In SAM’s Snow People, we highlight personnel moves in the mountain resort industry. From resort hires, promotions, and retirements to awards, obits, and supplier news, we celebrate the people that make this industry thrive.
PEOPLE
MIKE VAN EYCK, TENNEY MOUNTAIN, NH
Mike van Eyck has been named president and general manager of Tenney Mountain. He brings more than 20 years of experience in resort and business management, having previously worked in multiple roles with the Fairbank Group, which owns and/or operates Jiminy Peak, Mass.; Cranmore, N.H.; and Bromley, Vt.
Jake Marquardt and Connor GilesCONNOR GILES AND JAKE MARQUARDT, SNOWBIRD, UT
Snowbird has hired Connor Giles as communications manager and Jake Marquardt as communications specialist. Giles brings more than a decade of marketing experience, most recently serving as content manager for Sportsman’s Warehouse. Marquardt holds an MBA from Boise State University.
SARAH SHERMAN, SIERRA-AT-TAHOE, CA
Sarah Sherman has joined Sierra-at-Tahoe as marketing and sales director. Sherman began her ski industry career at Mammoth Mountain in 2015 before moving into roles at Freeskier Magazine, Windells Ski Camp, Ore., Snowbird, Utah, and most recently, Woodward Park City, where she led marketing strategy.
JULIAN DEPASQUALE, PURGATORY RESORT, CO
Julian DePasquale has been promoted to director of HR and risk at Purgatory Resort. He was previously the resort’s risk manager and, before that, served as HR and risk manager at Ski Cooper, Colo.
CHRISTINE BULGINI, ERIC RUSCH, SOPHIE PARVEZ, NATE STOODLEY, REBECCA REED, JORDAN SPEAR, AND KAYLA SARAJIAN, KILLINGTON RESORT, VT
Killington Resort has made several promotions. Christine Bulgini is now administrative manager, Eric Rusch is food and beverage director of the Grand Hotel and Northside Dining, Sophie Parvez is hospitality business manager, Nate Stoodley is K-1 base lodge manager, Rebecca Reed is employee experience manager, Jordan Spear is vice president of resort services and sales, and Kayla Sarajian is mountain experiences manager.
Christine Bulgini, Eric Rusch, Sophie Parvez, Nate Stoodley, Rebecca Reed,Jordan Spear, and Kayla Sarajian.
Ned Wonson and Doug Pierini
NED WONSON AND DOUG PIERINI, JACKSON HOLE MOUNTAIN RESORT, WY
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) has promoted Ned Wonson to vice president of marketing. Wonson has been with JHMR for more than a decade, holding positions in e-commerce and digital marketing before becoming marketing director for the past seven years.
JHMR CEO Mary Kate Buckley will retire after seven years leading the resort. Chief operating officer Doug Pierini will succeed Buckley. Full report on SAM’s Headline News.
Diane Neville and Will Forbes DIANE NEVILLE AND WILL FORBES, ALTERRA MOUNTAIN COMPANY
Diane Neville has been appointed chief people officer of Alterra Mountain Company. Will Forbes will serve as president and chief operating officer of the company’s Experiences Division. Full report on SAM’s Headline News.
MATT NEUBAUER, MISSION RIDGE SKI & BOARD RESORT, WA
Matt Neubauer has been named general manager of Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort. Neubauer has a background in resort food and beverage operations and has worked in leadership roles at Keystone, Breckenridge, and most recently, Stevens Pass. Full report on SAM’s Headline News.
SUPPLIERS
BART DONNELLY, LEITNER–POMA CANADA
Leitner–Poma Canada has hired Bart Donnelly to its Western Canada team, where he will assist with new lift sales and customer outreach. Donnelly brings more than 30 years of experience in sales and business development at companies including Travel Alberta, Banff and Lake Louise Tourism, SkiBig3, and British Columbia’s Whistler Blackcomb.
LEE COWIE, ACCESSO
Lee Cowie has joined accesso as chief operations officer. Cowie has more than 15 years of experience in digital transformation, operational strategy, and technology-driven initiatives. In his most recent role, he was the group head of technology for all of Nando’s restaurants.
KISSLING AG
Kissling AG, a ropeway gear-unit company, will celebrate its 100th anniversary on June 26, 2025.
AWARDS
I AM A SNOWMAKER
Bolton Valley, Vt., won the 2025 I AM a Snowmaker contest, sponsored by HKD Snowmakers. The Bolton snowmaking team will be hosted for a two-day education event at HKD headquarters in Quebec, Canada.
INTERNATIONAL SKIING HISTORY ASSOCIATION (ISHA) AWARDS
Jeff Byrne of Lake Placid, N.Y., has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from ISHA in recognition of his more than 20-year career at the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), winter sports program management for Special Olympics International, and service on several nonprofit boards and committees.
ISHA also presented the Women in Snowsports Industry Award to Ingrid P. Wicken, an author of award-winning snowsports history books, who has dedicated her life to the development and expansion of the California Ski Library.
OBITUARIES
JOHN LOWELL
John Lowell died on March 9, 2025. Lowell spent multiple decades in the ski industry at resorts including Waterville Valley, N.H., and Mount Snow, Vt. Before retiring in 2020, he served for nearly a decade as the general manager of Attitash and Wildcat, N.H.
CHARLES BIRD “CB” VAUGHAN
