KILLINGTON, Vermont — After a nationwide search that identified several top candidates for the position of president and general manager, Mt. Bachelor outside of Bend, Ore. today announced the hiring of Dave Rathbun to fill the mountain leadership post that has been vacant since May 20. Rathbun will begin work immediately.

Rathbun previously served as Director of Marketing, Sales, Reservations and Golf at Mt. Bachelor’s sister resorts of Killington Resort and Pico Mountain.

“Dave brings a unique combination of operations and marketing communications experience that will be instrumental in reestablishing Mt. Bachelor’s reputation both on the mountain and in the community,” said Herwig Demschar, Chief Operating Officer for POWDR Corp., Mt. Bachelor’s parent company. “Most importantly, he brings a collaborative perspective, progressive management style and guest services background that makes him an ideal fit for the positive direction in which Mt. Bachelor is headed.”

Rathbun’s experience in not only marketing and sales, but resort operations, will be missed at both Killington Resort and Pico Mountain.

“Our loss is Mt. Bachelor’s gain,” said Chris Nyberg, president and general manager for Killington Resort and Pico Mountain, who also worked at Mt Bachelor for more than a dozen years. “All of us here at Killington and Pico are very excited for Dave and this wonderful new opportunity he has been presented and we wish him the very best.

“We are very fortunate to have a solid marketing, sales, reservations and communications team here at Killington that will continue to move us forward,” Nyberg continued. “We’re coming off a very successful first season under our new ownership and as a team we’re focused on improving our guest service, overall guest experience and our leadership position as the Northeast’s top winter destination.”

Prior to joining Killington, Rathbun served as National Business Development Director and Director of Sales for Intrawest Colorado, encompassing Copper Mountain and Winter Park Resort in Colorado and Breeze Ski/MAX Snowboard Rental operations located throughout the west. Rathbun began his career at Stratton Mountain, Vermont, in food and beverage, mountain, and golf operations before becoming a supervisor in Guest Services and head of the sales department.

“With challenge comes opportunity, and I look at this as an opportunity to take one of the West’s best pure mountains for skiing and riding, with phenomenal snowfall, snow quality and the two vibrant base camps of Bend and Sunriver at its feet, and reestablish it as a destination that both locals and vacationers can be proud to visit,” said Rathbun.

While at Killington, Rathbun served on the Board of Directors for the Killington Chamber of Commerce and the Vermont Achievement Center, and was a Commissioner for newly formed Town of Killington Economic Development and Tourism Commission.

A graduate of Saint Lawrence University in Canton, NY, Rathbun comes to Bend with his family including wife, Gillian, and daughters Blake (12) and Paget (9).

About Killington Resort:
The largest ski and snowboard resort in eastern North America, Killington celebrates its 50th birthday on Dec. 13, 2008 with more than $8.4 million in on-mountain improvements, including the new Skye Peak Express. Killington features diverse terrain, an expansive lift network, the most extensive snowmaking system in the world and numerous off-mountain activities, including apr??s, dining, shopping and lodging options. www.killington.com

About Mt. Bachelor:
Celebrating its 50th anniversary during the 2008-2009 season, Mt. Bachelor is the fifth largest ski resort in North America, offering 3,683 acres accessible by lifts. The mountain features 7 Express Quads, 3 Triple Chairlifts, 2 Tubing lifts and a Wonder Carpet, with an average annual snowfall of 370 inches. Mt. Bachelor also features terrain parks, 56K of groomed and tracked cross country trails, snowshoeing, tubing and dog sled rides. For weather conditions, news and events visit www.mtbachelor.com.