Cole steps down from Aspen Valley Ski/Snowboard Club

Mark Cole has announced his resignation as executive director of the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club.

His resignation will take effect at the end of July, according to a statement from AVSC’s board of directors.

Cole will continue to work for AVSC in a part-time role for a least a year while he and his wife, Lili, split time between Aspen and Wyoming.

The board touted Cole’s 15-year leadership role that included increasing scholarship awards tenfold and a 150 percent growth in team-level programs.

“On behalf of the entire board, I would like to thank Mark for his many significant contributions and unending dedication to the youth of this valley and AVSC during his long tenure,” said AVSC board President Mark C. Ganzi. “Under Mark’s leadership, AVSC has risen to a level of national prominence while staying true to the club’s mission and commitment to great athletes, great kids.”

Under Cole’s direction, AVSC won the Aspen Chamber Resort Association’s Non-Profit of the Year accolades in 2005 and 2014. It was selected national Club of the Year in 2011 by the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association. AVSC also opened the Stapleton Training Center in 2014.

Cole praised the board, AVSC staff, Aspen Skiing Co. and the community for their efforts to help AVSC grow and succeed.

“The community comes together in a beautiful way to make our programs possible,” he said. “It was a turning point in 2003 when the Gorsuch family began providing free equipment to our neediest scholarship recipients. This inspired D&E (snowboard shop) to follow suit in 2009 with snowboard equipment, and so many individuals and businesses have stepped up to help when we needed it the most.”

In the meantime, a task force under the AVSC board has launched a search for a new executive director that should last about two months, according to the statement.