SAM Magazine—Detroit Lakes, Minn., Nov. 6, 2023—Detroit Mountain has named Tom Thiel as its new general manager. Thiel, a former beverage sales manager and self-described outdoor enthusiast, will be responsible for running the day-to-day operations of the city-owned facility that offers downhill and cross-country mountain biking in summer and 45 skiable acres with 210 feet of vertical decent served by two chairlifts and four surface lifts in winter. 

“We’re excited to have him on board, he’s a super positive guy,” Mark Fritz, a board member of the nonprofit Detroit Mountain Recreation Area, told Valley News Live. “He’s good at team-building, a positive force, and that’s what we’re looking for out there.” 

Fritz added that Thiel is an accomplished leader with a proven background in developing, managing, and scaling teams, product strategies, and sales initiatives.

Prior to joining the DMRA team, Thiel spent 20 years serving management roles in retail and distribution operations in the beverage industry. He worked as a fine wine specialist and a portfolio manager, most recently serving as division manager for all of North Dakota.

“Although my jump from the beverage industry to the outdoor recreation industry may seem unconventional, my interests have led me back to my roots. I grew up riding my bike anywhere and everywhere, and always yearned for the best bikes and the best gear,” Thiel told Valley News Live.

“At this point I’m just trying to learn as much as I can,” he added. “This winter will be a really intense learning period for me in this business. There are some very talented people I work with here, and I’ll rely on them heavily—it’s great to be around people so passionate about the mountain.” 

Theil replaces Mark Knutson, who was killed in a bicycle accident in July. Detroit Mountain has set its winter opening day for Nov. 25, weather permitting.