Vail Resorts, Inc. appointed Steven S. Fitzgerald as senior vice president of human resources. Fitzgerald will report to CEO Robert Katz. He will be responsible for all facets of human resource leadership and management across the company’s operations. Fitzgerald will begin his new position in mid-July and will work out of the company’s new corporate headquarters in Broomfield, Colo.
Fitzgerald was formerly a human resource executive at two companies with strong Colorado ties, StorageTek and Sun Microsystems. At StorageTek, he held several senior positions within the human resource area, having played an instrumental role in building the human resource function that was recognized for its excellence by publications such as Fortune and HR Executive. Fitzgerald was deeply involved in the acquisition of StorageTek by Sun, and led substantial portions of the integration of the two companies. Since the close of that acquisition, he has led Sun’s Global Talent Management activity, an organization that included the recruiting, succession, leadership development and diversity functions of the $13-billion company.
“Im delighted to have someone of Steven’s caliber join our executive team and lead our dedicated and talented group of human resource professionals. The employees of Vail Resorts are our most important asset and I know Steve will be terrific in leading our efforts to manage, support and develop all of our people,” said Katz.
“This is a rare opportunity to join an iconic company, and Im flattered to have been selected for the role,” said Fitzgerald. “Already a magnet for talent, Vail Resorts is positioned to be even more competitive in that arena in the coming years. Our unrivaled properties, customer base, recent business performance and the dynamic team that Rob is putting together all combine to make it an ideal situation to step into. I cant wait to get started.”
Fitzgerald earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, as well as his master’s in labor and industrial relations. He spent the first 14 years of his career at Ford Motor Company in a variety of human resources and other management roles. He, his wife Diana, and his two sons are residents of Erie, Colo.
