Kirsten Lynch, the chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts, will take over as the company's CEO and join the company's board of directors effective November 1. At that time, Rob Katz, the company's current CEO, will be appointed executive chairperson of the board and remain fully active and engaged in Vail Resorts' key strategic decisions and priorities. Additionally, Ryan Bennett, currently VP of marketing, lift revenue, will be named chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts.
Lynch joined Vail Resorts in 2011 as chief marketing officer and previously held senior leadership positions at PepsiCo and Kraft Foods. Lynch is a member of the board of directors of Stitch Fix. In 2019, she was named to Forbes' CMO Next list, recognized as one of the top 50 game-changing marketing leaders.
Katz was appointed to the Vail Resorts board of directors in 1996 and named CEO in 2006. As executive chairperson, Katz will remain a Vail Resorts employee and director, advising both Lynch and the board on long-term strategy and critical priorities. While he is stepping down from the day-to-day operations of the company, he will be engaged in key strategic projects and decisions. He will also remain involved in Vail Resorts' activities around leadership development as well as its efforts to broaden diversity, equity and inclusion at both the company and throughout the industry.
Bennett joined Vail Resorts in 2018 as vice president of marketing analytics before he was promoted to his current role as vice president of marketing, lift revenue. In addition to leading the company's season pass and lift ticket businesses, Bennett has driven numerous strategic revenue and guest experience projects. Prior to joining Vail Resorts, Bennett was with Boston Consulting Group for 11 years, including four years as a partner and managing director.