As we gear up for what’s next at Purgatory, I want to pull back the curtain on some leadership shifts you’ll be seeing around the mountain.
For me personally, this is a significant change. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of being knee-deep in the day-to-day operations here. From the early morning starts and late-night calls to the chaos of a massive storm cycle, I’ve loved the “boots on the ground” reality of running this resort. My focus has always been on the immediate – tackling whatever challenge the mountain threw at us that day and making sure we could not just survive, but thrive and overcome.
But as Purgatory evolves, our strategy has to evolve with it.
To hit the big goals we’ve set for this resort, we have to start looking further down the trail. Customer expectations are shifting, and staying competitive as a premier regional destination requires a level of long-term analysis that day-to-day operations simply don’t allow for. Furthermore, we operate in one of the most regulated environments in the country. The time, red tape, and financial hurdles required to get even simple improvement projects off the ground are growing.
Because of this, I am shifting my focus. I’m stepping away from the daily operational tasks to focus on the “long game” – developing solid business strategy and navigating the complex compliance and permitting world that dictates our future growth.
To be clear: I’m not going anywhere. I’m just moving to where I can have the greatest impact on Purgatory’s success.
New Leadership, Same Mission
To make this transition seamless, we are dividing the daily operational load into two new roles. I am incredibly proud to put the day-to-day management of the mountain into the hands of two proven leaders:
- Josh Benson – Senior Director of Resort Operations: Many of you know Josh from his work transforming Guest Services over the last two years. He’s been the engine behind our retail and rental shop improvements and streamlining the guest experience across the board.
- Michael Rosenfeld – Senior Director of Village Operations: Michael is a familiar face to our homeowners and long-time guests. He will continue to bring his expertise to Community Services, Lodging, HOA Management, and now Real Estate sales and development.
I’m excited to see Josh and Michael take the reins, and I’ll be right here to support them as they continue to make Purgatory better every day
Looking Ahead
This change isn’t about moving away from who we are; it’s about ensuring we have the foundation to keep improving. We have a world-class team and a community that cares deeply about this mountain. This shift allows us to move into the future with intention rather than just reacting to the present.
I want to extend a sincere thank you to our staff, our passholders, and our homeowners. Purgatory is special because of the people who show up for it every day.
I’m fired up for this next chapter, and I’m confident in the path we’re on.
I’ll see you on the mountain!
Best regards,
Dave Rathbun
General Manager
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