Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows and Alterra Mountain Co. announced Wednesday that Ron Cohen has been named president and COO of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. Cohen, who has served as interim president and COO at the resort since April, will move into the permanent position effective immediately.
Cohen brings 16 years of outdoor industry experience to the resort, most recently as Alterra’s deputy general counsel. Prior to that, Cohen was at Mammoth Mountain from 2010 to 2017, ultimately serving as chief administrative officer and general counsel.
Cohen is a graduate of University of California Santa Barbara and of Northwestern University School of Law. He started his career practicing law in Los Angeles and then Mammoth Lakes before purchasing Tioga Pass Resort, a back country ski and summer resort, with a group of other investors, and running it from 2002-2010.
“I have learned a tremendous amount from the Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows team over the last four months, and together we have hit the ground running with a strategic business plan that focuses on delivering superior guest experiences, building a healthy culture, achieving outstanding financial results and working to create a healthier and stronger relationship with the community,” Cohen said. “The employees and guests of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows embody the passion and spirit of these legendary mountains. My top focus will be leading, aligning and empowering our team to realize their highest potential.”
Cohen will continue working from the offices at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, and will report directly to David Perry, president and COO of Alterra.
“It was the California mountains that brought Ron to the ski industry nearly two decades ago, and he is already embedded in the ski culture and history in the area,” said Perry. “Ron knows every level of ski resort operations because he has done it all at some point in his career. His straightforward leadership style has proven to be motivating for the team at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows during his interim tenure, and I feel a positive tone has been set heading into the 2018-19 season. I am confident that Ron and his team will shine during this exciting time in our industry.”
