Our Team

Jody Churich is the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Breckenridge Ski Resort. She has served in the role since June 2021, overseeing all year-round resort operations at Breck for Vail Resorts’ Mountain Division, from lift operations and snowmaking to ski school, ticket sales and summer activities. Prior to taking the reins at Breck, she served as Vice President and General Manager at Keystone Resort from 2019-2021. She first joined Vail Resorts in 2018 as the Senior Director of Skier Services at Park City Mountain.

Jody has spent much of her career in the ski industry and has been a trailblazer for women in leadership, with a long track record of high-profile leadership roles in a historically male-dominated industry. Prior to joining Vail Resorts, Jody served as the Chief Operating Officer for Woodward Camps and Executive Vice President at POWDR, and before that, as President and General Manager of Boreal and Soda Springs Ski Resorts in North Lake Tahoe, as well as Woodward Tahoe. Since her start in the industry in 1990 as a ski instructor at Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley), she has amassed a broad depth and breadth of experience across ski and ride school, sales and marketing, and mountain operations.

Jody is passionate about outdoor sports, inclusivity and igniting a passion for the mountains and outdoor recreation in others. Locally in Summit County, Jody serves on the board of the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, which provides adaptive sports programs to people from all over the world, and The Summit Foundation, which provides leadership and resources to support critical community needs in Summit County, Colo.

Where did you grow up?

Northern California

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A lawyer

What is your first memory on skis/snowboard?

My first memory of skiing was in Tahoe. My parents dropped all five of us kids off at the ski resort and said, see you at 4pm! They went Nordic skiing and we all just hopped on the chairlift and started skiing.

When you’re not skiing or riding, what might we find you doing?

Yoga. Mountain biking. Hiking. SUP. Anything outside.

What is your favorite of Breck’s Five Peaks and why?

There is so much of the mountain I’m still learning and exploring, and with Five Peaks and nearly 3,000 acres, I feel like every day I find a new favorite area or line. Standing on top of Peak 8 and looking out over Whale’s Tail is pretty magical. The sheer beauty of standing on top of any one of our Five Peaks though truly takes my breath away.

What is your favorite spot in town?

Brooklyn’s for bubble hockey and foosball.

I love Breck because…

The people. Everyone has a similar appreciation for where we get to live and work. A true genuine love for the mountain lifestyle is contagious.

Marissa is the Senior Director of Mountain Dining at Breckenridge Ski Resort. She started in her current role in 2021, and oversees eight on-mountain restaurants, as well as the resort’s on-mountain wedding and events business. She works to drive the business in service standards, training, innovation and culinary execution.

Growing up in Northern California, Marissa has fond memories of family ski vacations at Mt. Shasta and Mt. Bachelor in Oregon, where her love of snow sports and the mountains flourished from a young age. Marissa began her career in the hospitality industry working multiple supervisory roles at The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club in La Jolla, Calif., while pursuing her college degree at San Diego State University.

Following college graduation, she went on to pursue her passion of snowboarding and moved to Colorado to work at Breckenridge Ski Resort, where she started as a seasonal Supervisor of Mountain Dining at TenMile Station in 2013. Marissa has held many positions within Breck Mountain Dining during her tenure, including serving as General Manager of TenMile Station and most recently as Senior Manager of Mountain Dining.

Marissa is passionate about supporting the resort, employees and the local community. She currently leads the resort’s Employee Experience team and served as the co-captain of our local Commitment to Zero sustainability efforts at Breck for many years. She is also on the board of the Dwight Brill Foundation, a non-profit that supports Breck Ski Resort employees who are in financial distress due to medical circumstances.

In her personal time, Marissa enjoys traveling (to the beach!), dining out, dancing, and adventuring outdoors with her husband, daughter and dog.

Where did you grow up?

Arcata, California

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I loved playing “Travel Agent” as a kid and always thought that would be a fun profession – my urge to explore and travel the world developed at a young age.

What is your first memory on skis/snowboard?

I have memories of being in ski school Mt. Shasta, the mountain I grew up skiing at. And fearlessly racing my big brother down the mountain!

When you’re not skiing or riding, where can we find you?

In the dance studio!

What is your favorite run or peak at Breckenridge and why?

I love hiking the Six Senses on Peak 6. It’s so magical up there on that ridgeline with an incredible 360-degree view!

What’s your favorite spot in town?

I love to wine and dine! I enjoy any restaurant in town where I can sit on a patio, enjoy incredible food, wine, service & a view of the mountain.

Favorite time of year at Breckenridge?

During the winter, Ullr Fest is one of my favorite times of year. This event brings so much fun and energy to town! I equally love the summertime in Summit County. It’s a beautiful time to get outside, hike the trails, go camping, get out on the lake and dine al fresco.

Something others may not know about you?

I grew up dancing competitively since I was 5 years old, and still love to dance today. Hip-hop is my favorite style because I love the music!

