About

The mission of the Vail Chamber & Business Association is to responsibly and professionally advocate for economic development and communication for the Vail merchant community that will foster collaborative relationships and revenue development opportunities for its members.

Board of Directors:

Alison Wadey (Executive Director)

Before joining the VCBA team, Alison was an independent marketing and sales consultant for the past two years. Before this, she served as the Director of Membership Sales & Marketing at the Club at Cordillera for ten years. She is involved in the community through the Vail Rotary Club and other charitable organizations.

 

Mike Lange (Lions Square Lodge) President of the Board

Mike began working at The Charter at Beaver Creek as a Night Auditor in 1985.  Mike graduated in 1985 with a BA in Finance from UND and an MBA from the University of Denver in 1996.  At The Charter, he held the positions of Controller from 1989-1997 and General Manager from 1997-2015.

He was promoted to Executive General Manager of Vail/BC for Wyndham Vacation Rentals and moved to Lion Square Lodge in 2015.  As an EGM, Mike oversees the day-to-day operations for Vail/BC and thoroughly understands budgets, property management, and operations.  Mike and his Associates have high service standards and emphasize hotel-type services (bell service, concierge, onsite front desks, daily housekeeping, etc.) in Condominium properties.

 

Matt Gruesbeck –Treasurer (FirstBank Vail)

Matt Gruesbeck is from Michigan and grew up on a family-owned potato farm.  His family took a ski vacation to Vail when he was in High School, and from that point on, his dream was to live in the greatest place on earth, Vail.

Matt moved to Vail in 2013 after graduating from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Finance.

He is a Vice President at FirstBank and brings extensive knowledge of local commercial and residential real estate to the board.  Matt is likely skiing and exploring the mountains in his free time with his fiancé, Lauren Arnold and adventure dog, Maverick.

 

Ami Hudgins (Antlers at Vail)

Ami is the Director of Sales and Revenue at the Antlers at Vail. With 22 years of hospitality experience in the Vail Valley she is committed to growing revenues in the valley through growth in overall occupancy and rate.

Ami’s passion in work is staying close to both local and regional trends to make the best business decisions for the Antlers and Vail and Vail as a destination. Growing up skiing in Waterville Valley New Hampshire, moving to Colorado was always a dream. She loves selling Vail as the best ski resort and an amazing place to raise a family.

Nic Weidner (Vail Resorts Retail)

Katie McDonald (Lodge at Lionshead)

Katie McDonald is originally from Tampa, FL. She graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Central Florida before moving to Vail in 2018. Katie has worked at Lodge at Lionshead since moving in 2018, starting as a front desk agent and eventually making her way up to her dream job as a General Manager.

Katie grew up vacationing in Vail with her family and knew one day that she’d like to move here. She is passionate about her work as well as her employees, but overall – she wants everyone to enjoy all that Vail has to offer. Katie and her husband Parker live in Eagle where they spend the majority of their time enjoying all of the amazing outdoor activities

Christopher Mcroy (Lodge at Vail)

Marco Valenti (Vail Resorts Retail)

Marco Valenti is the Senior Manager for Vail Resorts Retail in Vail Village and oversees the operation of both the Vail Sports and concept shops.  Marco is passionate about his team, the snowsports industry, and delivering world-class guest service throughout town. Originally from North Carolina, Marco and his wife Celine live in East Vail and are happy to call Vail, CO, home.