The Tower of Excellence Award recognizes a ski area employee who has steadfastly contributed to the success of ski area operations over the course of a ski industry career, or has demonstrated exceptional performance during a single winter of operation. Scully began his ski industry career at Mt. Hood Meadows in 1984 as a rental technician. In the summer of 1989, he secured full-time employment with the resort’s lift maintenance department, where he presently serves as lift maintenance manager. Between 1984 and 1989, he enjoyed stints in lodge maintenance, ski school, lift operations, and lift installations (working the summer of 1987 on a CTEC chairlift installation).
“Tom is an incredible asset to Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort and the ski industry. His knowledge and desire for excellence is a key part of the success of our company. Others look up to him as someone who ‘walks the talk’ and Tom does not ask someone to do what he would not do himself,” commented Steve Warila, executive director of operations and planning at Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort.
Scully has been instrumental in the development of the resort’s preventative lift maintenance program. He also organizes the snow machine training program, as well as the non-destructive testing program for chair grips. This winter, Scully put forth significant effort to assist with the development of the Mountain Department’s training programs, procedures, policies, and protocol.
A widely respected attorney, Brad Stanford’s legal practice focuses on business litigation, products liability, and insurance defense. Having practiced with Farleigh Wada Witt since 1990, Stanford, recipient of the PNSAA's 2008 Industrial Strength Award, is particularly skilled in the field of ski area risk management. Stanford is actively engaged in the national Association of Ski Defense Attorneys (ASDA); he is ASDA’s immediate past president.
“Brad is a huge asset to the ski industry and invaluable to Mt. Hood Meadows,” noted Mel Toney, Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort Director of Ski Patrol and Risk Management. “His intimate knowledge of both the sport and the statute, combined with his unpretentious style, make him a formidable foe during the entire litigation process – putting his clients at ease and catching the plaintiffs off guard,” added Toney.
“While Brad is best known for his ability to secure favorable jury verdicts for ski area operations,” commented Scott Kaden, president of the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association, “he also is successful with product liability cases related to snow sport equipment manufacturers. In 2005, Brad obtained a defense verdict in a $16 million products liability case against a Swiss snowboard manufacturer. Svitek v. Nidecker was the first case of its kind to go to trial in the United States, it had industry wide implications, and Brad successfully secured a positive jury verdict for the snowboard manufacturer.”
