2023 Board of Directors Candidates

Sue Banerjee is currently the Executive Director of PC Tots. Previously, Sue served on PC Tots's board of directors. Sue holds a juris doctorate from George Washington University Law School and has worked for large law firms on employment, civil rights and corporate matters. She was Vice President of Client Development at eBrevia, in which role she assisted in raising funds from venture capitalist and angel investors.

Our business community is a vital ingredient of what makes Park City special. They help sustain our livelihoods and our lifestyle. The services provided by our restaurants and recreation providers allow visitors and citizens to enjoy the benefits of being here. Our diverse businesses cater to many interests. We also have a richness in providers of essentials, such a healthcare, groceries, and personal care. I would like to see a continued growth in an array of essential and leisure providers, particularly ones that are locally owned. I would like the Chamber and Visitors Bureau to address issues that promote this growth, including weighing in on improvements to transportation, housing and child care that would benefit Park City businesses.

My priorities would be investing in programs to help current businesses achieve sustainability and attract new entities that would enhance our community. These priorities keep our community attractive to visitors and residents, reduce the costs associated with business closures, and ensure well-paying jobs. I would also like the Chamber to assist businesses to find cost-effective ways to be more environmentally sustainable as that also has a beneficial impact on the health of our community.

Craig Dennis is executive director of the Prospector Square Property Owners Assoc. In his five years at PSPOA he has supervised $2 million in improvements and introduced new marketing endeavors. He served three-years on the Chamber’s communications committee. A 30-year newspaper industry veteran, including 20 as publisher, he gets the Chamber mission, having served on five chamber boards in Utah, California and Washington. A 12-year ski instructor at Deer Valley, he gets the local tourism industry. Craig has a MBA from the University of Washington and a BA from Stanford.

It is extremely important that the Chamber promote a healthy community, both for businesses and residents alike. The move to a sustainable tourism model is a step in the right direction. As a community, we have many growth challenges . . . We must be smart about it and not be afraid to say something is not working. It is extremely important that we constantly review metrics, challenge assumptions and not be afraid to make course corrections. The Chamber can act as a facilitator but not hesitate, when appropriate, to challenge the status quo. I would hope that I could brings years of valuable experience to the Chamber board.

Craig believes he should offer advice and counsel to chamber leadership while representing the Prospector Square and the greater business community. It is extremely important that the board has the right balance between the business community and non-profits. Craig would represent an important segment of the business community. Chamber board members must actively engage with Park City and Summit County officials to assure that Chamber priorities are adequately represented while encouraging sustainable tourism. As a resident of Oakley, while working in Park City, Craig understands the challenges and needs of all of Summit County.

Our family established Park City roots in the early ‘80s when the town had 2 grocery stores and 224 was a 2-lane highway. Our nuclear family has nested here for 25-years now. While raising our daughters, I was heavily involved with PTOs and various nonprofit groups. In 2013, I started a photo booth rental business serving clients in Park City, SLC, and throughout UT. What began as a side hustle has turned into Big Shot Photo Group - a thriving company averaging over 100 events per year. I’ve also served as a Women’s Business Center Ambassador and coach for start ups across the country.

My vision for Park City is to actively support our small businesses within our dynamic and rapidly growing community. The C&VB already does a fantastic job promoting what our unique town has to offer. I would like to see more emphasis and resources channeled into marketing the lesser-known businesses that help make up the backbone of our local economy.

From my perspective, one of the top priorities for the Chamber Board of Directors is to consistently promote the hundreds of local small businesses. We face plenty of competition in Salt Lake City, and of course, online. I'd like to amplify the voices of our local business owners to ensure support from the Park City community and the multitude of annual visitors.

Morgan Everett is the Director of Utah Government Relations and Real Estate Development for the Sundance Institute. In this role, he has negotiated long-term leases in various US markets, designed and incorporated new technology and methodology to more accurately capture the economic impact of the Sundance Film Festival, and implemented strategic changes in the way the Sundance Institute story is presented to public partners. Morgan holds a Master of Public Administration and BA in history from the University of Utah. He lives with his wife, two daughters, and Borderdoodle in Holladay, Utah.

I envision supporting the continued growth of a diversified and robust business community that reflects and anticipates the values and needs of those who live, work, and play in Park City.

My priorities on the Board of Directors would be to listen to the needs of business owners and communicate openly with the business community, focus on sustainable growth, prioritize businesses that are inclusive and community centered, and represent of Park City values.

I've been involved in the event industry since 1997, when I started as a corporate meeting planner for a company in Vancouver, BC. I was then transferred to Utah and planned events on a global scale. I then moved to the hotel industry where I worked as a Catering Sales Manager for the Grand America Hotel for 3 years. I joined Summit Events in 2018 as a sales manager. When I'm selling this destination to clients, you can find me biking, hiking, skiing and camping all over Utah in our awesome pop up trailer with my husband, 3 kids and labradoodle, Murphy.