Kyle Murphy is the Senior Director of Skier Services at Breckenridge Ski Resort. Kyle started in this role in 2021, where he is tasked with overseeing all operations within the resort’s Ski & Snowboard School, in addition to scanning operations, guest services, childcare and summer activity operations at Epic Discovery.

Kyle has been with Vail Resorts since 2010, beginning his career with the company as a snowboard instructor at Keystone and working his way up to hold a variety of leadership roles within resort ski and snowboard schools. Prior to his current role, Kyle served as the Children’s Location General Manager at Breck from 2017-2019 before heading east to New England to take on the role of Director of Skier Services at Okemo Ski Resort in Vermont from 2019-2021. In December of 2021, Kyle returned home to Summit County and Breck.

Kyle graduated from the University of New Hampshire and has lived in Summit County for 10 years. Skiing & Riding have become a true family pastime for him, starting with his mother who first encouraged him to move to Keystone after his college graduation.

Where did you grow up?

Westborough, Massachusetts

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Not a clue!

What is your first memory on skis/snowboard?

Luckily, I had parents who were really passionate about skiing and snowboarding. They put me on skis at 2 years old. My first memory is actually riding the rope tow (real rope) at Bousquet’s in the Berkshires when I was 6 or 7.

My first memory snowboarding is much more vivid. I remember taking a snowboard lesson at Waterville Valley when I was 11 or 12. I was so frustrated about how hard it was I unstrapped my board and sent it down the learning area. It crashed into the base lodge. I got kicked out of the lesson!

When you’re not skiing or riding, where can we find you?

Hanging out at home with my two kids or playing golf at The River and Ranch Courses in Keystone.

What is your favorite run or peak at Breck and why?

It’s not exciting, but my favorite run is Volunteer to Shock on Peak 9. In my job, I spend a lot of time going back and forth between Peak 8 and Peak 9. I love the pitch on those two runs, the sometimes-variable conditions and the ability to play in the bumps.

What’s your favorite spot in town?

My favorite spot is the Base 9 Bar in the Beaver Run Conference Center. When I was new to Breckenridge, it was a great spot to grab drinks with friends after work, while always being pretty low key and mellow. My favorite food spot right now is Sancho’s. They have the best tacos for a great price.

I love Breck because...

Ultimately, I love the people I work with. Breck attracts and keeps a certain type of individual, and I’m proud to be a part of both the resort and community.

Favorite time of year in Breck?

April, end of ski season. I love the transition from winter to spring, the bluebird days with mid-winter snow conditions. As a resort, it’s also when we’re able to put on a lot of outdoor social activities which are always a good time.

Something others may not know about you?

I’m a history buff! I love reading and watching documentaries about any and all history. It was one of my majors in college and I love geeking out watching the History Channel for hours!

Jon Roberson became the Senior Manager of Health and Safety at Breckenridge Ski Resort in 2022. Jon manages both employee and guest safety at the resort, including safety programs, regulatory compliance, safety strategy, and OSHA compliance. He collaborates closely with the Mountain Safety Team and ski patrollers to monitor and enforce safety on the mountain, educate guests about the Skier Responsibility Code, and increase guest and employee awareness of safety initiatives.

Jon moved to Breckenridge in 1996 when he started teaching skiing at Peak 8. Since then, Jon has worked at each base area of Breckenridge Ski Resort and has also spent time at Keystone, working in ski school, ski patrol, hospitality and health & safety.

Jon’s career in the ski industry began right after school when he moved to Germany while working for the Armed Forces Recreation Centers in Garmisch – a Bavarian ski town, and Chiemsee – an alpine lake community outside of Munich. For the next 5 years, Jon taught skiing all over Europe, from Obertauern and Kitzbuehl in the Austrian Alps to the glaciers of Solden and Stubai to the sunny slopes of Italy and the staggering heights of the Trois Valles and Chamonix in France.

Born in Harrogate, England, to U.S. government employees, Jon grew up Columbia, Md. He still travels and especially enjoys trekking in the great mountains of the world with multiple trips to Nepal under his belt. Jon is married to longtime Summit County resident Kathryn Weldon and has two stepdaughters, Margaret and Lily. And he still skis on his days off!

Where did you grow up?

Columbia, Maryland

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Either a spy or a forest ranger.

What is your first memory on skis/snowboard?

Skiing down the hill in our front yard.

When you’re not skiing or riding, where can we find you?

Out west in the red, dusty lands, exploring.

What is your favorite run or Peak at Breckenridge and why?

South side of Peak 10. You have your own private resort out there.

What’s your favorite spot in town?

Hanging out at home on the patio with my wife, Kathryn.

Favorite time of year at Breckenridge?

Fall

Why do you love Breckenridge?

The access to recreation, the city, the Denver Airport and to what is still at its heart, a small town.

Something others may not know about you?

I was the 5th grade Hustle champion. If you know, you know.