40 under 40: Blair Butler, The Ridge Tahoe Resorts

Tahoe Chamber | May 22, 2018 | 40 Under 40

A motivated professional and individual, Blair Butler has not just one life mantra, but five. One of her favorites is: “if you never climb the mountain, you’ll never have a change of view.”

Since moving to the Tahoe area on just two-weeks notice in 2011, she’s done plenty of climbing both literally and figuratively. Blair climbed from Manager of Group Sales to Director of Group Sales at The Ridge Tahoe Resorts and has helped transform the group sales structure and offerings at The Ridge.

Congratulations to Blair Butler, the latest honoree of our 40 under 40 series!

Can you tell us a little about your responsibilities and accomplishments in your current position?

My aspiration when I first began as Manager of Group Sales in 2012 was to assist with the overall growth and development of The Ridge’s wedding business. With a strong organizational skill set and passion for planning, I am able to work alongside other Ridge managers and especially our catering and banquet staff. I re-designed our all-inclusive wedding packages, helped make improvements to our outdoor garden location, incorporated in-house wedding desserts and cakes, provided interior design assistance to our newly renovated reception space, and more!

I believe my attention to detail, calm demeanor with our couples, and persistent dreams to keep innovating and changing our catering and event product has helped lead to growth for the Ridge’s wedding business year after year. I also support the overall production and smooth processes of our daily operations for our events and in-house relationships with other pertinent departments such as food and beverage, engineering, housekeeping, front desk, and our reservations department.

What has been your favorite professional moment in the last year?

The Ridge Tahoe’s Group Sales department has seen a lot of growth since I first began in 2012. In 2016 I reached one of my highest sales goals. However, one of my proudest and most recent accomplishments includes transforming and changing our overall Group Sales structure and team. I finally feel accomplished with finding superior team members to work alongside. I’m ready to invest more time to our departments so our team of professional young women can grow and thrive, not only for the company but for our overall personal life and family goals.

Do you have a professional/life mantra that you try to live by?

I am a glass half full kind of gal, so living by just one life mantra or inspirational quote is kind of hard. I have adopted about five sayings:

My mind is incredibly powerful!
My heart is free; have the courage to follow it.
Life is a privilege, not a given right.
All I have is today.
If I never climb the mountain, I will never have a change of view.

What was your first job?

Technically, babysitting my nieces and nephews was one of the first jobs I held. I’ve held many jobs before reaching the age of 16. My parents modeled very strong work ethics and entrepreneurial skill sets! My father was a car salesman and insurance firm owner, and my mother owned a real estate company, gift shop, and craft bizarre business. At a very young age, my sister and I would assist my mom with the setup of her craft bizarre’s and cash and credit card handling at her guest check out. Though young, she trusted us. My first official job was working in a secondhand children’s retail shop. I feel most alive and thrive when I can make people happy and can build and see projects come together.

Why choose Tahoe to make your home and career?

I grew up in Southern California skiing and riding at Bear and Heavenly Mountains. I took several family trips to Tahoe as a child in the summer camping and skiing in the winters. I also participated in organized high-school ski trips riding at Heavenly and Kirkwood ski resorts. These fond memories of Tahoe are what led me back. I have always been an outdoor enthusiast and thrive when I am one with nature.

After finishing my degree in Human Development at Azusa Pacific University, I was in desperate need of an adventure. It was between Colorado and Tahoe. Tahoe was only a nine-hour drive from home, so I said why not? With less than two weeks notice, I packed up a moving truck and moved to South Lake Tahoe in the fall of 2011. After just a few weeks of relocating to Tahoe, I found the opportunity to work for The Ridge as their Group Sales Manager and I immediately fell in love with Tahoe’s slower pace of life and had no desire to return to San Diego. I have been established now with The Ridge for over six years and I plan to continue my career in wedding planning and tourism, raise my daughter in this totally awesome environment, and take advantage of being part of a caring community.

Are you active in any volunteer roles or community groups?

As time allows, I attend monthly South Lake Tahoe Wedding and Honeymoon Association (SLTWHA) meetings, Tahoe Regional Young Professionals and Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority gatherings, and volunteer at Zephyr Cove Elementary in my daughter’s classroom and fundraiser events. SLTWHA is a wonderful opportunity for networking and learning about other local Tahoe businesses that can be utilized by wedding couples who are selecting Tahoe as their wedding location. My favorite part of this organization is watching other local business being financially supported by tourism.

Life must include balance, so I also dedicate as much time as I can to my daughter, Emily. My parental golden rule is that anything my daughter needs (emotionally, academically, etc.), then I’ll do my very best to be there for her as I will never get these small moments and time back. At Emily’s ages of 4 & 5, I was involved with coaching her kiddie kicker’s soccer team and soon I will take on helping to lead her Girl Scouts Troop.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?

Adventures and travels! I love reading about destinations and the journey getting there. As not to waste any precious time, I aim to line up as many mini-weekend getaways as I possibly can to check out beaches, waterfalls, new hikes, cool mountains to ride, and opportunities to visit and be with family and loved ones. Our most recent journey was out to the Black Rock Desert to explore a 60-mile rocky road to a few amazing hot springs. When in Tahoe I walk, hike, go to the beach with my daughter and friends, swim, and relax. In the winter, I spend a majority of my free time out on the mountains snowboarding with my boyfriend Dylan and friends.

Where are your favorite South Shore stomping grounds?

My daughter attends Zephyr Cove Elementary so we love to bike and walk on the Meadow trail, which is next to Nevada State Beach, and we spend most of our summers at Round Hill Pines Beach because of its versatility for kids and adults. We’re also fortunate to have access to the Tahoe Rim Trail via the stagecoach area and love hiking from out our back door down to Heavenly Village for champagne brunch at Harrah’s or for a burger and a beer at California Burger, then take the bus back up Kingsbury to get home.

Get in touch with Blair today:
The Ridge Tahoe Resorts
775.588.3553 ext. 3160
Email Blair

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