Park City is an amazing place to live and work. We have some unique challenges ahead of us that require thoughtful solutions. My 20+ years in the global meeting and events world make me uniquely qualified to address these in an appropriate way. My vision is greater inclusivity, continued transparency and healthy conversation promoting responsible growth.

I graduated college and promptly took a job for which I had neither excitement, nor passion. left after my third Monday and came to UT figure out what to do next. I took my college degree and bartended at Cisero’s and waited tables at Grappa. At the end of that winter, I had fallen in love with this town, and built my life here. My roommate at the time had started a one car taxi operation and, I saw opportunity and bought in. It is not the greatest origin story, but that decision and this company have allowed to me to stay and thrive in this town I still call home.

The business community here in Park City should be just that; a community. For the most part in this unique town of ours, members' fortunes as small businesses rise and fall as one. Understandably, everyone tends to get wrapped up in their own ventures, but I feel that in Park City there is much we can learn from each others experiences regardless of the different industries we operate in. I envision the Chamber and Visitors Bureau as an incredible resource that can bring together a vibrant group of members. It should be encouraging us to more actively help each other navigate the waters of owning and running businesses in a resort town.

As any Chamber of Commerce, our core mission should be to promote a positive environment for sustained (and sustainable) economic growth for our members and our community. With that said, if appointed I would prioritize outreach within our membership group. Early on in our business journey Snow Country Limo became a member of The Chamber. Not a lot of thought went into it...that was just what you did. We paid our dues, but never thought about how the other members could help and guide us through the first years of owning a business in this complicated resort town environment. Mixers and functions seemed like something that had no bearing on us. We avoided them to some extent, worried we would seem like frauds. Looking back, that was such a mistake on our part and probably set us back as an organization. I think with different methods, and slightly more personalized outreach efforts, we could encourage more activity and participation from a large swath of our members.

From participation with her local chambers and Leadership Academies, to playing co-ed softball with friends and colleagues or coaching basketball, she is constantly on the go. She is a proven executive who focuses on implementing long-range strategic plans while elevating the profile and overall impact of the organization. Her expertise ranges from advocacy and public relations to operational efficiencies and organizational structure. Jamie is a compassionate leader with a commitment to mentoring and encouraging growth in her colleagues.

In my vision, the business community in Park City is where businesses of all sizes and sectors coexist in a symbiotic relationship. It is a community that fosters innovation, encourages entrepreneurship, and promotes diversity and inclusion. The Chamber plays a crucial role in this vision by serving as a catalyst for economic growth and community development. It acts as a hub for businesses, providing resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy on their behalf. It should collaborate with local businesses to create a vibrant tourism interconnected system that attracts visitors and generates revenue for the community. It also fosters economic growth and encourages businesses to give back to the community through philanthropy, volunteerism, and sustainability initiatives.

These our priorities that need to be at the forefront of the Chambers strategic plans:

• Business Support and Resources
• Advocacy and Representation
• Economic Development
• Tourism and Visitor Engagement
• Community Engagement and Social Responsibility
• Networking and Collaboration
• Membership Benefits and Services

Ian Pope is the Owner and General Manager of Five5eeds, a breakfast and lunch restaurant located in the heart of Park City, Utah. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Ian moved to the United States in 2016, originally as Head of Operations for an Australian coffee company, before joining Five5eeds as General Manager in 2019. Ian's dedication to his craft, commitment to his community, and warm and welcoming personality have made him a beloved figure in the Park City food scene. He continues to inspire customers with his innovative menus and friendly, approachable service.

I’m an active member of the local Park City business community and value the relationships I’ve built with other local businesses. I feel that collaboration is key to the success of the local business community and the Chamber & Visitors Bureau can help facilitate ongoing collaboration that’s beneficial to business owners, residents and visitors alike. I’d love to be considered for the Board of Directors to continue the good work of my peers in supporting Park City’s potential and growth, specifically aligned to the Sustainable Tourism Plan – a “thriving community and destination” should be what all local businesses strive for, and if we put our minds together, we can push this plan forward.

I’d like to work towards continuing to brand Utah as a hot spot for tourism, locally owned businesses, and employment opportunities. Specific priorities I’d like to bring to the board that most local businesses are currently facing is access to qualified staff. Workforce demands are increasing and becoming more difficult, especially post-COVID. We need accessible and affordable housing and transportation options for staff, whether they live in Summit County, or travel from surrounding areas. I’d also like to find ways to champion quality establishments – small owner-operated businesses that are going above and beyond to support the local community and drive tourists to visit our town.

