OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - Denver, Colo. – June 17, 2008 – Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) today announced that Melanie Mills has assumed the role of president and CEO of the 45 year old not-for-profit trade association. The CSCUSA board of trustees named Ms. Mills to fill the position at the Company’s Annual Meeting and Forum last week and the change took effect on June 13th.

“Melanie’s passion for the ski industry, combined with her experience in the organization and her keen grasp of the big picture for Colorado tourism, made her the obvious and unanimous choice of the Ski Country board,” explained Tom Jankovsky, chairman of the Colorado Ski Country USA board of trustees.

As president and CEO of CSCUSA, Mills will provide leadership and strategic direction for the association. She will oversee the development and implementation of programs for the organization’s various departments including public policy, marketing, communications and operations. Additionally, Mills will work closely with CSCUSA members, the CSCUSA board of trustees, other industry associations and state tourism entities to further amplify CSCUSA’s voice for Colorado skiing.

“We are thrilled that Melanie will be the new president and CEO of Colorado Ski Country USA. Under her guidance CSCUSA has very successfully represented all of the ski areas, our partners in providing fabulous outdoor recreation opportunities in Colorado. She sees the forest with out losing sight of the trees,” said Rick Cables, regional forester for the United States Forest Service.

Colorado Ski Country USA represents 22 Colorado ski resorts. CSCUSA was formed 45 years ago as a way for its members to collectively promote Colorado as the premier ski destination. “This organization has done great things for Colorado skiing and I intend to continue those efforts in my new role within the company,” explained Mills. “We will continue to promote Colorado skiing through marketing efforts that include international, domestic and online initiatives, as well as through public relations and public policy. Additionally, CSCUSA will continue to execute programs that support and benefit it’s members, for example the Colorado GEMS program, Lean to Ski and Snowboard and the 5th and 6th Grade Passport, through which more than 145,000 5th and 6th graders have been introduced to the sport of skiing and snowboarding,” Mills continued.

Mills has been with CSCUSA for more than 14 years and was previously executive vice president of public policy. During her tenure as EVP of public policy, Mills has represented the ski industry on matters from immigration policy to ski safety legislation, to public lands issues to I-70.

Prior to joining CSCUSA, Mills was an attorney and practiced law with the firm Arnold & Porter in that firm’s Washington, D.C. and Denver offices.

As the first president to rise up through the Colorado Ski Country USA ranks, Mills is the 10th president of the 45-year-old association and is the first woman to hold the position. She is a graduate of Amherst College and Northwestern University School of Law.

Melanie and her husband Greg reside in Denver, are the parents of two young sons and enjoy skiing, hockey and spending time outdoors as a family.

Tags: coloardo ski country, melanie mills

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