When the Board Fails the People

My response to the firing of Eaglecrest's General Manager

Hello Readers,

My goal with this newsletter is to document and celebrate the beauty and fun of local snow riding and our playing and learning ground, Eaglecrest Ski Area on Douglas Island in Juneau, Alaska. Eaglecrest is owned and operated by the City and Borough of Juneau and overseen by a volunteer board of community members.

Unfortunately this edition is a somber one. June 3 was the last day for Dave Scanlan in the position of General Manager. At its most recent meeting, the board made the baffling decision to force his resignation. Social media is full of comments in support of Dave and thankful for his many contributions. They come from snowriders, former board members, employees and small business owners upset by the action and fearful for Eaglecrest’s future.

If you haven’t already done so, I recommend signing a petition outlining concerns with the sudden transition. As of this writing, it is well on its way to a 500 signature goal. The large downtown library conference room won’t be enough space to hold the Eaglecrest users expected to show up and testify at the next board meeting, Thursday, June 6 at 5:30 p.m. Concerned users are also encouraged to write letters to the board at eaglecrestboard@juneau.gov. Here’s mine:

Dear Eaglecrest Board,

As an Eaglecrest user, part time employee (ski instructor) of more than thirty years and a past board member, I cannot fathom the forced resignation of a person who devoted the past seven years of his life to nothing more than the betterment and sustainability of a key community resource. Dave Scanlan was a shining beacon of positivity and can-do-ness in the face of the inevitable weather roller coaster, staff shortages and a global pandemic.  Under Dave’s management, Eaglecrest has:

-answered the call for a detailed and ambitious plan to make Eaglecrest more sustainable and profitable year-round

-partnered with Goldbelt to install a gondola for year-round access to Eaglecrest’s stunning terrain for both locals and visitors

- installed an extended water line to improve and maximize snowmaking options

 -built a network of mountain bike and hiking trails

-initiated and facilitated an off-season maintenance plan to improve low snow season grooming

-maintained active postseason grooming to make the mountain safer for hikers and backcountry skiers

-provided onsite problem solving to get lifts running as soon as possible

-insured winter road maintenance for staff and guests

-sustained grooming and maintenance of Nordic ski trails

-built and oversaw the first two cabins of a new year-round public cabin system

-secured a raise in employee wages

-worked with small business owners to build and install a popular bar that hosted group apres’ ski activities and fundraisers

-resurrected the Slush Cup that brings in spectators, including non-skiers from all over Juneau

-worked with the ski club to host successful statewide competitions

-was instrumental in hosting free ride competitions for adults and youth that brought in athletes from all over the nation

-worked with Alaska Powder Descents to host pro-skiers and film crews that promote Eaglecrest internationally

-supported Juneau Mountain Rescue and SEADOGS training and operations

-met challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic and innovated ways to keep the ski area open

-secured workers through the J-1 visa system during the post-pandemic staff shortage

-hired talented public relations and media professionals to promote the magic of Eaglecrest

-re-branded the Eaglecrest logo back to the culturally correct eagle formline design

-maintained a vastly improved and informative website

-provided a strong social media presence

This list is off the top of my head. I am sure there are many more things that could be added.

On any given day Dave would be on the mountain before 6 AM, clearing the parking lot for incoming employees and early bird customers. He filled-in for vacant positions all over the mountain. That could be anything from grooming trails for a Nordic Ski Club event to stocking the restroom with paper towels; always with a smile on his face and a we-can-do-this attitude.

I was a member of the Eaglecrest board that let go of our last hands-on manager. I recall feeling not good about the decision. He was replaced by a passionless and out of touch bureaucrat. Dave was the absolute opposite kind of leader; he put his heart and soul into his job.

Over the years I’ve seen the leaders of local businesses and non-profits fall victim to a one-man-band syndrome. They’re expected to provide the same services with at least half the employees needed. The leader of the organization is left to figure out how to pick up the slack. Eaglecrest is no exception. Dave and his staff did as much as humanly possible to keep the chairs spinning, run Snowsports school programs and insure the safety of users.

I can’t help but think staff shortages and vacancies played a role in this decision. You could have supported Dave and his obvious commitment to his job by seeking solutions, or offering him the vacant Mountain Operations position, for which he was more than well qualified. Instead, Eaglecrest’s most enthusiastic and driven leader in decades was thrown out. Just when the community needs him most.

Sincerely,

Katie Bausler, Douglas

Please feel free to write your own letter to the board at eaglecrestboard@juneau.gov, sign the petition or comment on this post, below.