New management at Krabloonik

Krabloonik Restaurant and Dog Sledding has announced new management for both its kennel and restaurant.

Dan Phillips will take over as the kennel manager; Rob Henneberg has been hired as restaurant manager, Krabloonik said in a statement.

“Our 2014 team is one of the strongest, most talented and experienced management teams Krabloonik has ever had,” said owner/operator Dan MacEachen. “They are handpicked from my 40 years of industry experience, and both know the Krabloonik experience firsthand. We will have a great season.”

The hirings come after outspoken general manager Guy Courtney resigned Oct. 29. Courtney, who had been general manager since 2009, had been seeking to purchase the business with a group of investors. Eight veteran mushers also had signed letters saying that they won’t return to Krabloonik for the 2013-14 winter season if Courtney is not successful in purchasing Krabloonik.

Krabloonik has come under fire lately over allegations that the dogs are not provided proper treatment.

The statement does not address the accusations, but it does note that the dogs are treated with care.

“Our highest priorities remain the health and welfare of our highly trained dogs and the safety of our guests,” MacEachen said in the statement.

The statement also notes that “Dan Phillips, Krabloonik’s new kennel manager, credits Dan MacEachen with launching his career as a successful trainer for both mushers and sled dogs of Iditarod racing caliber. Ten years ago, Dan was hired as a musher at Krabloonik and quickly ‘became addicted and learned from the best.’ He believes successful racing requires the dogs be healthy as well as happy and employs a ‘science of sled-dog care, which includes diet, exercise and health treatments ranging from chiropractic to acupuncture.”

The statement quotes Phillips as saying, “I am thrilled to be back with Dan (MacEachen) and have the opportunity to work with these amazing dogs and the returning veterans and rookie mushers who make up the Krabloonik family.”

Henneberg, meanwhile, has management experience in such Aspen restaurants as Pinons, Matsuhisa and Cache Cache. He recently returned to Aspen after eight years in Atlanta, where he worked for the Ritz-Carlton and Marlow’s Tavern.