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 (MSAA), 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. Under his leadership, MnSAA’s annual risk management training expanded significantly, tripling attendance. Bo also spearheaded the 2022 Minnesota Ski Industry Economic Impact Survey, strengthening the industry’s visibility among legislators and business leaders. Now, at the helm of MSAA, he oversees education and training across 13 states.
“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.”
Previously, Bo spent 13 years with the Ski Maine Association, ultimately serving as the events and programs director. At Ski Maine, he played a pivotal role in reimagining and expanding the New England Summit, increasing attendance, cultivating stronger sponsorships, and enhancing its educational content to establish the annual event as a cornerstone for ski area professionals and vendors.
“He weaves together a vibrant network of area owners, operators, vendors, and suppliers with an effortless knack for connection,” said a nominator. “Bo’s wealth of industry insight flows freely‚ and he shares without reservation—always poised to assist, his calm professionalism is a steadying force.”
In addition to his association leadership, Bo is the principal consultant at Kestrel Management LLC, where he advises nonprofits on board development, strategic growth, and fundraising initiatives. He is also a longtime volunteer in the U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA), where he’s held a variety of operational and national leadership positions since 2001. In 2020, he was awarded the USCSA Keystone Award, and in 2018, he was named Conference Coordinator of the Year. He currently serves as president of the USCSA board of directors.
“Bo is one of the industry’s unsung heroes,” said a nominator. “He gets the job done without needing anyone to know it was him who put forward the effort. Bo deserves a SAMMY, more than anyone else.”
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. Since then, he’s worked at both independent and corporate-owned resorts, including general manager roles at Paoli Peaks, Ind., Hidden Valley, Mo., and Attitash, N.H. At Hidden Valley, he led the resort’s transition to year-round operations, including the development of a ZipTour experience.
Greg became general manager of Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe in 2022. Since then, he’s overseen a multi-year expansion plan that includes the installation of the Lakeview Express and several new trails in 2022, the construction of a new tubing park slated to open in 2025, and has implemented programs to address declining youth participation in winter sports.
He also fosters a strong company culture, as noted by his nominators.
“Greg leads his team with the calmness and wisdom of a seasoned professional, lifting the morale of the crew to a new level,” said a nominator. “The key lies in his compassion for others, his sincere commitment to bring out the best in each person, and his genuine communication style.”
“What makes Greg exceptional is his practice of servant leadership,” said another. “He’ll groom trails, support ski patrol, bus tables—whatever it takes to keep morale high and the resort running smoothly.”
Greg’s leadership was tested during the Davis Fire in 2024, when he worked directly with incident command and his team to protect resort infrastructure. “It was a moment that revealed the strength of his character and his natural ability to lead in crisis,” said a nominator.
Greg holds a B.A. in economics and an MBA from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He was 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. After graduating from UMass Amherst, she began her career at General Electric, graduating from its financial management program and working as an analyst. She went on to hold senior finance roles in the mountain resort and hospitality sectors, primarily in Vermont. These included nine years at Smugglers’ Notch, 11 years overseeing multiple resort town properties, and 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 leads by building positive connections, relationships, and community,” said a nominator. “As the GM and CFO at multiple properties, balancing budgets, operations, and employee wellbeing presents an intense challenge, yet she executes it with compassion, kindness, and grace. She leans into the difficult conversations with clarity and a solutions-oriented approach that includes, honors, and holds space for the people involved.”
Melissa uses her position to empower others. “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.” In 2022–23, she also served as a mentor in SAM’s Summit Series leadership development program, helping to guide rising professionals across the industry.
She leads with empathy and by example. “Melissa is a compassionate leader who takes time to connect with each staff member,” said a nominator. “She’ll operate lifts, clean bathrooms, shovel snow, and sell tickets—while still overseeing the financials. Her willingness to tackle any task continues to earn her the respect of her staff.”
“She reminds us all that we are human in all that we do,” another added. “Her actions match her words.”
Katherine Seleski, Project Manager, Castle Mountain Resort
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.
At Castle, Katherine has also taken the lead on the development of a new RV park and introduced organizational tools and processes to streamline complex, multi-phase projects. “Katherine’s keen intellect, hard work, emotional intelligence, and dedication to Castle and the ski industry has made her an invaluable member of the team,” said a colleague. “Her unique skillset has allowed her to quickly get up to speed on senior level projects, while building relationships and forging ahead on multiple fronts at the same time.”
Before rejoining Castle in 2024, Katherine served as general manager of Pass Powderkeg (PPK) for six years. There, she transformed the small, nonprofit hill, which was facing financial instability, into a community hub, developing programming, improving infrastructure, and building strong partnerships to drive new growth. Her Learn to Turn program introduced hundreds of new skiers to the sport, while her creative, low-cost solutions—like adding a yurt to ease indoor space constraints—enabled sustainable growth.
“Katherine’s ambition, enthusiasm, and determination were the primary factor in changing the trajectory of Pass Powderkeg,” said a nominator. “She was hands-on with all aspects of the facility, and her positive attitude made a big cultural change in making the hill more inclusive and open to newcomers.”
Katherine was named one of SAM’s “10 Under 30” in 2020. She serves on the Canada West Ski Areas Association’s Small Areas Committee and as a member of the CWSAA board of directors. “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.”
She earned her diploma from the Selkirk College Ski Resort Operations and Management (SROAM) program and a Bachelor of Management from the University of Lethbridge. She now serves as a member of the SROAM advisory panel, helping shape the next generation of resort professionals.
“She leads with heart, insight, and generosity,” said a nominator. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honour.”
For a look at our past SAMMY winners, VISIT OUR SAMMY HALL OF FAME.
Learn more about the SAMMY Awards here.
