SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., April 1, 2025—Four remarkable leaders have been recognized with a 2025 SAMMY Leadership Award for their vision, hands-on dedication, and people-first leadership. This year’s honorees are: Bo Bigelow, executive director, Midwest Ski Areas Association and Minnesota Ski Areas Association; Greg Gavrilets, general manager, Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe, Nev.; Melissa Roberts, general manager and CFO, Berkshire East Mountain Resort, Mass.; and Katherine Seleski, project manager, Castle Mountain Resort, Alberta.

These peer-nominated leaders were celebrated not only for the impact they make within their organizations, but also for their broader contributions to the mountain resort industry—and for the humility, heart, and collaboration they bring to their work.

A special thank you to SAMMY sponsors Leitner-Poma of America and Safehold Special Risk. Their ongoing support has helped recognize and elevate outstanding leadership in the mountain resort industry since the award’s inception in 1998.

Bo Bigelow, Executive Director, Midwest Ski Areas Association and Minnesota Ski Areas Association 

With more than two decades of experience in the ski industry, Bo Bigelow has built a career as a dynamic and impactful leader. Recognized for his organizational development, strategic planning, and member engagement, Bo has helped shape several state and regional ski industry associations and their respective membership.

He currently serves as executive director of the Midwest Ski Areas Association, a role he assumed in November 2024, and as the executive director of the Minnesota Ski Areas Association (MnSAA), a role he’s held since 2020. Bo previously spent 13 years at Ski Maine where he ran the annual New England Summit conference as the association’s events and programs director. Among his other endeavors, he’s volunteered with the U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association since 2001 and currently serves as president of its board of directors.  

“Bo has long done an exceptional job at overseeing critical issues, from safety to climate to state and federal policy, and he has revitalized both the Minnesota and Midwest associations with creative ideas, political engagement, and expanded educational opportunities,” said a nominator. “He is exactly the type of industry leader who should be celebrated with a SAMMY award.”

Greg Gavrilets, General Manager, Mt. Rose - Ski Tahoe, Nev.

Greg Gavrilets is a hands-on leader with more than 20 years of ski industry experience, known for his calm, collaborative approach and commitment to team development.

He got his start in 2004 at Ober Mountain (previously Ober Gatlinburg), Tenn., working as a patroller, instructor, and terrain park manager. As his career progressed, he held general manager roles at Paoli Peaks, Ind., Hidden Valley, Mo., and Attitash, N.H., before taking the helm as general manager of Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe in 2022. 

Since then, he’s overseen a multi-year expansion plan at the resort that includes the installation of a new lift and several new trails, the current construction of a new tubing park, and has implemented programs to address declining youth participation in winter sports. Greg was recognized as a SAM “10 Under 30” in 2015. He currently serves as vice chair of Ski California and sits on the board of the Nevada Outdoor Business Coalition.

“Greg isn’t just leading a resort—he’s shaping a movement,” said a nominator. “He is a collaborator for greater good, and an open book kind of leader. He is what I think of when I think of a SAMMY honoree.”

Melissa Roberts, General Manager/CFO, Berkshire East, Mass.

As the general manager and CFO of Berkshire East and CFO for Catamount Mountain Resort and Zoar Outdoor, Melissa Roberts handles complex financial oversight and models hands-on leadership across three Massachusetts operations.

A native of Shelburne Falls, Mass., Melissa grew up skiing at Berkshire East. Her ski industry career includes nine years at Smugglers’ Notch and then two years at Sugarbush, where she served as vice president of finance and HR. In 2017, she returned home to join Berkshire East.

Under her leadership, the resort has installed a high-speed detachable lift, expanded snowmaking to 100 percent coverage, streamlined rental operations, improved parking and F&B offerings, and built community partnerships that have attracted a broader, more diverse guest base. She meets weekly with department leaders across all three businesses and plays a key role in aligning strategic planning with day-to-day execution. Melissa also served as a mentor for the 2022-23 SAM Summit Series leadership development program.

“She possesses a rare and remarkable leadership quality—she empowers those around her to excel,” said a nominator. “While some individuals stand out for their own accomplishments, Melissa’s true superpower is enabling others to perform at their very best.”

Katherine Seleski, Project Manager, Castle Mountain Resort, Alberta

Katherine Seleski, a standout leader in small, independent ski area operations, began her career at age 17 at Alberta’s Castle Mountain Resort, where she worked her way through nearly every department. Today, she serves as project manager at Castle, overseeing the largest capital project in the resort’s history: the installation of a repurposed lift into Castle’s cat-skiing terrain, which will expand skiable acreage by 25 percent.

Prior to joining the team at Castle, Katherine spent six years transforming the nonprofit ski area Pass Powderkeg as its general manager, turning a once struggling operation into a thriving community hub, developing programming, improving infrastructure, and building strong partnerships to drive new growth.

Katherine was a SAM “10 Under 30” in 2020. She currently serves on the Canada West Ski Areas Association’s Small Areas Committee and is a member of the CWSAA board of directors. She is also on the advisory board for the Selkirk College Ski Resort Operations and Management (SROAM) program, from which she earned one of her degrees.

“Katherine has been a force for the Small Areas community,” said a nominator. “Her commitment to reaching out to and sharing her experiences with small areas across Western Canada is truly admirable.”