SAM Magazine-Telluride, Colo., June 26, 2007-Dave Riley will become the new president and CEO of the Telluride Ski and Golf Resort in late July. Riley has been president and CEO of Mt. Hood Meadows ski resort, where he has worked since 1993.

Telluride has operated without a CEO for the past few years-since the days when Booth Creek managed the area, said principal owner Chuck Horning-to allow the new owners to learn about the business. They have learned enough that the company has been conducting a thorough, deliberate search for a CEO for some time, Horning noted.

"One of our directions is to make Telluride a really great leading-edge destination experience. Having Dave there will enhance that process a lot," he said.

"It's a very exciting opportunity for me and my family," Riley told SAM. It's a homecoming of sorts, since he attended Mesa State College near Telluride before entering the ski business 21 years ago.

Riley led Mt. Hood Meadows through several expansion and improvement projects. During his tenure the resort enjoyed significant growth, with visits topping 400,000 in four of the past six seasons, including a record 500,000 skier visit season in 2005-06. "I'm very proud to have been a part of many of the successes at Mt. Hood Meadows over the past several years. Much of the credit goes to the expert management team which is committed to the resort's mission to become the 'Best in the West' in employee and guest loyalty," Riley said.

Mt. Hood Meadows chairman and CEO Matthew Drake praised Riley's leadership, saying, "He has been a real asset to the community and to this company. I wish him every success at his new endeavor in Colorado."

Meadows is beginning a search for Riley's replacement immediately.