During his tenure, Kautz and his management team oversaw the renovation of the Village at Sugar Bowl. Real estate sales related to the project financed more than $60 million of on-mountain improvements, including new express lifts, lodges, and snowmaking.

Kautz also led and executed the construction of the Mt. Judah Day Lodge and parking area, a new ski academy campus, and the Sporthaus, a new pool and fitness training center in the Sugar Bowl Village. In 2012, Sugar Bowl Resort purchased Royal Gorge, North America’s largest cross country ski resort. In 2013, Sugar Bowl honored Kautz with a new, steep run off of the Crow’s Peak chairlift named “Rob’s Run.”

“Rob has been one of the unflappable pillars of the winter sports industry. His intelligence, resourcefulness and effective leadership have been fundamental to the popularity and success of Sugar Bowl," said Bob Roberts, president and CEO of the California Ski Industry Association.

Kautz served as a board member and chair of the National Ski Areas Association and was a long-time board member and chair of the California Ski Industry Association.