Jackson Hole Resort President Jerry Blann to retire
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort President Jerry Blann has announced he will retire from the post at the end of the 2017-18 ski season.
Blann has led the resort for 22 years. Before coming to Jackson, Blann spent 25 years in the ski and tourism industry in Colorado and California. He was President of Aspen Skiing Company for 18 years and President of Bear Mountain in California.
Wyoming Governor Matt Mead said, “I would be surprised if any ski resort President has done more for a mountain resort than Jerry over these last 22 years. His leadership at the Village, in the community and across the state is as awe-inspiring as the mountain itself. I say a big Wyoming thank you to a friend and great leader.”
Mead presented Blann with the state’s Big Wyo Award in 2016 as the state’s top achiever in tourism and business.
The Jackson business community had praise for Blann’s impact on the community.
“Each and every business in the Jackson area profited through the 22 years Jerry has been President of the Mountain Resort,” said Pete Lawton, Chairman and CEO, Bank of Jackson Hole. “The benefit to thousands and thousands of locals and their families is significant,” said Lawton. “Their businesses grew, they saw uneven winters become more balanced in our seasonality, and they saw visitors arrive to spend money and recreate. Financially our area benefited enormously under Jerry’s tenure.”
National Ski Areas Association President Michael Berry said very few places have had the incremental success that JHMR has had under Blann’s leadership, including mountain improvements, greater accessibility, and more market place visibility.
The resort identified some significant highlights of Blann’s career, including an increase in skier visits from the 200,000’s to nearly 600,000 and over $200 million in capital improvements, including the replacement of the Jackson Tram in 2006-2008.
Blann also spearheaded the Teton Village Master Plan, helped create the JH-AIR non profit to support community air service, and multiple positions in the community and state of Wyoming.
Blann said one of his motivations is to spend more time traveling, skiing and spending time with his wife and family. “There is an irony when you work in the tourism industry that you have little time to actually enjoy the benefits. I’ve worked hard with a passion for the ski industry and have extraordinary admiration for an incredible team at JHMR. Proud does not begin to describe it, but gratitude certainly does. I’m thankful to all those with whom I have the opportunity to work with over the years.”
Jay Kemmerer, JHMR’s owner and Chairman stated, “The Kemmerer Family has been honored to have Jerry’s leadership for nearly 23 years. His steady hand over many years has been greatly appreciated.”
The Kemmerer family expects to make an announcement on Blann’s successor in January.
