Pat O’Donnell – A visionary within the ski community, when O’Donnell first came to the Aspen Skiing Company he brought an appreciation and understanding for the fact that the future of skiing depends on the industry’s relationship with the natural environment. Responsible stewardship of the mountain environment was O’Donnell’s mission as he moved the Aspen Skiing Company to the forefront of the green movement. At a time when environmental concerns and ski area operations were at opposite ends of the spectrum, O’Donnell blazed a trail to cross that divide, realizing that any ski area’s long-term success depends on its ability to protect the natural environment. Under O’Donnell’s leadership, Aspen introduced one of the first environmental foundations started by a ski area, the first sustainability report in the ski industry, the first use of biodiesel fuel in snowcats and the largest solar array in the ski industry, to name just a few of his innovations. Many of these programs challenged the rest of the ski industry to follow suit and set a new standard of accountability. Through his continued push for sustainability, conservation and environmental protection, O’Donnell forever changed the face of Colorado’s snow sports industry and helped ensure the beauty of Colorado’s ski country will endure for future generations to enjoy.