Our Mission
At Mt. Holiday, our mission is to foster community connection through accessible and affordable outdoor recreation in all four seasons. Guided by a steadfast commitment to our vision, we strive to develop a community-based, family-oriented, year-round recreational facility with a special emphasis on supporting disadvantaged youth.
Erin Hutt
Co-Chair President
Erin began her love affair with skiing in Northern Michigan at the age of 5 and has not looked back. She ski raced in high school and college (Go Green!), before moving to Aspen for a “year off” and a job as a ski instructor. Fast forward to 2021, Erin and her family moved to Traverse City where they discovered a home in Mt. Holiday, falling in love with its old lodge charm, accessibility to the community, and ability to provide all season outdoor recreation. Erin has since functioned as a ski instructor for Kiwanis, the Ski School Director and now passionate board member. When she’s not at the Hill skiing, biking, or hiking, Erin works as the Business Development and Sales Manager at a concierge medical practice out of Chicago and is a proud mother to her 4 year old daughter who seems to enjoy the outdoors just as much as she does.
Dan Ellis
Co-Chair President
Dan “Danny” Ellis is an avid skier and outdoor enthusiast who lives in
Traverse City with his wife, Katie, and their son, Howie. As an executive recruiter, or “headhunter,” Danny specializes in assisting businesses with organizational development, transition, and transformation. He holds a business administration degree from Western Michigan University and is a recovering CPA.
Dave Ferris
Secretary
Dave has lived in Acme Township since 1976. He joined The National Ski Patrol around 1982 as a candidate at Mt. Holiday and served as patrol director for a couple of years. His four children and five grandchildren have grown up at Mt. Holiday. Dave served on the Holiday Race Team (HRT) Board with one term as president while his kids were racing. He joined the Holiday Board of Directors in 2009 and is now serving his second term as secretary. His family has skied at Mt. Holiday since the 1970s. Currently, his son and grandson are HRT race coaches.
Dan Packer
Treasurer
Dan has been skiing at Mt. Holiday for over 15 years. Some of his best powder days have actually been right here on The Hill. Dan is grateful for how his kids have grown up at Mt. Holiday and their participation in the Holiday Race Team program. Dan brings a lot of passion and excitement for the current and potential ways Mt. Holiday can meet community recreation needs. Specifically, he likes how Mt. Holiday is offering unique programs that respond to or stay ahead of industry trends such as snow skating, downhill biking on snow, and the Basecamp program.
Theresa Galante
Member
Theresa Galante, a Traverse City native, returned to Holiday Hills in 2003 and became deeply involved in community leadership. With a background in finance and management, she served as Treasurer of the HRT Board and Executive Director of Mt. Holiday, transforming it into a year-round recreation area. Currently, Theresa is Business Manager and Equine Specialist at Peace Ranch, passionately contributing to Mt. Holiday’s future success.
Corey Phelps
Member
Corey and his wife Julia moved to Traverse City in 2005. He is the Vice President of Mortgage Lending for Guaranteed Rate. He holds an MBA from Western Michigan University. His non-profit experience includes being a Founding Member of the Old Mission Peninsula Education Foundation which was responsible for starting the Old Mission Peninsula School. His family is highly engaged with Mt. Holiday and considers it a second home. Not only did his twin daughters learn to ski as part of the Kiwanis Learn to Ski program but they also raced for the Holiday Race Team for 3 years. He joined the board to help assure that Mt. Holiday continues to be the community cornerstone it has been for over 75 years and that people of all ages can feel that they have a hill to call home.
Tom Hackney
Member
Tom is an attorney who manages the Traverse City office of Hackney Odium & Dardas, PLC. A Michigan native, Tom moved to Traverse City in 2016 after stints in Chicago and Denver and has been trying (unsuccessfully) to keep pace with his two children down the slopes of Mt. Holiday ever since. Once his kids became Holiday Race Team alumni, Tom joined the Holiday Board of Directors in 2023. His family continues to enjoy the Hill’s 45-acre campus during_all four seasons and he is excited to help promote and expand Mt. Holiday’s role in the community.
Karl Pagel
Member
Karl Pagel is a dedicated finance professional with extensive experience in banking and credit unions. As a board member of Mt. Holiday in Traverse City, he is committed to supporting the organization’s mission of providing accessible outdoor recreation for the community. With a passion for financial stewardship and strategic planning, Karl brings his expertise to help ensure the long-term success and sustainability of Mt. Holiday. An avid outdoor enthusiast, he values the role Mt. Holiday plays in fostering adventure and connection in Northern Michigan.
Kirk Ranney
Member
Drawn by its proximity to the big lake, miles of trails, and abundant lake effect snowfall, Kirk and his family moved to Traverse City in 2013. While living in New Mexico and Colorado he fell in love with skiing, mountain biking, trail running, and a host of other outdoor activities. The move to Michigan helped Kirk develop an affinity for small, community oriented ski hills; nothing fancy – an old lodge, a warm fire, and a place where families can stoke the love of skiing for the next generation. As a proud TCAPS educator and the principal at Blair Elementary, Kirk is deeply invested in elevating outdoor recreation opportunities for children and families. At Mt. Holiday, these two passions intersect. He is excited to help ensure that Mt. Holiday continues to fill the role as an outdoor oriented community space for years to come.