Katie Biggers

KBI Events

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Katie transitioned from spending winters in Vail to full-time living in 2014 and quickly established solid roots in the Valley and built an impressive network in the event and non-profit community. Katie received her BS in Event Management from the University of Central Florida. In her free time, she is an avid hiker, skier/snowboarder and energetic lacrosse coach for Vail Valley Lacrosse Club.

Katie is now concentrating on her own company after a short time with the Vail Valley Charitable Fund, and before that from the Vail Mountain School, where she served as the Event Coordinator and Assistant Development Director until 2016.

She hopes to use her past experience to help consult with multiple non-profits in the valley, and focus on expanding her event and wedding planning business, KBI Events.

George Bigley

Vail Resorts

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George serves as the Senior Director of Signature Clubs for Vail Resorts.  In addition to managing this collection of eight luxury private clubs, George is a member of the Senior Leadership Team for both Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek Resort.  He is a board member for the Arrowhead at Vail Association and the Bachelor Gulch Village Association.

George’s experience ranges from managing the world-renowned Charlie Trotter’s restaurant in Chicago and Las Vegas, to The 10^th on Vail Mountain and Beano’s Cabin in Beaver Creek.  Prior to moving to the Vail in 2011, George held the role executive director of food and beverage at Telluride Ski & Golf Resort.

George lives in Eagle with his wife Cathy and daughter Bella, enjoying all the great things that Colorado and the Vail Valley have to offer.

Ashley Dentler

Vail Health

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Ashley was born and raised in Narragansett, Rhode Island and spent the majority of her life enjoying sports and activities as an ocean dweller and mountain lover! Ashley received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northeastern University in Boston, MA.

Shortly after graduating, Ashley moved to Vail, Colorado and pursued her career as a Physical Therapist with Howard Head Sports Medicine for 6 years. She is now the Director of the Joint Replacement Service Line role as of October 2017. This role is responsible for building sustainable systems that help create a seamless patient experience, and highlights her passion for collaboration and creating innovative ways of delivering high quality healthcare.

When not working, Ashley enjoys all the wonderful things this valley has to offer; mountain biking, hiking, camping, backcountry skiing, and doing these fun activities with my family and friends!

Rob Foster

Wall Street Insurance

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Rob is an Account Manager with Wall Street Insurance, an independent insurance agency serving the community for over 30 years. A strong believer in relationships, Rob enjoys getting to know his clients and investing the time to determine how best to protect the assets that they’ve worked so hard for.  With a solid background in insurance claims, he brings a unique prospective to the agency side of the industry and is always happy to share his insights.

Rob knew he was “home” when he drove his packed Jeep over Vail Pass in 2003.  He met and married the love of his life here in the Valley. His greatest joy comes from raising and doting on his beautiful daughter and mischievous son. Rob has been involved with Search and Rescue since 2010 and currently serves as the Director of Logistics for the Vail Mountain Rescue Group.  When not tramping around the Eagle County backcountry looking for lost souls in the dark, he enjoys telemark skiing, hiking, climbing, and sharing the beauty of our Valley with his family.  Life here is so good!

Ryan Kipp

Blue Sky Partners

Ryan is an entrepreneur, investor, team-builder, and business advisor. He is Managing Partner at Blue Sky Partners, a boutique one-man advisory firm offering sales and strategy expertise in the financial services, alternative investments, and technology. He currently sits on the investment committee for Bascom Ventures, a venture capital firm. Ryan is actively seeking investment and/or business advisor opportunities in the Vail Valley.

Prior to founding Blue Sky Partners in 2013, Ryan spent ten years at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in the Global Corporate and Investment Banking division in a variety of roles in Chicago, Hong Kong, Denver, and New York. Ryan received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, Investments, and Banking from the University of Wisconsin.

Ryan is an ardent believer in community involvement and volunteerism. He is a donor and volunteer for the Vail Valley Foundation and Help For Children. He is passionate about back-country skiing, behavioral psychology, the Wisconsin Badgers, and IPAs. Ryan, his wife Marianne, and their son Wes reside in Eagle-Vail.

Rebecca Smith

Zehren & Associates

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Rebecca recently relocated to the Vail Valley in October from Newport, Rhode Island opting to trade ocean views for mountain views. Because she’s a new member of the Vail Valley community, she’s thrilled to be a member of the NEXT program and hopes to gain a better understanding of the valley’s past as well as where its future is headed. She hopes that by participating in NEXT, she will have the opportunity to become more involved in the local community and will be able to positively contribute to the future of the Vail Valley.

