Carrabassett Valley, ME – Sugarloaf on Tuesday announced the appointment of Karl Strand as the Maine ski and snowboard resort’s President and General Manager.  He will succeed the Sugarloaf’s current leader, John Diller, who will retire in April 2015.

Strand will oversee all winter and summer operations at the resort.

Strand has held a leading role in managing key segments of Sugarloaf’s operations, as well as those of its sister resort, Sunday River, for the past ten years. He began his career at these two Boyne Resorts properties in 2004, when he was hired as Vice President of Lodging and Property Management for Sugarloaf and Sunday River. He currently holds the position of Vice President of Mountain Operations at Sunday River.

This announcement brings the organization’s extensive four-month search to a close, a process that yielded many highly qualified external and internal candidates for this vitally important position, according to the company.

“Karl’s exceptional leadership skills made him stand out, and he showcases a diverse knowledge of resort operations,” Stephen Kircher, President of Boyne Resorts’ Eastern Operations said.  “This along with his familiarity with Sugarloaf’s unique DNA and his close relationships with team members throughout our network of resorts made him the best overall candidate among a very competitive and experienced field.  He is the right person to guide the resort into its next chapter and the remaining aspects of the Sugarloaf 2020 vision.”

Strand has been a Sugarloafer since 1987 and first realized his love for skiing during his early years when visiting ski areas throughout Maine and Vermont.  After graduating from Bryant University, he entered the lodging industry and soon discovered his passion for food and beverage operations, which led him to work in fine dining venues in nearly every region of the United States, and toward his completion of studies at the Culinary Institute of America.

That experience and education introduced him to opportunities for various executive positions in the restaurant and resort industry. In 2004, his desire to be in the mountains of Maine led him to Sugarloaf and Sunday River where he has become seasoned in nearly all aspects of resort operations.

“Sugarloaf is dear to my heart, and while retiring as General Manager will be difficult, it will be made easier knowing that the resort will be led by someone as uniquely qualified as Karl Strand,” Diller said.

Back at Sunday River, Jake Treadwell will replace Strand as Vice President of Mountain Operations, effective April 1, 2015. Born and raised in South Paris, Maine, Treadwell started his career at Sunday River as a volunteer in 2001 while earning his Master’s Degree in Athletic Administration at Springfield College. He worked his way up to become a full-time Events and Competitions Manager in 2006 before assuming the role of Mountain Manager and Assistant Vice President of Mountain Operations in 2012.

“I couldn’t be happier for these two team members,” Dana Bullen, Sunday River’s President and General Manager, says. “Jake is a valuable member of this community and extremely important to our team. I’m very pleased to see someone local, with long ties with this resort, move up like this within the organization.”

Treadwell will continue to work with Strand for a smooth transition this spring. “In 2012, we had the unique opportunity to create a short-term position for Jake to work with Karl,” Bullen continues. “The intent was for Jake to step into a senior management role as soon as the opportunity arose. This is great news for both Sunday River and Sugarloaf.”