SAM Magazine-Glens Falls, N.Y., May 4, 2007-Scott Brandi becomes president and executive director of the Ski Areas of New York (SANY) on June 1, replacing Dirk Gouwens, who resigned to join the Lake Placid Visitors' Bureau as vp of marketing and brand development.

"In my new position I will be able to apply the skills and industry knowledge gathered over the last 27 years," said Brandi. "I have an ambitious agenda and look forward to taking SANY to the next level. We need to build a solid financial base to allow us to fund efforts on legislative, promotional and other issues. We will be exploring our options in this regard. New York State government is a very dynamic institution,and as such it requires ongoing monitoring and an active presence. We will continue to expand our efforts and message in Albany."

Brandi, who has been senior VP of Willis' MountainGuard program, will leave the company, but his newly formed Brandi Insurance Group, LLC will continue to represent the program with current and future clients. "The transition should be seamless, with no interruption in relationships or services," Brandi said.

Also on June 1, Brandi Insurance Group will assume management of the Winter Sports Safety Group, the state resorts' workers' comp program, which Brandi helped create 11 years ago and which he termed "the most successful ski industry workers' comp insurance program of its kind. We have 11 consecutive years of paying our membership a dividend based on loss history, and we base our success on aggressive risk and claims management," he said.

Between now and June 1, Brandi is busy establishing new contact information, phone and fax numbers, email and regular mail addresses and websites.