thumb Summit Series 2024SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Oct. 14, 2025—The Summit Series returns this fall with a new class of mentors, mentees, and a curriculum focused on leadership development. Sponsored by MountainGuard, the program connects rising leaders in the ski industry with mentors and peers to explore the challenges of leadership, the realities of resort operations, and the personal work it takes to grow as a leader.

This year’s mentors represent a cross-section of North American resort leadership—from major destination mountains to independent areas—bringing decades of experience to the table. Together, they’ll share lessons learned from guiding teams, driving growth, and building culture across every corner of the industry.

  • Eric Clark, President & CEO, Mammoth Resorts, Calif.
  • John Melcher, CEO, Crystal Mountain, Mich.
  • Jean Mikulas, GM, Red Lodge Mountain, Mont.
  • Greg Pack, President & GM, Mt. Hood Meadows, Ore.
  • Ladora Phillips, GM, Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain, Pa.
  • Hugh Reynolds, Partner & CMO, SNOW Partners, N.J.
  • Ryan Schramm, GM, Powderhorn Mountain Resort, Colo.
  • Mike Solimano, President & GM, Killington Resort and Pico Mountain, Vt.
  • Belinda Trembath, VP & COO, Whistler Blackcomb, B.C.
  • Mike Unruh, SVP of Mountain Operations, Boyne Resorts

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The mentee class features emerging leaders from across North America, representing departments spanning mountain operations, guest services, communications, marketing, and food and beverage. Each brings a unique perspective and a shared commitment to developing as a next-generation leader in the mountain resort industry:

  • 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, Idaho
  • Shayna Silverman, Communications Manager, Arapahoe Basin, Colo.
  • Gabriel Sudermann, Manager of Mountain Operations, Camp Fortune, Que.

 

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The 2025–26 program will explore leadership at every level—from managing oneself to leading people and projects to making organizational decisions. Through candid conversations, real-world scenarios, and shared experiences, participants will gain practical tools and fresh perspectives to strengthen their leadership approach. The course will feature expert insights from Erik Thompson, founder of Thompson Leadership Development, and Lex Curtis, founder of Field of Play Consulting, in addition to the learned experience shared by mentors throughout the season.

In addition to the group sessions, mentees will participate in three one-on-one mentor calls through the winter, providing personalized guidance and connection—a defining and much-valued part of the Summit Series experience.

The Summit Series kicks off this fall and runs through winter 2026. Highlights from the sessions will be shared in SAM magazine and on the PodSAM podcast. To see highlights from past programs, visit SAM’s Leadership Development Mountain Department.