WHO WE ARE

Craig grew up as a surfer in Southern California and moved to Mammoth in 1980 for the typical semester off of college to be a ski bum…but soon discovered the unlikely career path of being a professional ski instructor and working his way up in the management of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, currently in the role of Senior Director of Skier Services. Over his lengthy ski education career he has been deeply involved with the Professional Ski Instructors of America, the 33,000 member non-profit ski education association where he worked as an Examiner and served on PSIA Divisional and National Boards for 25 years. Craig met his wife Mary in Mammoth in the early 80’s and they have been blessed to raise their two adult daughters in the Eastern Sierra. They are all avid skiers, hikers, climbers, cyclist and backcountry enthusiasts with time together outdoors being a central pillar of their family life. They are currently adjusting to their “empty nest syndrome” by exploring Forest Service roads throughout the Eastside on their e-bikes and look forward to continuing their active, outdoor, family lifestyle as grandparents someday.

Contact Craig Albright: calbright@mammothlakesrecreation.org

David is a national award-winning journalist and finalist for a 2015 National Magazine Award. Based in Mammoth Lakes, he has written for the Los Angeles Times Magazine, Men’s Journal, Ski, Skiing, Powder, The New York Times, Outside, and many other publications, and is the author of the Lowell Thomas Award-winning Explorer’s Guide to Yosemite & the Southern Sierra Nevada (Countryman Press). He is a co-founder and former C.O.O. of Mammoth Medical Missions.

Contact David Page: dpage@mammothlakesrecreation.org

Tamara Bankson is currently the Director of Guest Experience at Mammoth Resorts, overseeing several of the off mountain experiences.  Prior to this, Tamara worked for San Diego Zoo Global for 16 years as the Senior Operations Manager working in Guest Services, Education and Tour programs.  She served on the San Diego Zoo’s Disability Access Advisory Group and chaired the Wild Heroes Military outreach and support program.  She is a Certified Interpretive Trainer through the National Association for Interpretation, and a Certified Attractions Manager through the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.  She enjoyed working in in Africa, Canada and New Zealand teaching community building, alternative livelihoods and interpretation.  Outside of her career, Tamara is a wife and mother of two, avid traveler and active in outdoor sports and recreation.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and a Master’s of Business Administration from George Washington University.  Tamara has a passion for travel, the study of culture, conservation and the preservation of the natural world. She is a life-long learner who believes in the power of individuals to better the world through socially responsible choices, and paying our good fortune forward.

Contact Tamara Bankson: tbankson@mammothlakesrecreation.org

Heather moved to Mammoth Lakes in 2002 for a two-year adventure and never left. A 20-year veteran of the Food & Beverage industry, Heather produces two of Mammoth Lakes’ most popular events; the Mammoth Rock N Rye and Oktoberfest. Heather volunteers her time for the Parents-Teachers Organization, Girl Scouts, and wherever else she is needed in the community. She also enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, skiing and long walks in the sand.

Contact Heather Schaubmayer: hschaubmayer@mammothlakesrecreation.org 

Catherine Taft is a writer, critic, and curator based in Los Angeles. Catherine is currently Deputy Director and Curator of the Hollywood-based, non-profit art space LAXART. Prior to this role, she served as Assistant Curator at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and held various curatorial positions at the Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles. A graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder, and Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, Catherine is a frequent contributor to publications including Artforum, Modern Painters, ArtReview, and Kaleidoscope. She has written major catalog essays on artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Carroll Dunham, and Matthew Barney, among many others. Born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, Catherine has long been passionate about the advancement of arts and culture in mountain communities. She has been a devoted, repeat visitor to Mammoth Lakes since moving to California in 2002 and loves hiking, snowboarding, camping, and fishing in the Eastern Sierras.

Contact Catherine Taft: ctaft@mammothlakesrecreation.org

Colin Fernie moved to Mammoth Lakes in 2009. He is the owner of Black Tie Ski Rentals (a premium ski and snowboard rental delivery company) and R, R & F Asset Management (a real estate acquisition, development and property management company). Since moving to Mammoth, Colin has been very involved in the community. In 2012 he was appointed to the Planning and Economic Development Commission, where he served for 2 years before being elected in 2014 to the Mammoth Lakes Town Council, where he served for 4 years. He has also served on the board of directors for Mammoth Lakes Tourism, Mammoth Lakes Housing, the Eastern Sierra Transit authority, and was a prior board member of Mammoth Lakes Recreation.

