SAM Magazine—Jackson Hole, Wyo., Feb. 3, 2025—Mary Kate Buckley will retire as CEO of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on May 31, 2025, after seven years leading the resort. Resort COO Doug Pierini will succeed Buckley on June 1, 2025. Doug Pierini and Mary Kate Buckley

“It has been an incredible honor to work with Mary Kate, from her time on the board to leading JHMR as president and CEO,” said JHMR owner Eric Macy. “She has left an enduring legacy on this resort, always putting our employees, guests, and the broader community first.” 

Under Buckley’s leadership, the resort underwent significant infrastructure expansion including upgrading and adding chairlifts, extending snowmaking and glading, and increasing hiking and mountain biking trails. She added more than 100 incremental employee housing units during her tenure, modernized ticketing and digital systems, launched a new reservation platform, led sustainability efforts by transitioning to 100 percent wind power, and spearheaded renovations of retail spaces and on-mountain dining.

“The successes of the past seven years are a testament to the incredible team of employees I’ve had the privilege to lead. With the smooth transition from Kemmerer ownership to the Corbat and Macy families, I feel this is the right time to step down,” said Buckley, adding that she has “full confidence that the resort is in the best possible hands for our guests, employees, and community.” 

To ensure a smooth leadership transition, Pierini, who was hired as chief operating officer in July 2024, will assume control of the daily operational responsibilities for JHMR, effective immediately. 

"Doug is a strong leader with a deep understanding of both the operational and cultural aspects that make Jackson Hole Mountain Resort so special,” said Mike Corbat, JHMR owner. “His extensive experience at top resorts around the world, combined with his roots in this community, gives him a unique perspective on how to balance innovation with JHMR’s legacy.”

Earlier in his career, Pierini spent a decade with JHMR’s mountain sports school in the 1990s. Prior to his return to JHMR, Pierini spent 13 years at Vail Resorts, where he most recently served as the senior vice president and chief operating officer for the company’s Western Region and three Australian resorts. He also served as the senior vice president and chief operating officer for the company’s Eastern Region from 2019-21.

“I consider my previous experience at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort one of the highlights of my life,” said Pierini. “I’m honored to step into this role and continue building on the strong foundation that Mary Kate and the entire JHMR team have created.”