BROOMFIELD - Vail Resorts announced recently that Heidi Kercher-Pratt was promoted to vice president and chief marketing officer. Kercher-Pratt fills the role recently vacated by Derek Koenig. Kercher-Pratt joined Vail Resorts in 1996 as an assistant in the advertising department and, with this promotion, will now oversee all of the marketing and sales efforts for the Company's Mountain Division.
"Heidi's promotion is the result of a long and very successful career with our Company," said Rob Katz, chief executive officer and chairman of Vail Resorts. "With over a decade of experience at Vail Resorts, and a deep understanding of our industry, Heidi is uniquely positioned to assume this leadership role and to guide our Company's marketing and sales strategies during this critical time, against the backdrop of a dynamic and constantly changing media landscape and the current economic challenges."
As a Colorado native, Kercher-Pratt started skiing at Vail when she was 4 years old and since beginning her career with the company 13 years ago, has held various positions in the direct marketing department, was the director of marketing for Beaver Creek Mountain and the director of integrated marketing services. She was promoted to vice president of corporate marketing in 2008 and in addition to overseeing the Colorado and Summit pass programs since 2002 she was instrumental in the development of the recently launched Epic Season Pass program. Kercher-Pratt will report directly to Katz.
BROOMFIELD- Vail Resorts Hospitality announced recently that David Abraham has been chosen as the vice president of Breckenridge Hospitality and general manager of One Ski Hill Place, A RockResort.
Abraham will assume the overall leadership of Breckenridge Hospitality. In addition, he will also lead the One Ski Place project as the general manager overseeing all hotel operations including pre-opening activities. One Ski Hill Place is scheduled to open in the spring of 2010.
Since November of 2007, Abraham has served as the director of engineering for RockResorts and Vail Resorts Hospitality leading critical initiatives including capital planning, property development and energy conservation efforts.
Abraham began his hospitality career working for Hilton Hotels and later with Marriott International where he held engineering leadership positions overseeing openings and renovations at seven properties located in New England, New York, Florida, Barbados, Mexico and Bermuda. Before accepting the position of director of engineering for RockResorts and Vail Resorts Hospitality, he had been the VP/general manager of the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort in North Conway, N.H.
"David has been integral to the success of RockResorts and Vail Resorts Hospitality over the last year and half. In his new role in Breckenridge, we know David will bring a commitment to delivering the premier guest experience," said Rob Katz, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Vail Resorts. "We welcome David to his new role within our company and look forward to his leadership in Breckenridge as we continue to elevate our hospitality collection with additions like One Ski Hill Place."
Abraham will be relocating from the corporate headquarters in Broomfield to the Breckenridge area.
BRECKENRIDGE - Summit Mountain Rentals (SMR), a local vacation rental and property management company (and owner of the Hotel Frisco), announced recently that it has acquired Mountain West Lodging in Breckenridge. The deal adds 25 Breckenridge condominiums to SMR's portfolio of Summit County lodging choices, including 20 luxury units in The Corral at Breckenridge.
SMR owner Mark Waldman says that the merger will benefit Summit County visitors as well as owners of Mountain West Lodging vacation properties.
"We've picked up some fantastic units that our guest services team and maintenance staff will help visitors enjoy even more," said Waldman.
Tim Currin, manager of Mountain West Lodging and the original developer of The Corral at Breckenridge, says SMR's marketing expertise will help property owners enhance rental income.
"The current economic climate makes the property management business in Breckenridge very competitive," said Currin. "Summit Mountain Rentals is financially strong and has great understanding of the competitive marketplace. In particular, their Web-based marketing capabilities are outstanding."
SMR now offers nearly 125 lodging choices in Breckenridge and Frisco. In 2007, SMR also acquired White Cloud Lodging, a company with a line of luxury vacation home rentals in Breckenridge.
Summit Mountain Rentals' offices are located at 111 Ski Hill Road in Breckenridge; they also have an office at the Hotel Frisco, 308 Main Street, Frisco. For more information, call Summit Mountain Rentals at 1-800-383-7382 or visit www.summitrentals.com.
