The State of the Valley

The State of the Valley

Event date: This event has already passed.

9:00am - 10:00am

Webinar Format

Join Eagle County leaders as they discuss Eagle County’s “State of the Valley” with a look back at the summer and more importantly a look ahead at Q4 and 2021. We will discuss a variety of topics related to Eagle County’s continued economic recovery and ongoing community resilience in a facilitated conversation.

Speakers:

  • Will Cook, CEO, Vail Health
  • Beth Howard, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Vail Mountain
  • Philip Qualman, Superintendent, Eagle County Schools
  • Jeff Shroll, County Manager, Eagle County Government

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This will be an interactive panel discussion between local leaders from throughout the valley and the audience. The audience is encouraged to come prepared with questions.


Will Cook

Will Cook is the president and chief executive officer of Vail Health, a nonprofit community health care system with 12 locations across Eagle and Summit counties. With a 56-bed hospital, level III trauma center, urgent care clinics, cancer center, cardiovascular services, surgery, childbirth, physical therapy, internal medicine, endocrinology and more, Vail Health is the world’s most modern mountain health care system.

Previously, Mr. Cook served as the president and chief executive officer of University of Colorado Hospital (UCH), the only academic medical center in Colorado. Mr. Cook joined University of Colorado Hospital in September 2015 and was responsible for advancing patient care, innovation and research at UCH and was responsible for the Metro-Denver region. Prior to UCH, Mr. Cook worked at UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), an academic medical center with 21 hospitals, 3,400 employed physicians and more than 60,000 employees. He served as senior vice president of UPMC’s Health Services Division, chief operating officer of Physician Services, and president of UPMC Mercy. While at UPMC, Mr. Cook held several leadership roles, including vice president of operations at Magee Women’s Hospital of UPMC, as well as vice president of transplant and ambulatory care at UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside. The early part of Mr. Cook’s career was spent with Johns Hopkins Health System, where he held several positions, including director of operations at Johns Hopkins International Medical Center in Singapore.

Mr. Cook received a Master’s degree in Health Administration from Washington University School of Medicine and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Texas A&M University. He also completed a two-year fellowship in Health Care Administration at Johns Hopkins Health System. He is a skilled leader at building partnerships, including with physicians and staff at all levels. He also has a broad base of operational health care experience in outpatient and inpatient services.

Mr. Cook enjoys spending time outdoors and exploring the Colorado landscape with his wife, Sarah, and two daughters, Sadie and Sofia.

Beth Howard

Beth Howard began her career with Vail Resorts in 1985 as a college intern at Beaver Creek Resort, sparking a 35-year career with the company. Beth has been on the operational side of the ski industry her entire career, working her way through the ranks of Food & Beverage and eventually becoming the Vice President of Food & Beverage and Clubs where she had operational oversight of mountain dining across all of the Company’s resorts, including more than 100 restaurants and eight private clubs. In 2014, Beth took the helm as Northstar, California’s General Manager and was recognized with a SAMMY Industry Leadership Award in 2015. In 2016, she became the Chief Operating Officer at Beaver Creek Resort, and most recently in 2019, was promoted to her current role as the Chief Operating Officer of Vail Mountain. Beth is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Food & Nutrition and Business.

Philip Qualman

Philip Qualman is in his second year as Superintendent of Eagle County Schools. Before working in this capacity, he served as Assistant Superintendent for 3.5 years, and Principal of Battle Mountain High School, for six years. Before taking the helm as Principal, he was an as Assistant Principal and Social Studies teacher. Eight years of teaching, and three years as President of a local Teacher’s Association help him appreciate the challenges and rewards of classroom teachers. Mr. Qualman holds a BA in
History from the University of Missouri, and an MA in Administrative Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Colorado. When not working, Philip enjoys time with his family, playing guitar, and rafting.

Jeff Shroll

Jeff Shroll is the Eagle County Manager and has been with the County for the past 2 1/2 years.  Prior to the County, Jeff was with the Town of Gypsum for 24 1/2 years as the Town Manager.  As a resident in the valley since 1994, Jeff has worked with many private and public partners over that expanded period of time. In just the 2/12 years with the County he has been part of assembling a new leadership team to deal with the three declarations of emergencies in that same time period.

When not declaring emergencies, Jeff enjoys hunting, fly fishing Coaching track at Eagle Valley High School, Officiating High School Football and has two more 14teeners to finish in Colorado to complete all 58.  He is married to Elizabeth of 23 years and has 3 daughters he is very proud of!