OLYMPIC VALLEY, CA–(Marketwire – July 14, 2010) –  Nancy Cushing, retiring CEO of Squaw Valley Ski Corporation, is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew (Andy) D. Wirth to the position of Chief Executive Officer at Squaw Valley USA. Wirth will be responsible for all aspects of resort operations at Squaw Valley USA, and he will report directly to the Board of Directors at Squaw Valley Ski Corporation. Wirth will succeed Nancy Cushing, who has advised Squaw Valley Ski Corporation since 1985 and served as its President since 1994. Wirth’s appointment as CEO will be effective on August 2, 2010.

Wirth brings more than 24 years of experience in the mountain resort and hospitality management industry and a proven ability to enhance customer experiences, to increase revenue, and to drive profitability. 

Wirth joins Squaw Valley USA from Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation in Colorado, where he most recently held the position as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales and was a member of the Steamboat executive team. Wirth’s career at Steamboat began in 1986, and he has advanced through successive leadership roles in marketing and sales management throughout his tenure with the resort operating company.

In 2007, Wirth joined Intrawest ULC as a result of the acquisition of Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation and was soon promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer with responsibility for all of the marketing and sales functions for Intrawest’s portfolio of mountain resorts, including Whistler Blackcomb, Mont Tremblant, Stratton Mountain and Winter Park Resort. In addition, he held a concurrent role in which he oversaw Intrawest’s enterprise-wide strategic alliances along with the development and management of the marketing and sales efforts associated with Intrawest’s Hospitality Management division with operations in North America, Europe, Mexico and Hawaii. 

“Squaw Valley USA has a reputation as a premier resort destination with a proud Olympic heritage and strong ties to the local community,” said Nancy Cushing, Squaw Valley Ski Corporation’s Board Chairperson. “Now is the time for our next phase of growth, and we are delighted to have an executive of Andy’s caliber and breadth of experience to lead our resort into the future. His years of dedicated service at Steamboat have helped to create one of the most well-known and respected resort brands in the travel industry. His experience and wealth of industry knowledge will be invaluable as we continue to create a legendary resort experience at Squaw Valley USA for our customers, homeowners, commercial tenants and team members.”

“Squaw Valley USA is a world class mountain with an incredible and unique place in the history of skiing and riding. I am looking forward to this opportunity as it’s a chance to work with a legendary mountain resort and a terrific management team. I will seek to further strengthen Squaw’s position as the premier ski destination for families & serious skiers alike, as well as creating the most fun, exciting consumer experience anywhere,” said Andy Wirth, chief executive officer at Squaw Valley USA. 

As a member of Intrawest’s as well as Steamboat’s executive team, Wirth has been a leader in the development of strategic and capital planning and has been deeply engaged in operations including food and beverage, retail, rental and ski school.

Wirth earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University and attended Edinburgh University in Scotland. He is an enthusiastic and accomplished business and community leader earning the prestigious 2002 Steamboat Springs Business Leader of the Year Award and the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Global Award for the Top Twenty Five Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing. He’s served the community of Steamboat Springs as a Rotarian, President of the new Mountain Village Partnership Board of Directors, volunteer fireman, a member of the Routt County Economic Development Committee and proudly served as President of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Board of Directors from 2002 to 2010.

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