Sandpoint, ID – John Pucci, the Patrol Director at Idaho’s Schweitzer Mountain Resort, has retired after 45 years on the patrol and 38 years as Patrol Director.

Pucci was honored last week by both the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association (PNSAA) with that organization’s “Tower of Excellence” award, and by the Association of Professional Patrollers (APP) with a “Life Time Achievement” award.

Pucci’s long and distinguished career with Schweitzer began in 1965, when he filled a position on the resort’s ski patrol.  In 1972, Pucci was promoted to Patrol Director, a position he held until he retired in mid-April. For a short period of time, Pucci also assumed the position of Schweitzer’s mountain manager.  During his 45 years of employment at Schweitzer, Pucci oversaw all aspects of the patrol function and directed the patrol’s day-to-day operations.

“John leads by example and with integrity and has earned the respect of all who have worked with him,” noted Bill Williamson, Schweitzer Mountain Resort Mountain Operations Director.  “Over the course of his career, he has led and assisted on countless searches and rescues – always maintaining his cool and professionalism.  His contribution to Schweitzer Mountain Resort, the town of Sandpoint, Idaho, and the many individuals he has mentored is truly extraordinary.”

“It is difficult to measure the success of someone like John because his function at the resort is primarily that of accident prevention, risk management, and, emergency mitigation,” noted Scott Kaden, PNSAA President.  “John’s legacy, in part, is literally the hundreds of young ski patrollers he has trained and mentored, and who have gone on to have successful careers both within and outside ski area management.  I congratulate John for his very successful patrolling career and hold him out as a model for emulation.”