At the corporate level, Michele Roy has assumed the role of chief financial officer and senior vice president. Prior to taking on Stevens Pass, Roy held senior management positions at both Mountain High, and Snow Valley, Calif. In her 17-year career, she has been instrumental in creating industry-based financial systems that have increased efficiencies and profitability.

Paul Bauer has taken the position of COO, overseeing all operations and environmental affairs at the two areas. Previously, Bauer served for 11 years as VP of environmental affairs at Mountain High, and 12 years as VP of mountain operations at Snow Valley. He is charged with developing collaborations between the two areas.

John McColly has become chief marketing officer and will oversee sales, marketing, and business development for the two companies. McColly is a 6-time NSAA marketing award winner with more than 20 years of experience, and was most recently VP of sales and marketing at Mountain High.

At Stevens Pass, Bill Bourton officially steps into the GM position; he had been acting GM since former GM John Gifford resigned last April. In his first seven years at Stevens Pass he was director of financial and human services, where he developed a forecasting tool that helped adjust staffing and operating levels based on anticipated visits. This reduced expenses and increased profitability.

At Mountain High, Ben Smith has moved from VP of resort operations to GM, and now oversees all day-to-day operations. Smith has been with the company since 1992. He has held many positions, ranging from lift mechanic to mountain manager.

There are several new VPs at the two resorts as well; we’ll have details in the September issue of SAM.

“I am excited about the management team we have assembled,” said Karl Kapuscinski, president and CEO of the two resorts. “They bring a lot of industry experience, passion, and leadership to their respective positions.”