Sun Valley Resort Announces Staff Promotions & Recognitions

Sun Valley Resort has promoted Mike Davis as the new ski patrol director for the legendary ski area. Davis takes over the position from long-time director Mike Lloyd, who retired this past spring after 41 years on the ski patrol and 17 years as its director.

Davis enters the position with over 18 years of ski industry experience. He attended Orange Coast College and Boise State University with a focus on dentistry and business. After joining the Sun Valley Resort staff, he quickly became a part of the ski patrol team in the winter and managing special projects in the summer.

“Mike has been a vital member of the Sun Valley Ski Patrol team,” stated Peter Stearns, Sun Valley Resort’s mountain operations director. “His expertise and knowledge are a huge asset to the safety of our guests and the quality of experience on the mountain.”

In other exciting news, Lauren Bourgeau, Sun Valley Resort’s content and project manager, was nominated to the prestigious Ski Area Management’s (SAM) “10 Under Thirty” this summer, recognizing up and coming leaders in the ski industry. In her current position, she manages the daily marketing projects and logistics for the resort, no small feat with at the year-round resort that offers both summer and winter activities, lodging, dining, and shopping.

Other notable staff promotions:

• Kate Elgee, previously the lead graphic designer for the resort, was promoted to the art director position in June. She is overseeing the creative design and branding, in addition to managing the graphic design programs.
• Devon Wesley, formerly the Sun Valley Lodge food and beverage manager, became the director of restaurants for the Duchin Lounge, Gretchen’s, Poolside Café, The Roundhouse, Seattle Ridge Day Lodge, Lookout Day Lodge, and in-room dining.
• Alan Dickerson, formerly the Village Station’s manager, became the director of restaurants for the Sun Valley Club, Elkhorn Clubhouse, Village Station, Chocolate Foundry, Carol’s Dollar Mountain Lodge, Warm Springs Day Lodge, and River Run Day Lodge.
• Tim Sullivan assumed the position of manager of the Village Station after Dickerson became co-director of restaurants. Previously, he was the Sun Valley Inn’s beverage manager. He also was instrumental in the bar design at the Village Station.
• Mara Smith took over as the manager of the Sun Valley Club after being a member of the wait staff at the Konditorei. Smith won the bronze slot in the 2018 “Best of the Valley” reader’s choice awards in the Best Waitress category.
• Mayra Gomez became the director of housekeeping after Mike Crotty, who was with the company for 25 years, retired this past June. Gomez will oversee housekeeping, laundry, valet/uniforms, and the public area cleaning. She has been with Sun Valley Resort since she was 15 years old, and became the housekeeping supervisor shortly after graduating from high school.  She quickly moved into the role of the assistant housekeeping manager for 12 years, then laundry manager the past two years.

In addition to the staff updates, the resort has many projects happening right now. Preparations are underway for the replacement of the resort’s oldest chairlift, Cold Springs (#4), and the expansion of skiable terrain by 380 acres which will be open for the 2019-20 season. Advanced skiers can get a preview this winter during the Cold Springs Canyon Guided Tours, taking skiers on an informative tour of the new area.

Information about the Cold Springs Canyon Project: www.sunvalley.com/coldsprings

Other projects include the second phase of the Sun Valley Inn remodel, the rebuild of the Warm Springs Day Lodge, and construction of the new employee housing.