Mad River Glen has hired Matt Lillard as its new general manager. Lillard is moving back to Vermont from Eaglecrest Ski Area in Juneau, Alaska, where he has been general manager for the past five years. Prior to his stint at Eaglecrest, he was the assistant general manager at Magic Mountain in southern Vermont and has over 15 years of ski industry experience.
Lillard is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in applied economics and business management. He began his ski industry career in marketing at Okemo Mountain Resort before moving over to Magic Mountain where he developed his passion for smaller, community areas. It is also where he gained an in-depth working knowledge of all aspects of ski area operations. His five years at Eaglecrest feature both record-setting high and low seasons and Lillard is looking forward to bringing his experience to Mad River Glen.
Lillard’s experience at the community-owned Eaglecrest Ski Area will be invaluable as he takes the helm at Mad River Glen, America’s only cooperatively owned mountain, according to Mad River Glen’s co-op board.
Meg Hourihan, Mad River’s co-op board president, noted, “Matt’s commitment to running ski areas, not resorts, demonstrates his values and willingness to preserve and protect the Mad River Glen experience. He impressed the search committee with his managerial and financial expertise, his thoughtful and open-minded management approach, his willingness to listen and his understanding of the unique culture of Mad River Glen.”
“I’m excited to return to Vermont to lead the Mad River Glen team and work with the Mad River community. Mad River Glen is a unique and special ski area and I am honored to have been chosen to take over the reins as general manager,” said Lillard.
He will be relocating to the Mad River Valley with his wife and two young children.
