Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us a little about your company its specialties, its history, the size of its staff:
Michael Dalzell: Kirkwood Mountain Resort is located atop the Sierra Crest with a geographical advantage that accounts for the lightest and driest snow in the Lake Tahoe region. With an annual snowfall of over 600 inches, it is easy to see why Kirkwood has become synonymous with deep powder skiing and riding. With over 2,300 acres of legendary terrain and an intimate mountain village setting, Kirkwood Mountain Resort provides destination guests a perfect backdrop for an energizing getaway.
NNBW: What role do you play in the company?
Dalzell: As director of sales and marketing I am responsible for developing and implementing all strategic sales and marketing plans to support the growth objectives of the resort.
NNBW: How did you get into this profession?
Dalzell: A passionate skier and outdoors person, it was my dream and goal at a very young age to work in this industry. I started in sales and a resort in eastern Canada as my first job out of university. Things progressed from there.
NNBW: What are some of the skills and abilities necessary for someone to succeed in this job?
Dalzell: You need to have very strong business analysis, math and strategy development skills in my role. It is essential to understand the business, the numbers and the market. This combined with strong people skills is a powerful and rare combination that will lead to success for any marketer.
NNBW: If you could have had any other profession what would it have been? Why wasn't it your first choice?
Dalzell: Psychologist. I like to listen to people, help out and make a difference in people's lives.
NNBW: What do you like to do when you're not working?
Dalzell: Spend time with my family. I also ski (obviously) and am an avid cyclist. Staying fit is a priority.
NNBW: Have any advice for someone who wants to enter your profession?
Dalzell: Accounting and finance are fun ... and important. There are too many marketers who are weak in these aspects. Learning this needs to be a priority for any young budding marketer.
NNBW: What person, living or dead, would you most like to have dinner with, and why?
Dalzell: Robin Williams (living). He is interesting and it would be a fun dinner. Albert Einstein (dead). It would be fascinating to have dinner with such a complex thinker. From all accounts he was a pretty down-to-earth guy.
NNBW: Would you rather be younger, thinner, richer or smarter? Why?
Dalzell: Yes. Victim of societal pressures.
NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Dalzell: "Keep your head up in the corners." It was for hockey when I was 7 years old. The advice has gone a long way in my business life.
NNBW: What do you like most about your job? What do you like least?
Dalzell: Easy access to skiing great powder (I do ski a lot). Winning capturing share from competitors and growth the business. I like to be the small kid in the sand box.
NNBW: What are five things you can't live without?
Dalzell: Espresso machine for my morning latte; support and love from family and friends; daily workout (ride, run, gym); close friends; and my iPhone. This is not in any order of importance.
NNBW: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why would you want it?
Dalzell: It would be to turn back time so that I can turn back the clock to change certain historical events that have resulted in some bad things in the word (poverty, racism, global warming, etc.)
NNBW: What does the content of your refrigerator say about you?
Dalzell: It says a ton about me. I am currently a bachelor as my family is still in Canada. I have the following: Coffee, smoothie ingredients, pasta, salsa, milk and juice.
The basics:
Name: Michael Dalzell, director of sales and marketing at Kirkwood
How long have you been in this job? Just under two months
How long in the profession? 15 years
Education: Master's of business administration in international finance
Best book you've read? "Good to a Fault" by Marina Endicott
What's on your iPod? Very diverse mix, downbeats, funky lounge
The best movie ever? "Dead Poets Society" and "Seize the Day"
Spouse, kids or pets? Happily married to wife, Laurie; two girls, Daela, 8, and Ainslee, 6 years old
