earned his PGA Membership. While employed at Deerwood Country Club as the First Assistant Golf Professional Ralph served as a rule’s official for the second stage of PGA Q School. Ralph also holds many certifications in club fitting and repair as well as teaching.
Following his tenure at Deerwood Country Club, Ralph joined the Golf Galaxy team as Director of Instruction for four years before moving to La Torretta Resort & Spa as Director of Golf in April of 2015. Ralph was excited to stay on with the resort as it underwent a multi-million-dollar transformation beginning in 2019 to become a new Margaritaville Lake Resort.
Ralph’s passion to help others play better golf comes from his own experiences with golf instruction as a junior and high school player. He is an ambitious PGA Member that enjoys growing others’ love for the game of golf.
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL, PGA
Chad Dempsay started his golf career in Dallas, TX, working as a golf assistant and outside supervisor at the Bent Tree Country Club. In 2006, Chad moved to McKinney, TX to become the Assistant Golf Professional at Eldorado Country Club, where he discovered his passion for teaching the game to young and old alike. It was here that Chad’s teaching and golf career blossomed, and he was made the Head Teaching Professional in 2008.
In 2012, Chad moved to Houston to be closer to family and accepted the Assistant Golf Professional position at the former La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa. In addition to being the assistant golf pro, Chad was also the Head Teaching Professional and was in charge of private and group lessons, as well as running group and junior golf clinics. One of Chad’s favorite parts of his job is teaching his club members and students, and he has immensely enjoyed watching them grow in the game of golf over the years. In 2019, Chad decided to stay on with the resort as it began its transition to Margaritaville – he is excited about all the upgrades and amenities that the members and public will get to enjoy, on and off the golf course!
DIRECTOR OF St. Somewhere Spa
Jennifer has been working at St. Somewhere Spa for over 15 years and was the lead esthetician prior to accepting this position! Although facials are her main specialty, she is also a licensed cosmetologist and performs nail and hair services. Accommodating people and making them feel special is a true passion of hers and she is excited to carry over. Jen brings passion, along with my many years of spa knowledge into this new role!
DIRECTOR OF FOOD & BEVERAGE
Ramirez joined the resort recently from Lupe Tortilla, where he served as managing partner. His experience also includes time spent with Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma as the senior director of food & beverage over multi-casino operations as well as free-standing franchised restaurants, King Ranch Texas Kitchen, and as a general manager specializing in new restaurant openings for Saltgrass Steakhouse, a division of Landry’s Restaurant Inc. Ramirez is a graduate of the Walt Disney Leadership Training Program and possesses a wide range of core competencies, including food & beverage operations, menu pricing, and management, vendor relations management, and staff/training development.
