Vail Resorts shuffling marketing positions
VAIL — Vail Resorts announced Friday changes to its marketing organization with Davy Ratchford, currently the director of marketing at Vail Mountain, assuming the same position for Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons Resort in Utah, and Jim Kellen, currently the director of marketing for Beaver Creek, assuming the same position at Vail Mountain. Both appointments are effective Dec. 1.
“I’m extremely pleased to offer new opportunities to Davy and Jim,” said Kirsten Lynch, Vail Resorts’ executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “They are both strong marketers, and this provides great continued career growth for each of them within Vail Resorts.”
Going Home
“I’m extremely pleased to offer new opportunities to Davy and Jim. They are both strong marketers, and this provides great continued career growth for each of them within Vail Resorts.”
Kirsten Lynch
Vail Resorts’ executive vice president and
chief marketing officerSupport Local Journalism
Ratchford grew up in Utah and spent 20 years living there. Prior to joining Vail Resorts in 2011, he led the marketing efforts for Utah’s Major League Soccer team, Real Salt Lake, and held various other marketing roles in Salt Lake City during his 14-year career. In 2011, Ratchford joined Vail Resorts as the marketing director for Northstar California Resort and in 2013, he became marketing director for Vail Mountain. In his new role at Park City and Canyons, he will be responsible for overseeing the marketing teams at the resorts this season and transitioning them into one team next season.
“I am so grateful for having the opportunity to work at Vail, the ski industry’s most iconic brand, and the work we’ve done with the town and community to build that brand together,” Ratchford said. “I grew up in Utah, started my career in Utah and started my family in Utah, and to return to friends and family, as well as the opportunity to help create a brilliant world-class brand at Park City, was something I couldn’t pass up.”
Reaching New Heights
Since joining Beaver Creek in March 2012, Kellen has taken the brand to new heights. In his time as marketing director, he has elevated the resort’s service-centered brand and brought a new level of strategic thinking and analytical approach to one of the industry’s premier luxury resort brands. Prior to joining Vail Resorts, Kellen had 20 years of experience in marketing and sales, including 12 years most recently with MolsonCoors Brewing Company.
“Jim’s oversight of the Beaver Creek brand over the last two seasons has been a tremendous asset to the resort and our company,” said Chris Jarnot, Vail’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. “His well-established community leadership and stakeholder relationships will serve him well as he moves over to Vail.”
‘Fantastic Opportunity’
“This is a fantastic opportunity to grow professionally while still serving a community my family and I love being a part of,” Kellen said. “While it’s hard to leave Beaver Creek, I know the brand is in good hands with the team in place and I still look forward to continue working on the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships to make it a success for the entire Vail Valley.”
Vail Resorts will begin an immediate search to fill the role of marketing director for Beaver Creek.
