
Summit Series: People vs. Projects
From PodSAM by SAM Magazine
February 23, 2026 · 56 min · Episode 93
About this episode
Ski area leaders discuss balancing people development and project delivery in the ski industry.
Ski area leaders juggle two demanding roles: developing people and delivering projects. This session with the Class of 2025-26 Summit Series cohort dives into how mentors strike that balance — keeping teams motivated while hitting deadlines, shaping culture while driving results, and navigating the constant pull between personalities and priorities. Mentors: John Melcher, CEO, Crystal Mountain, Mich. Jean Mikulas, President and GM, Red Lodge Mountain, Mont. Lori Phillips, GM, Ski Big Bear, Pa. Hugh Reynolds, Partner and CMO, SNOW Partners, N.J. Ryan Schramm, GM, Powderhorn Mountain Resort, Colo. Mentees: Chris Adams, VP of Mountain Experience, Boyne Mountain Resort, Mich. Beck Badger, Lead Marketing Coordinator, Gunstock Mountain Resort, N.H Drew Brewer, Director of Mountain Experience, Alyeska Resort, Alaska Sam Burns, Snowmaking Supervisor, Arizona Snowbowl, Ariz. Julie Bush, Marketing Specialist, Wisp Resort, Md. Teagan Knudson, Front Desk & Guest Services and Ski Patrol Manager, Snowriver Mountain Resort, Mich. Ryan Leclerc, Location Manager, Adult & Private Lesson Programs, Beaver Creek, Colo. Rebecca Repp, Director of Food & Beverage, Brundage Mountain Resort…
People in this episode
Guests: John Melcher, Jean Mikulas, Lori Phillips, Hugh Reynolds, Ryan Schramm, Chris Adams, Beck Badger, Drew Brewer, Sam Burns, Julie Bush, Teagan Knudson, Ryan Leclerc, Rebecca Repp, Shayna Silverman, Gabriel Sudermann, Lex Curtis
Topics covered
- people development
- project management
- mentorship
- team motivation
- ski industry
Keywords
- mentorship
- ski area leadership
- team dynamics
Sponsors
MountainGuard
Mentioned in this episode
Places: N.J., Colo., N.H, Alaska, Arizona, Ariz., Beaver Creek, Idaho, Arapahoe Basin, Que
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