Mason taking over helm of Colorado Snowsports Museum

Jen Mason, a Vail Town Council member and long-time Vail Valley Foundation standout, is taking over the helm of the Colorado Snowsports Museum in January with the retirement of current executive director and former council member Susie Tjossem.

Here’s the full press release from the Colorado Snowsports Museum:

VAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION’S JEN MASON TAKES THE REINS AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COLORADO SNOWSPORTS MUSEUM WITH TJOSSEM’S RETIREMENT

VAIL, Colorado—The Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame will undergo a changing of the guard at the outset of 2019 as Jennifer Mason, Director of the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater and Operations for the Vail Valley Foundation, will take on the role of Executive Director with the retirement of longtime Museum Director Susie Tjossem.  Jen will begin her new responsibilities in January.

“I am very excited to begin the next phase of my professional career,” explained Mason, “and I am extremely grateful to the Snowsports Museum for giving me this tremendous opportunity.  The newly transformed Museum is a wonderful representation of our community and its snowsports heritage, and I am honored to be able to help guide its future.  I want to thank the Vail Valley Foundation for allowing me to grow as a professional over the past 18 years and I thank Susie for passing on such a great venue to celebrate Colorado skiing and snowboarding.”

Mason has served in numerous key positions for the Foundation over the course of her 18-year tenure, since joining the nonprofit organization in 2001 as the House Manager for both the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater and the Vilar Performing Arts Center.  She currently serves as one of the organization’s Operations Directors, in addition to leading the day to day operations of the Ford Amphitheater.

“I am thrilled to welcome Jen to the Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame executive team,” offered Tjossem.  “Having worked closely with her on a variety of levels and projects, she is a true professional who cares very deeply about our community.  It’s hard to conceive of a more suitable person to take the reins of the Museum at this point in its 42 year history. She will be a great asset to the newly renovated the Museum, which is the crown jewel of the community.”

Tjossem has served as the Museum’s Executive Director since 2007, working tirelessly to enhance the organization’s presence throughout the state.  She recently spearheaded the facility’s $2.5 million transformation, taking the project from inception to completion.

Prior to her 12-year tenure with the Museum, Tjossem served as Vice President of Sports and Recreation for Vail Resorts before joining Booth Creek Ski Holdings, designing resort products and services for Northstar, Telluride and other resorts.

In addition to her regular Foundation responsibilities, Mason was the lead VVF staff member for a trio of committees for the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, while also coordinating Opening and Closing Ceremonies, along with the 22 Award Ceremonies during the Championships.  In this role, she managed three budgets totaling over $5 million.  She was elected to a four-year term on the Vail Town Council in 2015, following her first run for public office.

“While retirement from the Colorado Snowsports Museum is a bittersweet time for me,” added Tjossem, “I am excited to enter the next chapter of my life, being a grandparent, knowing that the Museum will be in good hands.”

“We congratulate Susie on her incredible leadership of the Snowsports Museum and we are very pleased for Jennifer Mason to have this exciting new professional adventure,” said Mike Imhof, President and CEO of the Vail Valley Foundation.  “While we are saddened to see Jennifer move on from the VVF, we are grateful for her many years of service and commitment to the VVF’s arts, athletics and education mission and wish Jennifer continued success in her new endeavor.”

Located atop the Vail Village Parking Structure, the Colorado Snowsports Museum recently underwent a $2.5 million complete transformation.  The newly remodeled facility features six primary exhibits, enhanced with interactive screens, showcasing and chronicling the rich history and heritage of the Colorado ski and snowboard industry.  These exhibits include the 10^th Mountain Division, Skiing Through Time, the History of Colorado Snowsports Competition, the Evolution of Snowboarding in Colorado, Colorado’s Ski Resorts and 100 Years of Ski Fashion and Function, in addition to the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame.

Guided tours and presentations are available several days a week, while the Museum Gift Shop offers a wide variety of unique vintage ski, 10^th Mountain Division and Colorado souvenirs and gifts.  For additional information on the Colorado Snowsports Museum, please visit www.snowsportsmuseum.org.