Colin grew up in Columbus, OH. After graduating high school in 2002, he continued his academic and athletic career at the University of Rochester where he was a midfielder for the Men’s Soccer Team. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Rochester in 2006 with a BA as a dual major in Honors Psychology and Religion.

His current passions include skiing, soccer, hockey, running, hiking, biking and exploring the outdoors. His primary focus as a Board Member for MLR is to enhance our community amenities and recreation assets.

Contact Colin Fernie: cfernie@mammothlakesrecreation.org

Eric Wasserman is the founder and managing partner of Mammoth Wealth Management, Inc. He holds Series 7, 24, 63 and 65 licenses in addition to his General Insurance and California LTC partnership licenses. Eric brings over 20 years of experience in the financial industry where he has worked hard to serve his clients’ needs by providing customized financial planning and investment strategies throughout multiple economic cycles. His philosophy is to explain the complex financial world in terms that his clients can understand and relate to in order to help them achieve their goals.

Mr. Wasserman’s comprehensive knowledge has led to regular media appearances as an expert guest and host on regional, national and globally syndicated programs including CNN Financial’ s The Money Gang, NJ Channel 12 and Business Talk Radio. Additionally, he was sought after as a regular contributor for several printed media publications.

Early is his career, he served as a portfolio manager and advisor with the Magnet Investment Group in Randolph, NJ. In 2002, his passion for skiing and outdoor sports led him to relocate to Mammoth Lakes, California. Following his cross-country move, he started an Edward Jones office in 2003, single-handedly building a top-producing branch. He founded Mammoth Wealth Management in 2014 so he could provide a more comprehensive platform to service his clients by giving him the freedom to customize his offerings to meet individual needs.

Eric is a committed community leader, investing his time in building the Mammoth Lakes community. He has served as Mobility Commissioner, Rotary Club Treasurer, two-term Grand Juror, member of the Advisory Council for Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, President of the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, as well as an integral role in the creation of Mammoth Lakes Tourism and serving as a Founding Board member.

Eric received a BA from the University of Pittsburgh in 1994 with concentrations in Business, Behavioral Neuroscience and Heath Care.

Contact Eric Wasserman: ewasserman@mammothlakesrecreation.org

Rhonda Duggan moved to the Eastern Sierra nearly 30 years ago from Southern California and never looked back.  While attending Fullerton College and Cal State Fullerton,  she studied music, theatre arts, and dance along with business. Upon moving to Mammoth, Rhonda began her career in resort sales, marketing, and revenue management at Mammoth Mountain. She joined the Sierra Nevada Resort team as Hotel General Manager, and now has her own hospitality consulting firm, Sierra Hospitality Consultants.  She has served the community on the Mammoth Lakes Tourism Commission, Planning and Economic Development Commission, Mono County Grand Jury and joined the Executive Board of Mammoth Lakes Tourism.  Her passion is growing and promoting arts and recreation in Mammoth and Rhonda has worked with the Sierra Summer Festival, Mono Arts Council, Mammoth Lakes Foundation, Bluesapaloosa and Harvest Moon Presents on various productions, events and concerts.

Contact Rhonda Duggan: rduggan@mammothlakesrecreation.org

Bill Sauser first came to Mammoth Lakes with his parents in 1958. He sat on the Town of Mammoth Lakes Recreation Commission for 16 years and served on the Southern Mono Historical Society Board of Directors. Bill currently sits on the Town Council for Mammoth Lakes.

An avid supporter of all forms of recreation, Bill is particularly passionate about the continued development of the groomed trail system on the Inyo National Forest, which services the winter recreational needs of both motorized and non-motorized users. As the President of the Mammoth Lakes Snowmobile Association, Bill helped create the orange diamond trail system. Bill worked to obtain grants and lobby for the Inyo National Forest to groom the trail system for the benefit of Mammoth Lakes and Mono County residents and tourists, motorized and non-motorized alike.

Contact Bill Sauser: bsauser@townofmammothlakes.ca.gov