Face Shot: Jess McAvoy

Schweitzer’s ‘my home away from home’

Meet Lodging Operations Manager Jess McAvoy

It’s hard to beat the working conditions at Schweitzer for Jess McAvoy, who heads up Lodging Operations. That’s because of its proximity to the slopes, the open lines of communication with team members, and the memories that continue to be made in this special place. Here, McAvoy shares more about what it’s like to work at Schweitzer. What was your first job at Schweitzer?

Housekeeper

What did you learn from that job that prepared you for what you do now?

Oh man, so much! Time management, the importance of a positive attitude, and embracing mistakes. One of the biggest things, though, is the importance of communication. On a housekeeping team you work very closely with the same people day after day and sometimes emotions run high. I learned quickly that it’s better to talk out the frustrations, even if it’s tense. It saves so much miscommunication later on. Having an open channel of communication builds trust. If a team member is struggling, professionally or personally, I want them to be able to come to me so that we can work on a solution together. Why would you recommend working at the mountain?

Where else can you leave work, pop on a pair of skis or running shoes, and instantly enjoy one of the greatest recreation areas around? It’s a big playground up here, plus the people are amazing. Every employee, from frontline staff to our CEO, feels more like friends than a boss or a coworker. You don’t have to try too hard to fit in. You’re free to be who you want to be here, and I think that’s incredibly rare to find. What guest interaction has left the biggest impression on you?

I’m not sure I can choose just one, but there was a couple that came to visit for the first time three summers ago. They had to evacuate their home due to wildfires in their state, so they decided to make a vacation out of it and found us on a whim. When they got here, they had the most positive outlook on life, even though they didn’t know if they had a home to go to after they left. They come back occasionally, and I love to see them every time. They have helped me develop a better attitude towards the tough times that we all go through.

I also love seeing our regulars. We have quite a few families that come multiple times a winter, some come every weekend. I’ve seen their kids grow into young adults and that’s such a fun thing to be a part of. What does Schweitzer mean to you?

This is possibly the most cliché answer, but Schweitzer is my home away from home. I feel so comfortable on the mountain. I grew up here and have made a thousand memories of Schweitzer with my family. I walk out of my office, and I pass spots that hold such special meaning to me. I think I would feel a little bit incomplete without Schweitzer in my life.