Meisha Ross is a long-time Park City-based marketing and communications consultant and co-owner of Twisted Fern. Meisha has 15 years of experience living and working in Park City, the last ten as a marketing and communications consultant and six as a co-owner at Twisted Fern/ Meisha's experience in Park City spans industry segments, including ski resorts, Main Street businesses, non-profit organizations, lodging, restaurants, professional services and event management. She’s served on numerous Chamber committees. She offers a deep knowledge & understanding of Park City's business environment.

As Park City evolves to accommodate the rapid change of the last several years, I envision the business community evolving in its depth to include more diversity in our business community. I look forward to the expertise of new community members as they support and shape our local business community.

As an organization, I see the Chamber serving as a channel for connection and communication, supporting the growth in our community through diversification in messaging, ensuring a sustainable Park City long into the future, while serving as a voice for our business community.

In many ways, the Chamber is already heading in this direction. Through increased professional development opportunities and industry specific programming. Additional opportunities include:

• Highlight new and emerging industries active in the Park City business community.
• Enhanced messaging to support the variety of experiences available.
• Continued development and training on how tourism and community can co-exist.
• Explore mentorship opportunities and professional development for front line employees developing the leaders of tomorrow.

Whitney is very excited about the opportunity to serve the Park City community as a part of the Board of Directors and represent the CVMA and its members.

Whitney has lived in the Wasatch Back since 2015 (after previously living here when she was younger) and has over 13 years of experience in travel and tourism with Vail Resorts (Park City Mountain and Northstar California), Park City Lodging, Grand America Hotels and Resorts, and is currently the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the CVMA. She will also play an integral role in the newly formed Community Giving Committee for the CVMA alongside the Board of Trustees. This committee will oversee and make meaningful and impactful contributions to area non-profits and organizations.

Whitney has served on the Park City Chamber Marketing Committee and has held past board positions with Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties and Girls on the Run. She has also enjoyed roles on the Advisory Committee for Project ABC (Art Beauty Culture), Vail Resorts|Epic Promise Giving Committee, and the Community Committee for Park City Hospital-Intermountain Health. In her free time, Whitney enjoys skiing, yoga, gardening, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her family.

Deirdra Walsh returned to Park City Mountain in 2022 to serve as vice president and chief operating officer after three years as vice president and general manager of Northstar California Resort. She originally joined Park City Mountain in 2007 and has nearly two decades of experience in the travel and hospitality industry. She was an influential member of the Park City Mountain senior leadership team between 2011 and 2019, and led several major capital improvement projects at the resort while overseeing more than a dozen mountain dining outlets. As vice president and chief operating officer, Deirdra oversees all year-round operations for Park City Mountain. As one of the most influential and visible female executives in the ski resort business, her passions include employee empowerment and customer service. She currently serves on the boards of the Park City Community Foundation, the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, and Ski Utah.

The Park City business community is essential to what makes Park City a thriving year-round community to live, visit, work, and play.  The business community should be a creative, resilient, thoughtful, and influential partner in our overall community, with the Chamber and Visitor Bureau working internally and externally to ensure our businesses' current and future health.

The Chamber and Visitors Bureau can ensure that businesses of all sizes have the opportunity to succeed and thrive in Park City through its influence on policy; use its platform to create meaningful member connections and relevant training; demonstrate sustainable tourism best practices and ensure it has a sound financial model and budget to support our visitor economy.

General Manager of KBM Resorts Park City, Judy has been specializing in short term vacation rentals for over 27 years locally and has been a member of the Park City Chamber of Commerce and Park City Board of REALTORS® since 2000. Along with assisting with the Realtor Education classes for vacation rentals, she serves on the Park City Area Lodging Association as a Board Member. KBM Resorts is a luxury rental management company with over 17 years of experience with operations in Hawaii, Utah, and soon, Colorado. Judy opened the KBM Resorts Park City office and operations in 2020 and continues to support the Park City market. When not working at the office, she and her Therapy dog, Charlie, are dedicated to working within the community.

Our business community is forever growing and changing and is a vital factor in continuously making Park City what it is today.  My vision is about keeping the integrity of who we are, embracing business diversity, and working together to bring the outside world to this wonderful place we all call “home.” The Chamber &  Visitors Bureau has, and can continue to inspire sustainable development; meeting the needs of the present and past without compromising the future. I hope to add value to the discussion of where we continue to develop our strengths and flourish our resort town.

I have  lived in the Park City community for over 30 years and have a vested interest in helping to advance the local economy for all the families and individuals residing nearby. I feel our priorities are to create a pathway for not only the present but for the future of all new local companies.

In keeping our community robust and vibrant, I would like to see the Board to include:

1. Develop apprentice/internship program to meet our business needs
2. Employee Housing
3. Child care
4. Continue to support our small local businesses