Rebecca joined Zehren and Associates as an Architectural Intern and is working on her path to licensure in the state of Colorado. She attended Northeastern University in Boston, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture with a Minor in Art History and a Master of Architecture degree. The majority of Rebecca’s post-graduate professional experience has been in high end custom residential design with a focus on waterfront properties. Since relocating and becoming a member of the Zehren and Associates team, she has broadened her range of experience to include residential, commercial, and resort architecture. Her hobbies outside of the office include traveling, running, cycling, swimming, hiking, and snowboarding.

Marty Tarantino

SOS Outreach

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Marty moved to the Vail Valley in 2013 to fulfill an AmeriCorps term with SOS Outreach, a youth development nonprofit with headquarters in Edwards, CO. SOS utilizes outdoor recreation and positive adult mentoring to create better futures for underserved youth. He has occupied development and events positions with the organization and is currently SOS’ Operations Coordinator.

With a strong passion for snowboarding, rock climbing, and most outdoor adventure, Marty couldn’t be more content with calling Eagle County home and feels fortunate to have his career meld so well with his interests. Boardsports and outdoor recreation have played a large role in crafting his identity and he is honored to be able to facilitate these experiences for youth that would not have the opportunity otherwise. He is committed to creating more responsible stewards of our public and recreational spaces and to the evolution of the outdoor industry and those who participate in its activities.

Marty graduated from Seattle University with a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and Religious Studies in 2012. He spends his free-time in the mountains with his lovely wife and crazy cattle dog.

Jacob Tilmann

The Club at Cordillera

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I have been in the golf and landscape business for 20 years now. Originally taking pre-architecture classes at Central Michigan University, I quickly realized after working a summer at my local course that turf grass was the career path I wanted to take and have been chasing that dream ever since.

After graduating from Central Michigan University and completing my internship at the Vail Golf Club, I spent time in California working and studying turf grass at UC riverside.

I then returned to Michigan with an opportunity to manage the first golf course I ever worked on and where my dream of golf maintenance began. All these steps have led me to returning to the Vail Valley in March 2017 to pursue an opportunity that I could not pass up at The Club at Cordillera.

I truly enjoy the outdoors and getting lost in everything it has to offer. I love to ice fish, hike, snowmobile and spend time on the golf course. When I’m not outdoors you can find me in the gym, woodworking or grilling up a feast.

Ryan Thousand

Vail Health

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Ryan Thousand is the Director of Information Technology at Vail Health.  He has focused the past 15+ years of his career to leading the transformation of healthcare via people, process and technology.

Ryan was born and raised on the confluence of the Des Moines and Mississippi Rivers in a small town in Missouri, or “Missery” as he called it!  He grew up fly-fishing, boating and skiing but only got the chance to see Colorado once per year; that was enough to know he was in love and knew where he wanted to grow old and raise his family!

Being raised in healthcare, Ryan felt he needed to take his education and career in that direction. After taking a 45 day back country expedition, Ryan decided that his passion of healthcare was not something he was willing to give up nor was his passion of technology and pursued a career in Healthcare Information Technology.

Ryan now resides in Gypsum with his wife and two children. He loves spending time with his family, and is an avid fly-fisherman, hiker, camper, snowboarder and well really anything that has to do with the outdoors and Colorado!

Brian Weiskittel

The Sebastian Vail

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I was born and raised on the West side of Cincinnati, Oh and graduated from The University of Cincinnati studying Marketing and Management. I moved to Washington DC after college with my wife Rebecca to start my career in Hospitality working for Marriott.

I moved to Colorado 10 years ago and am currently the Reservations manager for The Sebastian Vail and Timbers Hokuala – Kaua’i. With a group sales and revenue management background it’s my job to optimize revenue for my owners.

I currently live in Eagle with my wife and daughter. In my free time I can be found spending time with family, cooking or mountain biking with friends.

Susan Wilder

Ruggs Benedict

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Joining the Ruggs team in late 2013 Susan Wilder is a Ruggs Benefit linchpin. Cleveland native and mother of three, Susan was drawn to Ruggs Benefit because of the challenging work in a successful family owned and operated business while tapping into a creative design side.  Susan’s extreme energy, enthusiasm, and drive enable her to deliver high-end results and valued services to her clients.

Susan is a graduate from Bowling Green State University and began her career in Atlanta GA in medical computer sales, moving into event planning, administrative management for small businesses and finally finding her home and a passion for her work at Ruggs Benedict.  She feels inspired and peaceful in the Rocky Mountains surrounded by family and friends.  Susan has been a full time Eagle County resident since 1998 and outside work she loves to cook, ski, hike, ride horses, bicycles, read, work out, relax at the beach and give back to the nonprofit sector.