Since the beginning of his career, Jim O’Leary has held three core values at the forefront of his work—mottos that have served him well. “Work hard no matter what the position, be passionate, and treat others with honesty and respect,” he professes.
O’Leary grew up in the Chicago area and attended the University of Illinois as an English major. His post-graduation plan was to attend law school until he stumbled upon Snowmass Village when visiting a friend. “I was immediately mesmerized by the natural beauty of the mountains,” O’Leary recalls. “I was hooked.”
With both the mountains and the tourism industry calling, O’Leary took a leap of faith and began his hospitality career as a bellman at Stonebridge Inn in Snowmass Village. From there, he advanced to the front desk and reservations, and, within two years, began his long stint in group sales. Along the way, he progressed to his current position as the national sales manager for Snowmass Tourism and currently represents 32 properties in the village that can host meetings and events.
It’s not a hard sell when Snowmass ski area was named the No. 2 “Best Ski Resort in North America” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards 2022 and No. 3 “Best Ski Resort in the West” by Ski Magazine (along with the three other resorts that make up Aspen Snowmass).
Above all, O’Leary’s efforts are driven by his love of the area and the connections he has established along the way. His devotion to assisting both clients and co-workers has sustained him in the industry for over 30 years. He strives to help the next generation of group sales team members succeed, hoping that they will continue Snowmass Tourism’s already impressive legacy. “Being a mentor to those entering the tourism business is a passion of mine,” he says.
When he isn’t promoting Snowmass Village as a destination for meetings and events, O’Leary enjoys skiing, biking, hiking, and listening to music.
He says, “My love of the mountains—and specifically Snowmass Village—has led me to so many life-changing experiences and professional milestones.”
