Supporting and promoting the industry's emerging leaders has always been a top priority at SAM magazine whether that be in the pages of the magazine, on our podcast channel, or through our programs like the 10 Under 30 and the SAM Summit Series. We've compiled these resources in one convenient place so you always know where to go when looking for inspiration on your career journey.
AWARDS AND CONTESTS
The Summit Series
SAM's Summit Series leadership development platform offers mountain resort professionals at all levels the opportunity to learn from industry leaders, peers, and experts, and gain tangible takeaways to apply to their careers, operations, and teams. Learn more.
SAMMYs
The SAMMYs highlight innovative, inspiring, courageous, and passionate leaders who are making a difference in the industry locally or nationally. Nominations open in January. Check out last year's winners and learn more.
10 Under 30
SAM Magazine is always looking for a few talented, young men and women for our annual "10 Under 30" feature, which profiles up-and-coming employees in their 20s who are rapidly making an impact in our industry. Thank you for your help in identifying these bright and industrious rising stars with the passion and fire that will ensure the success of mountain resorts across North America for years to come. View this year's 10 under 30 class and learn more. Nominations open at the end of April.
I AM a Snowmaker
The I AM a Snowmaker contest—sponsored by HKD Snowmakers—highlights the hard work, determination, and camaraderie of snowmakers, and recognizes their critical contributions to the alpine, Nordic, snowboard, and winter tubing industry. I AM a Snowmaker was launched in 2013, and has highlighted the expertise and character of a wide variety of snowmaking teams across North America. Learn more.
Rise Up Challenge
A good lift mechanic is hard to find. Leitner-Poma of America wants to help the industry rise up to the challenge of supporting the next generation of lift mechanics, with the annual Rise Up Challenge. Six chosen resorts will create videos showcasing the rising stars on their lift maintenance crews, alongside mentors and teammates. Learn more.
PodSAM
Tune in to PodSAM, the podcast channel for SAM Magazine. These podcasts include interviews with industry professionals, session discussions from industry events, and conversations from our Summit Series program.
LEADERSHIP ARTICLES
View the most recent articles on Leadership Development from SAM magazine.
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January 2025Change Management
When change seems to be all we do, how do we manage it to our advantage? Bob Dylan once said, “There is nothing so stable as change,” meaning that everything changes at some point, or change is constant, which is true. Also true is that foregoing what is firmly established, i.e., stable, in When change seems to be all we do, how do we manage it to our advantage?
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January 2025Meet Mike
SAM sat down with the new National Ski Areas Association president and CEO, Mike Reitzell. In September, the National Ski Areas Association named Mike Reitzell as its new president and CEO. Unlike his predecessors, Reitzell doesn’t come to the job with a background in resort operations. Rather, SAM sat down with the new National Ski Areas Association president and CEO, Mike Reitzell.
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September 2024Words To Live By
“Culture statements” form the backbone of a strong company culture and talent development strategy at Arizona Snowbowl. The difficulties facing those who enter mountain resort life are well documented: long hours (and, ironically, little ski/board time), high cost of living, high expectations, “Culture statements” form the backbone of a strong company culture and talent development strategy at...
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July 202410 Under 30
This class of 20-somethings is sure to impress with their problem-solving prowess, bright ideas, team-building skills, and passion for the industry. A self-proclaimed “lift nerd.” A calm-as-a-cucumber-in-a-crisis assistant patrol director. A “gifted clinic leader.” A viral content creator. This class of 20-somethings is sure to impress with their problem-solving prowess, bright ideas,...
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March 2024Following the Leader
Industry mentors share best practices for building and leading effective teams, including hiring the right people, setting clear priorities, and coaching crews to success. Several factors distinguish great leaders from the simply good, including the ability to build great teams. But what d Industry mentors share best practices for building and leading effective teams, including hiring...
View all leadership development articles.
NEWS
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Faces and Places
Buckley to Retire as CEO of JHMR, Doug Pierini to Succeed
SAM Magazine—Jackson Hole, Wyo., Feb. 3, 2025—Mary Kate Buckley will retire as CEO of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on May 31, 2025, after seven years leading the resort. Resort COO Doug Pierini will succeed Buckley on June 1, 2025. Doug Pierini and Mary Kate Buckley “It has been an incred SAM Magazine—Jackson Hole, Wyo., Feb. 3, 2025—Mary Kate Buckley will retire as CEO of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on May 31, 2025, after seven...
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Faces and Places
PSIA-AASI Hires Jeff Lifgren as New CEO
SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., Jan. 9, 2024—The Professional Ski Instructors of America and American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI) has named Jeff Lifgren as its new CEO, following an extensive national search. Lifgren, the former Vail Resorts ski and snowboard school executive SAM Magazine—Lakewood, Colo., Jan. 9, 2024—The Professional Ski Instructors of America and American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI) has named...
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Faces and Places
Snow People — December 2024
In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight personnel moves in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to awards, obits, and supplier news, we celebrate the people that make this industry thrive. PEOPLE KARA FINLEY, TAMARACK RESORT, ID Tamarack Resort chief f In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight personnel moves in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to awards, obits, and...
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Faces and Places
Megan Greenlee Promoted to GM of Mt. Brighton
SAM Magazine—Brighton, Mich., Dec. 30, 2024—Vail Resorts has promoted Megan Greenlee from senior manager of food and beverage at Afton Alps, Minn., to general manager of Mt. Brighton in Michigan, effective January 13.Credit to Mt. Brighton She succeeds Mike Giorgio, who took over as general ma SAM Magazine—Brighton, Mich., Dec. 30, 2024—Vail Resorts has promoted Megan Greenlee from senior manager of food and beverage at Afton Alps, Minn.,...
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Faces and Places
Snowbasin’s Ratchford and Sun Valley’s Sonntag Both Promoted to COO
SAM Magazine—Cheyenne, Wyo., Dec. 20, 2024—Grand America Hotels & Resorts has promoted Pete Sonntag to chief operating officer of Sun Valley Resort, Idaho, and Davy Ratchford to chief operating officer of Snowbasin Resort, Utah. Both will also continue in their current capacity as general m SAM Magazine—Cheyenne, Wyo., Dec. 20, 2024—Grand America Hotels & Resorts has promoted Pete Sonntag to chief operating officer of Sun Valley Resort,...
