Scottsdale, AZ (Sunday, May 22, 2005) - The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) honored Brian H. Fairbank, president, CEO and co-owner of Massachusetts ski area Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, with the Sherman Adams Award last evening. The award is presented annually to an individual from an Eastern ski area who has significantly influenced the industry. It's named after the former governor of New Hampshire who was also the founder of Loon Mountain, N.H.

Fairbank came to Jiminy Peak as general manager in 1969, and by 1985, he had become co-owner of the resort along with Joe O'Donnell of Boston Culinary Group. O'Donnell says, "I knew Brian was different from the first day I met him 30 years ago. Long before it became fashionable, Brian insisted on excellence; excellence in service, excellence in facilities, excellence in everything. In the three decades as his partner, I've learned to appreciate his vision, and his commitment to our business and to an industry he loves so much and has served so well."

Jiminy Peak's vision, crafted by Fairbank and his team in the mid-1980s is, "to be the finest and most beautiful mountain resort in New England." This vision statement was the inspiration behind two 10-year strategic plans for expansion, the second of which is close to completion with the final building in the Village Center slated for completion in November 2005. Fairbank's consistent policy of annual capital improvements has made Jiminy Peak one of the most popular ski and snowboard destinations in New England, and it has matured from a small Berkshire day-trip area, into a "nearly world class resort" in the words of one NPR commentator.

Fairbank has been a leader in the ski industry for decades. He served as NSAA Chair from 2000 to 2002, and prior to that, had served as a committee chair and in other capacities during his many years of involvement with the organization. Fairbank has been honored as a lifetime member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA), after having served as an examiner from 1971 to 1986, and on the PSIA Demo team in the late 1960s. He has also received a distinguished service award from the National Ski Patrol (NSP). In 2004, he was invited to join the board of directors of the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame.