Former Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz to be inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain have announced the 2024 inductees into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame. The class includes former Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz.

According to a release, “Katz became the CEO of Vail Resorts in 2006 and the ski industry hasn’t been the same since. It was Katz’s idea to develop a season pass program, and the industry-changing Epic Pass launched in 2008.

“Vail Resorts has (since) become the global leader in mountain resorts, growing its footprint from five to 41 resorts. The number of employees at (Vail Resorts’) Broomfield headquarters has increased from 200 to 1,200, along with employment growth at each resort. Katz and his wife, Elana, created the Katz Amsterdam Foundation with a focus on nonprofits in mountain communities that address mental and behavioral challenges. Over $22 million has been given back to the community through the Foundation … (Katz) stepped down as CEO in 2021 but remains on the board as executive chairman and continues to be fully involved in the strategic operations of the company.”

Other honorees this year are:

• Rose Andom, owner of several McDonald’s franchises and noted philanthropist. 
• Pat Hamill, founder of Oakwood Homes, one of the Denver area’s largest home-building firms.
• John A. Ikard, former CEO of FirstBank.  
• Steve Schuck, founder Schuck Communities, now Schuck Chapman Cos. The company continues to be a major developer of commercial, residential, industrial, and mixed-use projects in multiple markets.  
• Elizabeth Hickok Robbins Stone (1801-1895), one of the founders of the city of Fort Collins.  

These laureates will be inducted at the annual Colorado Business Hall of Fame dinner on Feb. 15 at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center. The ceremony will be hosted by Denver7’s Brian Sanders. 

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For more information, go to ColoradoBusinessHallofFame.org.