Ted Blazer Joins Doppelmayr USA As Vice President For Urban Development

Ted Blazer of Lake Placid, NY has been named to the position of Vice President for Urban Development for Doppelmayr USA.    

Mark Bee, President of Doppelmayr USA said, “We have seen increased interest in the United States and around the world for using aerial ropeways to solve transportation problems in urban settings.  Aerial ropeways are an attractive alternative to other modes of transportation in the urban environment.  They offer lower cost, quicker build times, and have become an iconic attraction in every city that had the foresight to look beyond the conventional solutions.  We needed someone with expertise in both ropeways and the public planning/procurement process to help move our technology into the mainstream as a viable option for solving public transportation problems.” 

Blazer will be charged with promoting the use of aerial ropeways to solve urban transportation problems, including an educational component for urban leaders, planners, consultants, universities, and associations focused on urban transportation. He will also lead the company’s strategic efforts to help move Doppelmayr USA forward to face the urban transportation challenges of the future.   

Bee added, “Ted brings a wealth of experience to us not only in ropeway systems, having been a ski area operator, but also in government relations from his 20-year tenure as President and CEO of the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA). We see this as a great fit for us as we ramp up our focus on the urban market.” 

ORDA is the organization responsible for the maintenance, operation and promotion of the 1980 Winter Olympic venues in Lake Placid including ski areas of Whiteface Mt., Gore Mt., and Belleayre Mt., all with gondola systems in place.   

Blazer commented: “I look forward to working with the innovative, committed and diligent staff of Doppelmayr to penetrate the urban transportation market and establish aerial ropeway systems as an attractive alternative to solve urban transportation needs. For many years I was a Doppelmayr customer, and I’m proud to have the opportunity to work for a company I have admired and respected for the quality of their products, and their ethical approach to business.” 

With more than 14,900 installations completed in 95 countries around the globe, Doppelmayr is the clear market leader in the specialized field of passenger ropeways systems.  While its traditional market has been in the alpine regions, increased demand for its products in non-alpine and urban markets has become a key growth area for the company, by providing attractive alternatives to more conventional modes of transportation.