Summit Series: People vs. Projects

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, Idaho Shayna Silverman, Communications Manager, Arapahoe Basin, Colo. Gabriel Sudermann, Manager of Mountain Operations, Camp Fortune, Que. Leadership Coach: Lex Curtis, Founder, Field of Play Consulting Thank you to our sponsor, MountainGuard , for their support of this program.

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Summit Series: People vs. Projects is an episode from PodSAM by SAM Magazine.

This episode is 55:53 long.

This episode was published on Feb 23, 2026.

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