SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Oct. 2, 2024—Eleven up-and-coming industry leaders have been selected to participate as mentees in the SAM Summit Series leadership development program. Hailing from resorts of all sizes across North America, the mentees represent many different departments and roles.  

The 2024-25 Summit Series mentees are:

• Josiah Akin, Maintenance and Rental Manager, Mt. Hood Skibowl, Ore.
• Christie Barbour, Lift Operations Manager, Whistler Blackcomb, BC
• Rob Hallowell, Innovative Environments Manager, Boreal Mountain Resort, Woodward Tahoe, Soda Springs Mountain Resort, Calif.
• Ella Klott, Sales Manager, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo.
• Sarah Nutt, Assistant Patrol Director, Sunday River Resort, Maine
• Loryn Roberson, Incoming Director of Marketing and Communications, Loveland, Colo.
• Tim Shannon, Director of Skier Services, The Hermitage Club at Haystack Mountain, Vt.
• Jenny Weaver, Health and Safety Manager, Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain, Calif.
• Jeremy Wildgoose, Director of Lodging, Schweitzer, Idaho
• Kyle Wilson, Snow Sports Director, Nordic Mountain, Wis.
• Rachel Wyckoff, Marketing Director, Shawnee Mountain, Pa.

Learn more about the mentees here.

Now in its seventh year, the Summit Series course topics will focus on self and team management during times of constant change. The program includes four professionally facilitated calls on leadership skills and ski area management. Paul Thallner, founder of organizational development and education firm High Peaks Group, will guide the discussions.

These conversations will be shared in the pages of SAM magazine, online at saminfo.com, and on SAM's podcast, PodSAM, starting in 2025. Each mentee will also be paired with one of the mentors to participate in one-on-one calls during the season to discuss career goals.

This year’s Summit Series mentors are:

• Ross Boisvert, VP and GM, McIntyre Ski Area, N.H.
• Shannon Buhler, VP and GM, Keystone Resort, Colo.
• Rich Burkley, CEO, Lake Louise Ski Area and Summer Gondola, Alberta
• Kim Jones, VP and General Counsel, WinSport Olympic Park, Alberta
• Karl Kapuscinski, CEO, California Mountain Resort Company, Calif.
• Bridget Legnavsky, CEO and President, Sugar Bowl, Calif.
• R. Murray, Chief Planning Officer, Mountain Capital Partners
• Ken Rider, General Manager, Brundage Mountain, Idaho
• Karyn Thorr, COO, Crystal Mountain, Mich.
• Brent Tregaskis, President and GM, Eldora, Colo.
• Mike Unruh, Senior Vice President of Mountain Operations, Boyne Resorts

Learn more about the mentors here.

“With over 60 nominations to choose from, the process of narrowing down the list is always a challenge,” said SAM publisher Olivia Rowan. “However, nothing is more fulfilling than reading about the interests and accomplishments of the industry’s next generation of leadership, and we’re thrilled to have a part in their professional growth.”

The Summit Series is made possible in partnership with its sponsor, MountainGuard, which has supported this leadership development program since its inception.