Spotlight On: RJ Pratt, General Manager, Rivers Club

Key points:

• Rivers Club aims to elevate its position as Pittsburgh’s premier social, dining, and athletic club, according to General Manager, RJ Pratt.

• Leadership is focused on enhancing service while respecting the club’s long-standing heritage.

• Downtown growth and corporate expansion are expected to drive new membership momentum.

January 2026 — An ideal downtown location for executives and regional leaders to gather, Rivers Club has put an emphasis on an elevated member experience. In an interview with Invest:, General Manager RJ Pratt shared what the club is implementing to take it to new heights. “The downtown area is beginning to see a revival, five years post-covid and Rivers Club is excited,” said Pratt.

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As the new general manager, what is your vision for the Rivers Club and what immediate priorities are you focused on in your first year?

My vision is to position the Rivers Club as the premier social, dining and athletic club in the greater Pittsburgh area. During my first year with Rivers Club, I am prioritizing building relationships with our staff and members and setting new service standards for an elevated member experience.

How do you plan to balance preserving the club’s long-standing heritage with introducing new ideas and experiences for members?

I believe it is important to seek out feedback and listen to long-tenured members and staff to understand the club’s history, while implementing new experiences and ideas to ensure continual growth.

How is the Rivers Club positioning itself as a gathering place for executives and regional leaders?

Rivers Club is situated in an ideal downtown location for executives and regional leaders to gather. We offer up to seven private meeting spaces to pair with food and beverage offerings curated by our Executive Chef Jim Gelzheiser who has served the club for twenty-one years. We also have five co-working spaces that are perfect for those who work remote, travel for work, or have the need for one-on-one meetings

What opportunities do you see for the Rivers Club over the next three to five years as Pittsburgh continues to grow and diversify?

Downtown Pittsburgh expects to see an influx of new residents and businesses over the next three to five years. The downtown area is beginning to see a revival, five years post-covid and Rivers Club is excited for the opportunity to work with more local businesses, residential buildings and large companies moving offices into downtown high-rises. I would expect tremendous membership growth given our discounts offered to downtown residents and corporate membership. 

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