By Karen D. Lorentz
When someone has worked their entire adult life in as many different ski-industry positions as John Neal, it’s not too surprising to hear him say, “The people and the passion for the sport and lifestyle have given me the opportunity to have a career I enjoy.”
Neal grew up in Ludlow, graduating from Black River High School in 1972 and from Saint Michael’s College (in Colchester) in 1977 with a bachelor of arts in psychology and business administration.
He had learned to ski at age 6, having been taught by his dad, Dr. Ronald Neal, who had served as one of the founders on Okemo’s original board of directors. Neal got into Freestyle but turned to racing after meeting his wife Wendy, who hails from the Woodworth racing family. That led to racing on the B Pro Tour during and after college for two seasons. Summers he worked in construction doing home building for Ludlow-based Sunshine Design.
Neal worked for Nordica for nine years as international competition services director in the U.S. and Europe and did boot testing as well. He enjoyed working with U.S. Ski Team skiers who skied in Nordica boots.
Then having children and wanting to stay home, he got his Vermont brokers license and sold condos for a few years at Pico and the Hogge Penny before serving as the general manager and director of sales for the home-owners association at Okemo’s Winterplace from 1991-1999.
“My best project and assignment was the resurrection of the Round Top ski area in Plymouth, which became the private Bear Creek Mountain Club,” he said of his job as vice president and general manager from 1999 to 2010. That led to serving as general manager and executive director of the Hunt Hollow 450-member private ski resort in the Finger Lakes of Western New York, followed by overseeing resort and hotel operations at Ascutney Mountain from| 2013 to 2014.
He also was a founding member of the Okemo Mountain School and served as a member of the National Ski Patrol (2000-2014). Neal also served on the Ludlow School Board and Select Board for many years and on other civic committees like the one that saw to the purchase of the local armory and its redevelopment into a local community center.
Q&A with John Neal
When did you join Okemo and in what position?
John Neal: I came back to Okemo in 2013, working part time as the assistant to Okemo’s race director and gave Snow Cat Tours evenings. I took a full-time position in 2014 as director of facilities operations and in 2018 became the director of resort operations. I oversee parking and shuttle ops, base area grounds, sign shop, building maintenance, uniforms, custodial team, night transport, sustainability, and base area administration.
What are the challenges in your work?
JN: Part of the job is how quickly you can adapt and change. I find work interesting — it’s a fast-paced world especially as you build into winter each year. I always tell my team that we have all learned to work off-balance and to adapt quickly to changes we’ll see.
What do you like about your job, working at a ski area?
JN: I really like challenges and have learned how to handle hard things better and always take things in stride. I’ve never had a bad day, just some are better than others.
I really enjoy being part of a larger enterprise and developing young bright leaders who will be the next generation of industry experts. The small tight community of the industry — the people, the teams, the dedication, and passion are all rewarding to see and be part of.
What are the greatest changes you’ve seen in the ski industry?
JN: Technology and automation. Technology has helped us build better efficiency into resort operations. It’s much more tech-driven than it used to be, and from a staffing standpoint you don’t need as many people, just the right people.
The Epic Pass was a brilliant way to open the door to new skiers and riders and to make skiing affordable to a larger and diverse demographic and enable them to become the next passionate generation of skiers and snowboarders.
Were there any people who were special influences or mentors to you?
JN: Barry Tucker, Okemo former senior director of mountain operation. I worked with Barry summers when I was in college. Barry was gritty, tough, focused, and driven. But with a quiet gentle demeanor he taught me failure was never an option.
Any insight on why Okemo became so successful?
JN: The location near major skier markets and the easy driving distance to Okemo. As a family mountain, generations of families returned.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
JN: Biking, fishing, carpentry and spending time with my wife, children, and five grandkids.
Do you have a favorite movie or book that you’d like to recommend?
JN: The American President. The message: making hard decisions is sometimes not popular but are the right ones to make.
What’s your take on the mountain or ski town lifestyle?
JN: I love the mountain and ski town atmosphere in Ludlow. I’m passionate about the challenges, success, and opportunities that Okemo Resort has brought to our community.
MT: Any advice or words of wisdom to share?
JN: Follow your dreams, never look back, have no regrets, and dance like no one is watching.
John Neal racing in a Pro Tour few decades ago — long before helmets became a requirement.
John Neal
