SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., March 23, 2026—The SAMMY Leadership Award Class of 2026 includes four terrific leaders whose spheres of influence and positive impact extend far beyond their office walls. This year’s SAMMY honorees are: Kari Brandt, risk manager, Sugar Bowl, Calif.; Jay Dougherty, president and general manager, Mount Southington, Conn.; Jordan Elliott, president, Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association; and Ben Smith, vice president of resort operations and general manager, Mountain High, Calif.

The SAMMYs are a peer-nominated award, and the honorees were lauded for their ability to connect with people, lead through adversity, help those in need, and innovate for a better future.  

A special thank you to SAMMY sponsors Leitner-Poma of America and Safehold Sports for their unwavering support in recognizing our industry’s best since the SAMMY’s inception in 1998.

Kari Brandt

Risk Manager, Sugar Bowl, Calif.

Kari has served as patrol director at Snow Valley, Calif., and Diamond Peak, Nev. During her six years at Diamond Peak, she built a patrol team that is now 50 percent women. In December 2025, she moved to Sugar Bowl, Calif., where she is currently the risk manager. 

Kari has founded two nonprofits aimed at supporting industry first responders: Women of Patrol, an organization with a mission to support current and future female patrollers; and the Sierra Nevada Resiliency Team, a network that provides post-traumatic incident support, training, community events, and resiliency grants to teams and individuals.

She serves on several boards and committees in California and nationally. Her nominators said she elevates everything she’s a part of, setting a new standard for excellence in addition to inspiring those around her to drive change for the greater good.

“What sets Kari apart is her ability to challenge the status quo with humility,” said a peer. “She navigates the complexities of leadership with grace and tact. She is humble and genuinely focused on the betterment of the industry rather than personal accolades.” 

Jay Dougherty

President and General Manager, Mount Southington, Conn.

As a native to Southington, Conn., Jay Dougherty now runs the ski area where he grew up and has grown Mount Southington from a winter-only operation to a thriving year-round business and pillar of the local community.

Jay was named as assistant mountain manager of Mount Southington shortly after graduating college in 2004 and was promoted to president and general manager in 2014. Since then, the ski area has added a variety of revenue-driving summer business and undergone an aggressive capital plan that includes construction of two new chairlifts and a new snowsports school building. Skier visits and revenue have more than doubled during Jay’s tenure as president and GM.

He lends his time to fill the pipeline of future ski area personnel by working with the local high school on curriculum that introduces kids to ski industry careers while also serving as president of the Connecticut Ski Areas Association and several other local boards and committees.

His nominators said Jay leads by example and works shoulder-to-shoulder with his staff, inspiring and mentoring them along the way. His collaborations with his team, the local community, and the broader industry exemplify his big-picture mindset.

 “He is a genuine, approachable leader who listens, mentors, and encourages new ideas,” said one peer. “Jay consistently thinks creatively about how to grow Mount Southington while also strengthening the industry as a whole. His ability to balance innovation, collaboration, and people-first leadership makes a lasting impact on his team, his community, and the future of skiing.”

Jordan Elliott

President, Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association

Jordan Elliott started his career in ski area lift operations and human resources before being hired in 2018 as president of the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association (PNSAA), representing ski areas across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. In that role, he advocates on behalf of the mountain recreation industry on issues ranging from workforce development to public policy and risk management.

His passion for connecting people with the outdoors translates to his advocacy efforts. Jordan spearheaded the recent charge to reform Oregon’s liability waiver laws, which led to passage of a new bill that will help ski areas and all other recreation operators in the state.

His nominators complimented his ability to convene various stakeholders and gain consensus for the greater good, adding that his vision and passion have made him a champion for positive change in the industry.

“Jordan is excellent at educating people and encouraging folks to come to the table,” said a peer. “He has been a fresh voice at PNSAA, willing to change things up and try new things. He has been a leader in liability reform and has a knack for harnessing media. He can work with lobbyists, operators, lawyers and insurance types and hold everyone's respect.”

Ben Smith

Vice President of Resort Operations and General Manager, Mountain High, Calif.

Ben Smith grew up skiing at Mountain High, Calif., and first started working there as a boot fitter at 16 years old, working his way up to become general manager in 2012.

Mountain High has expanded into a four-season resort under Ben’s watch, something his nominators said is due to his innovative nature, energy, and ability to motivate those around him. Ben balances strategic vision with careful attention to detail and shares his knowledge and experience broadly by being active in the community and the industry at large.

His ability to respond in times of crisis were put on full display when Mountain High was hit with two natural disasters in consecutive years, starting with a wildfire in 2024 and catastrophic flooding in 2025. In both instances, nominators said, Ben led with clarity and confidence and was on the frontline of recovery, supporting community needs and enabling the resort to safely reopen.

“His steady leadership and forward-thinking approach have directly contributed to the resort’s long-term success and growth, ensuring Mountain High remains aligned with the evolving interests of winter sports enthusiasts,” said a peer.

Read extended bios with more peer insights for each honoree here.