Resort services manager, telluride ski resort, colo. Age: 29 Push to The Latest: No Education: B.S. in Environmental and Natural Resource Management, Clemson University First job in the industry: lift operator Super power: Teleportation for sure. Six-word bio: "Lots of energy, happy to share."

THE NOMINATION

Committed, passionate, and innovative. Since entering the ski industry out of college, Tyler has consistently proven the ability to apply these traits each day on the mountain. With 35 paid staff and 20 volunteers, Tyler builds personal relationships with each staff member and has an innate ability to motivate on an individual level. He’s not content with operational inefficiencies and solves problems though innovative solutions. Tyler worked with ski school and our security department this season to implement new ticket scanning procedures that resulted in higher scan percentages and better fraud protection. Above all, Tyler is a ski industry professional who puts the needs of guests and employees ahead of his own.

—John Kelly, Director of Resort Services, Telluride Ski Resort

The Interview

What did you learn in starting out as a liftie that continues to serve you today?

As a front-line team member who had never been a part of the ski culture, I was blown away by it. The biggest thing that struck me during that first season was the passion everyone has for this sport and lifestyle. From first-time skiers to lifelong ski bums, they are all just out there to have a good time. I try to ask myself on a daily basis if the decisions I’m making are helping to promote that passion and increase the stoke level for everyone involved.

How would you describe your leadership style?

It’s evolving, but always supportive and energetic. I’m a firm believer that our guests have the best interactions with team members who are genuinely happy with their situation and proud to be representing our resort. It’s my job as a manager to help create that environment. If our team members aren’t enjoying their winter, it’s hard to ask them to help someone else enjoy theirs. I want our team members to know they’re valued by the way I encourage, listen to, and ultimately, how I enjoy my job alongside them.

Tell us about the ticket scanning system you developed.

Ticket checking is a hard job. No one wants to be considered “the bad guy,” but occasionally people make ticket checkers feel like they are just that. One of the first things I identified was our team members were using nonspecific logins for the scan guns. This made it harder to hold individuals accountable, and easier to choose not to get involved in an uncomfortable situation. I put in place a different system for logging in using employee passes. This new login method creates more accountability for the team member, but in turn provides them access to a few pieces of customer information, making it easier for them to identify fraudulent pass use. In addition we create contests and give awards based on this data.

What do you love about your work?

Smiling people! Whether it be a guest cheesing from ear to ear as they experience their first powder day, or a veteran resort employee that still can’t believe they get paid for what they do, the smiles keep me going. I’d be lying if I said I don’t enjoy getting to take ski breaks at lunch with my beautiful fiancée, finding untouched powder lines, and holding “my job is cooler than yours” bragging rights over all my friends back East. But hey, my smile counts, too.